STUDI PENDAHULUAN: EKSTRAKSI LITIUM DARI FLUIDA PANAS BUMI DIENG MELALUI EKSTRAKSI PELARUT

Agus Wahyudi (R & D Centre for Mineral and Coal Technology)
Andina Septiarani (Testing Center for Mineral and Coal)
Hairunnisa (Testing Center for Mineral and Coal, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources)
Isyatun Rodliyah (Testing Center for Mineral and Coal)

Indonesian Mining Journal
Vol 26 No 1 (2023): Indonesian Mining Journal, April 2023

This preliminary study aims to obtain the lithium compounds from a geothermal brine through a solvent extraction. The brine samples were collected from PT Geodipa Energi Geothermal Power Plant in Dieng, Central Java, Indonesia. The ICP analysis was conducted to measure brine chemical composition. Brine’s lithium content was 62.73 ppm with the dominant impurities silica (Si), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), sodium (Na), and boron (B). Silica removal was conducted by centrifugation technic with the addition of flocculants, while calcium removal was achieved by adding sodium carbonate. The CYANEX® 936P was used for the extraction process and was diluted in kerosene (1:1 O/A ratio). The extraction pH was adjusted by adding 10% H2SO4 solution (acid condition) and 10% NH4OH (alkaline condition). The optimum condition for lithium extraction was observed at pH = 11, with the highest lithium recovery of 90%. The eluate from the stripping process was then precipitated by adding Na2CO3 to produce lithium carbonate powder.