Allkem selects TH's filtration technology for its Sal de Vida project

TH has been selected by Allkem lithium producer to develop and implement Sal de Vida” lithium production plant´s filtration solution. The production plant, under construction, is located in Hombre Muerto salt flat in north-western Argentina. This salt flat is part of the so-called "lithium triangle", which hosts about 54% of world's lithium resources. The Sal de Vida plant is expected to produce up to 25,000 tons of lithium carbonate per year, as well as 95,000 tons of potassium chloride.

The TH filtration plant will include two APNH 20 filter presses, which had been specifically designed for high-capacity filtration processes. A combination of different centrifugal pumps will be used to pump the slurry into the filter presses.

The first APNH filter press will be fitted with 156 filter plates and will produce more than 11.5 t/h. The filter press will allow to maximize lithium carbonate production by treating the slurry generated during the brine liming process. This slurry treatment will allow to recover different lithium carbonate small fractions that otherwise would have been discarded.

The second filter press will be used for lithium carbonate beneficiation during the brine softening process and will produce 1.6 t/h. The filter press will be equipped with a smaller number of filter plates due slurry´s specific characteristics.

The APNH filter press use a single hydraulic cylinder to open and close the filter press, maximizing their operation while reducing the space needed at the filtration plant. The equipment has been specifically designed to ease replacement of wear parts and lower energy consumption, which will help to reduce the operating costs.

Allkem, a company resulting from the recent merger of the two Australian lithium producers Orocobre and Galaxy Resources, is the fifth largest lithium producer globally. The company has various production plants in Australia, Argentina, Canada and Japan, and is immersed in an expansion plan that will allow it to triple its lithium production in the coming years.

More than 50 years of experience in filtration projects for the mining industry and the experience gained in recent filtration projects for lithium production plants have been decisive for Allkhem to trust in TH for this company's strategic project.