Applied Chemical Engineering

Sedimentation based process development for Li2CO3 and Mg–K–Ca–PO4–SO4 fertilizer recovery from Aral Sea brine

Bakhodir Abdullayev

University of Economics and Pedagogy, Karshi, 180119, Uzbekistan; Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education, Ampara, 32000, Sri Lanka

Khojakbar Egamberdiyev

University of Economics and Pedagogy, Karshi, 180119, Uzbekistan

Jasur Makhmayorov

University of Economics and Pedagogy, Karshi, 180119, Uzbekistan

Anvar Khudaykulov

University of Economics and Pedagogy, Karshi, 180119, Uzbekistan

Muslimbek Tuxliyev

University of Economics and Pedagogy, Karshi, 180119, Uzbekistan

Luiza Turdiqulova

University of Economics and Pedagogy, Karshi, 180119, Uzbekistan

Fayzulla Rakhmatullayev

Tashkent State Technical University, Tashkent, 1000098, Uzbekistan

Murodullo Rakhimov

Tashkent Institute of Chemical Technology (TICT), Tashkent, 100001, Uzbekistan

Samugjon Nigmadjonov

Tashkent Institute of Chemical Technology (TICT), Tashkent, 100001, Uzbekistan

Ozoda Sheralieva

Tashkent Institute of Chemical Technology (TICT), Tashkent, 100001, Uzbekistan

Khusniddin Botirov

Asian Technology University, Karshi, 180119, Uzbekistan

Dilafruz Gulboyeva

Karshi State University, Karshi, 180119, Uzbekistan

Tulkin Skakarov

Almalyk Branch of the Scientific Research Technological University MISiS, Almalyk, 110100, Uzbekistan

Khusankhon Pulatov

Almalyk Branch of the Scientific Research Technological University MISiS, Almalyk, 110100, Uzbekistan

Durbek Abdurashidov

Karshi State Technical University, Karshi, 180119, Uzbekistan

Samadiy Murodjon

Karshi State Technical University, Karshi, 180119, Uzbekistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ace.v9i2.5918

Keywords: Aral Sea saline water; sodium hydrogen phosphate; sodium carbonate; lithium chloride; precipitation

---

Abstract

The high salinity of Aral Sea water, as well as high amounts of accompanying magnesium, potassium, and sulfate ions, significantly limit the rational use of these waters for lithium extraction. The effective separation of these impurities is a complex scientific and technological task that requires selective and economically justified solutions. The current study evaluates the feasibility of Aral Sea water purification using a chemical precipitation method for the removal of magnesium and potassium compounds and sulfate ions. The method is based on the selective precipitation of magnesium and potassium in the form of double phosphate salt KMgPO₄ using sodium hydrogen phosphate as the precipitating agent, with the precipitation of sulfate ions as calcium sulfate dihydrate. The key process variables, including reagent proportions, pH, temperature, and precipitation time, were examined and optimized to achieve maximum purification efficiency. The removal efficiency under the established optimal conditions reached 97.1% for magnesium compounds, 96.3% for potassium, and 93.4% for sulfate ions. The precipitates obtained had stable phase composition and good filtration properties, thus improving the technological feasibility of the proposed method. The findings confirm the high efficiency of the proposed method and its great potential for deep purification of highly mineralized waters.

---

References

[1]. Fatoki, O., Mohammed, H., Parupelli, S. K., Mathew, A., Kaur, M., Rehmat, A., Muhammed, S., Bastakoti, B. P., Desai, S. Review of Recent Advances in Lithium-Ion Batteries: Sources, Extraction Methods, and Industrial Uses. Batteries 2025; 11(12), 433. https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11120433

[2]. Parvizi, P., Jalilian, M., Amidi, A. M., Zangeneh, M. R., Riba, J.-R. From Present Innovations to Future Potential: The Promising Journey of Lithium-Ion Batteries. Micromachines (2025); 16(2), 194. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16020194

[3]. Abdullayev, B., Makhmayorov, J., Ro‘ziyeva, Z., Shabarova, U., Deng, T., Samadiy, M. Study of the mutual influence of components in the lithium nitrate–ammonium chloride–water system. New Materials, Compounds and Applications 2023; 7(3), 188-193.

[4]. Nikkhah, H., Ipekçi, D., Xiang, W., Stoll, Z., Xu, P., Li, B., McCutcheon J.R., Beykal, B. Challenges and opportunities of recovering lithium from seawater, produced water, geothermal brines, and salt lakes using conventional and emerging technologies. Chemical Engineering Journal 2024; 498, 155349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2024.155349

[5]. Hasan, M. A., Hossain, R., Sahajwalla, V. Critical metals (Lithium and Zinc) recovery from battery waste, ores, brine, and steel dust: A review. Process Safety and Environmental Protection 2023; 178, 976-994. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2023.08.069

[6]. Toba, A. L., Nguyen, R. T., Cole, C., Neupane, G., Paranthaman, M.P. US lithium resources from geothermal and extraction feasibility. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2021; 169, 105514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105514

[7]. Dessemond, C., Lajoie-Leroux, F., Soucy, G., Laroche, N., Magnan, J.-F. Spodumene: The Lithium Market, Resources and Processes. Minerals 2019; 9(6), 334. https://doi.org/10.3390/min9060334

[8]. Balaram, V., Santosh, M., Satyanarayanan, M., Srinivas, N., Gupta, H. Lithium: A review of applications, occurrence, exploration, extraction, recycling, analysis, and environmental impact. Geoscience Frontiers 2024; 15(5), 101868. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2024.101868

[9]. Meng, F., McNeice, J., Zadeh, S.S., Ghahreman, A. Review of lithium production and recovery from minerals, brines, and lithium-ion batteries. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review 2021; 42(2), 123-141. https://doi.org/10.1080/08827508.2019.1668387

[10]. Swain, B. Recovery and recycling of lithium: A review. Separation and Purification Technology 2017; 172, 388-403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2016.08.031

[11]. Ettehadi, A., Chuprin, M., Mokhtari, M., Gang, D., Wortman, P., Heydari, E. Geological insights into exploration and extraction of Lithium from oilfield produced-water in the USA: A Review. Energy & Fuels 2024; 38(12), 10517-10541. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.4c00732

[12]. Paranthaman, M. P., Li, L., Luo, J., Hoke, T., Ucar, H., Moyer, B. A., Harrison, S. Recovery of lithium from geothermal brine with lithium–aluminum layered double hydroxide chloride sorbents. Environmental science & technology 2017; 51(22), 13481-13486. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b03464

[13]. Song, J. F., Nghiem, L. D., Li, X. M., He, T. Lithium extraction from Chinese salt-lake brines: opportunities, challenges, and future outlook. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology 2017; 3(4), 593-597. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EW00020K

[14]. Talan, D., Huang, Q. A review study of rare Earth, Cobalt, Lithium, and Manganese in Coal-based sources and process development for their recovery. Minerals Engineering 2022; 189, 107897. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2022.107897

[15]. Będowska-Sójka, B., Górka, J. The lithium and oil markets–dependencies and volatility spillovers. Resources Policy 2022; 78, 102901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2022.102901

[16]. Zhao, X., Yang, H., Wang, Y., Sha, Z. Review on the electrochemical extraction of lithium from seawater/brine. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry 2019; 850, 113389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2019.113389

[17]. Marcinov, V., Klimko, J., Takáčová, Z., Pirošková, J., Miškufová, A., Sommerfeld, M., Dertmann, C., Friedrich, B., Oráč, D. Lithium Production and Recovery Methods: Overview of Lithium Losses. Metals 2023; 13(7), 1213. https://doi.org/10.3390/met13071213

[18]. An, J.W., Kang, D.J., Tran, K.T., Kim, M.J., Lim, T., Tran, T. Recovery of lithium from Uyuni salar brine. Hydrometallurgy 2012; 117, 64-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hydromet.2012.02.008

[19]. Tran, K.T. Van Luong, T. An, J.-W. Kang, D.-J. Kim, M.-J. Tran, T. Recovery of Magnesium from Uyuni Salar Brine as High Purity Magnesium Oxalate. Hydrometallurgy 2013; 138, 93-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hydromet.2013.05.013

[20]. Zhang, C., Mu, Y., Zhao, S., Zhang, W., Wang, Y. Lithium extraction from synthetic brine with high Mg2+/Li+ ratio using the polymer inclusion membrane. Desalination 2020; 496, 114710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2020.114710