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Wastewater Vacuum Evaporators For Lithium Extraction And Brine Concentration

Advanced Thermal Solutions for the Global Energy Transition

The Strategic Role of Vacuum Evaporation in Lithium Production

In the era of the global energy transition, lithium has earned the moniker "White Gold." As the primary component in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and grid-scale energy storage, the demand for high-purity lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide has skyrocketed. However, the extraction process—particularly from continental brines and geothermal sources—presents significant technical and environmental challenges. Wastewater Vacuum Evaporators have emerged as a cornerstone technology for Lithium Extraction and Brine Concentration, offering a path to high-yield, energy-efficient, and environmentally compliant production.

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Current Industrial Status

Traditionally, lithium extraction from brines relied heavily on massive solar evaporation ponds. While cost-effective in arid regions like the "Lithium Triangle" (Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia), this method is incredibly slow (taking 12 to 24 months) and has a low recovery rate (often below 50%). Furthermore, it consumes vast amounts of water through evaporation, impacting local ecosystems.

Modern industrial projects are shifting toward Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) and mechanical concentration systems. Vacuum evaporators, particularly those utilizing Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR), are now being deployed to accelerate concentration, reduce the physical footprint of mines, and achieve Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD).

Deep Application Scenarios in the Lithium Supply Chain

1. Raw Brine Pre-concentration

Before lithium can be precipitated as carbonate, the brine must reach a specific concentration threshold. Vacuum evaporators are used to remove water at lower temperatures, preventing the degradation of valuable minerals and reducing the scaling issues commonly associated with high-salinity fluids. This is critical for geothermal brines where heat must be managed carefully.

2. Lithium Carbonate/Hydroxide Crystallization

The final stages of battery-grade lithium production involve precise crystallization. Vacuum evaporators provide the controlled environment necessary to achieve high purity levels (99.5%+). By adjusting vacuum levels and heat input, manufacturers can control crystal size and morphology, which are vital for battery cathode performance.

3. Mother Liquor Recovery & ZLD

After lithium precipitation, the remaining "mother liquor" still contains residual lithium and other valuable salts like potassium and boron. Vacuum evaporation allows for the recovery of these by-products while recycling the water back into the process. This creates a closed-loop system, minimizing the environmental footprint of the refinery.

4. Battery Recycling Wastewater

As the first generation of EVs reaches end-of-life, battery recycling is becoming a massive industry. The hydrometallurgical recycling process generates complex wastewater streams containing heavy metals and high salt loads. MVR vacuum evaporators are essential for treating this wastewater, recovering clean water and concentrated metal salts for reuse.

About Us

Jiangsu Zongheng Concentration & Drying Equipment Co., Ltd. (formerly Yixing Yangxi Light Industry Machinery Factory), founded in 1992, is located in Zhoutie Town, Yixing City, on the shores of the beautiful Taihu Lake.

54000+

Land Area (sqm)

22000+

Workshop Area (sqm)

Jiangsu Zongheng is a modern high-tech enterprise specializing in the manufacturing of concentration, drying, starch industry, alcohol DDGS, and Category III medium & low-pressure vessel equipment. It is currently a member enterprise of the China Starch and Alcohol Association. Its products are widely used in industries such as food fermentation, alcohol, chemical, pharmaceutical, environmental protection, and petrochemical.

Jiangsu Zongheng Factory

Technological Trends in Brine Concentration

MVR vs. TVR Technology

Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) is becoming the gold standard for lithium concentration due to its exceptionally low energy consumption. By using a compressor to increase the energy of the secondary vapor, the system requires minimal external steam. Thermal Vapor Recompression (TVR) remains a viable, lower-CAPEX alternative for plants with surplus high-pressure steam.

Corrosion Resistance

Lithium brines are notoriously corrosive due to high chloride concentrations. Future trends involve the use of advanced materials like Titanium (Grade 2 or 12), Duplex Stainless Steel (2205/2507), and specialized coatings to extend equipment lifespan in harsh extraction environments.

AI & Smart Monitoring

Integration of AI-driven sensors allows for real-time monitoring of boiling point elevation (BPE) and scaling rates. This enables predictive maintenance and optimizes the cleaning-in-place (CIP) cycles, ensuring maximum uptime for 24/7 lithium refinery operations.

MULTIPLE CERTIFICATE VERIFICATION

In March 2002, the company took the lead in obtaining ISO9001:2015 international quality system certification. In August 2012, it acquired the ASME "U" Stamp authorization, marking the company's entry into a new phase of development. The company possesses strong R&D capabilities and advanced manufacturing processes, currently employing over 3 senior engineers and more than 20 engineers.

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Tube Bundle Dryers

The company's other main products include Tube Bundle Dryers, with design and manufacturing capabilities reaching 1600m² (making it a primary manufacturer of large tube bundle dryers). Other main products such as Single Screw Fiber & Germ Dehydrators and Wash Cyclones are recognized as high-quality products by starch manufacturers and the industry.

Evaporation Plants

Jiangsu Zongheng is always committed to exploration and innovation. Main products include evaporation plants, comprising Multi-Effect Evaporators, Thermal Vapor Recompressors (TVR), Waste Heat Evaporators, and Mechanical Vapor Recompressors (MVR). These are widely used for liquid concentration, including distillates, alcohol stillage, ammonium sulfate, corn steep liquor, and high-salinity wastewater.

The Business Case for High-Efficiency Vacuum Evaporators

Investing in advanced vacuum evaporation technology is not just an environmental choice—it's a critical business decision for lithium producers. As the market becomes more competitive, operational efficiency becomes the primary differentiator.

  • Reduced OPEX: By recycling latent heat, MVR systems can reduce energy costs by up to 80% compared to traditional single-effect evaporators.
  • Faster Time-to-Market: Mechanical concentration reduces the processing time from years (in solar ponds) to hours, allowing companies to respond rapidly to lithium price fluctuations.
  • ESG Compliance: Water scarcity is a major hurdle for mining permits. Our ZLD solutions enable 95%+ water recovery, making projects more palatable to regulators and local communities.

Our Partners

The company currently holds an absolutely leading position in evaporation technology and has extensive cooperation with many renowned large domestic group companies.

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Including: Meihua Group, Yihai Kerry, North China Pharmaceutical Group, Harbin Pharmaceutical, Qilu Pharmaceutical, Xiwang Group, and many more.

Conclusion: Future-Proofing Lithium Production

The transition to a low-carbon economy depends on the efficient extraction of lithium. Jiangsu Zongheng is at the forefront of this revolution, providing the heavy-duty evaporation and drying equipment needed to scale production sustainably. Our Wastewater Vacuum Evaporators are engineered to handle the most challenging brines, ensuring that the lithium industry can meet global demand without compromising environmental integrity.

While meeting domestic market demand, our DDGS alcohol equipment and tube bundle dryer series products have been exported to Russia and Southeast Asian markets. We are capable of providing professional technical support and after-sales service nationwide for our vast user base.

We warmly welcome friends from various industries, both domestic and international, to visit us for cooperation and mutual development!