I know you're smarter than that. Will have to start calling you AG if you keep misleading people like that.
It doesnt say they are adding HF. I think thats the point. If it was chorine, why wouldnt you say so? People are comfortable with that in their pools... If its bromine or iodine, the cost would be phenomenal.
Now F is very different to HF! The thing about F is it is highly electronegative and forms very strong bonds. In the micas, the F is bonded to other elements and is not available to form HF. I dare say that LIT thought that sulfuric acid + lepidolite = free HF... not the case Im afraid.
Now fluorspar (CaF2)is just as dangerous, because if you add that to sulfuric acid, that does =HF. Fluorsilicic acid - similar deal. Doesnt matter what precursor LIT use, they will need HF to crack the spodumene as no other acid will do it and any good metallurgist worth his salt will know this.
LIT Price at posting:
16.5¢ Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Not Held
