Systems and methods for minimizing external water use in lithium production

Abstract

The present invention relates to the extraction of lithium from liquid resources such as natural and synthetic brines, leachate solutions from clays and minerals, and recycled products.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MINIMIZING EXTERNAL WATER USE IN LITHIUM PRODUCTIONCROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 517,082 filed August 1, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Lithium is an essential element for high-energy rechargeable batteries and other technologies. Lithium can be found in a variety of liquid solutions, including natural and synthetic brines and leachate solutions from minerals and recycled products.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In one aspect, provided herein is a system for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the system comprising an extraction subsystem comprising a lithium-selective sorbent, wherein the extraction subsystem is configured to: a) contact the liquid resource or a treated liquid resource with the lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate; and contact an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution, wherein the lithium product is produced from the synthetic lithium solution.

[0004] In another aspect, provided herein is a system for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the system comprising: (i) an upstream subsystem configured to yield a treated liquid resource from the liquid resource; (ii) an extraction subsystem comprising a lithiumselective sorbent, wherein the extraction subsystem is configured to: a) contact the treated liquid resource with the lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate; and b) contact an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution; and (iii) a downstream subsystem configured to process the synthetic lithium solution to provide the lithium product and an effluent stream; wherein the upstream subsystem, the extraction subsystem, the downstream subsystem, or a combination thereof is configured to reduce or eliminate the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product.

[0005] In another aspect, provided herein is a system for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the system comprising: (i) an extraction subsystem comprising a lithiumselective sorbent, wherein the extraction subsystem is configured to: a) contact the liquid resource with the lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate; b) contact an aqueous wash solution with the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent toremove the liquid from the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent; and c) contact an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution; and (ii) an evaporation unit configured to collected water from the liquid resource or the raffinate, wherein the aqueous wash solution comprises the collected water, and wherein the evaporation unit comprises a mechanical evaporator.

[0006] In another aspect, provided herein is a system for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the system comprising: (i) an upstream subsystem configured to yield a treated liquid resource from the liquid resource; (ii) an extraction subsystem comprising a lithiumselective sorbent, wherein the extraction subsystem is configured to: a) contact the treated liquid resource with the lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate; and b) contact an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution; and (iii) a downstream subsystem configured to process the synthetic lithium solution to provide the lithium product and an effluent stream; wherein the upstream subsystem, the extraction subsystem, the downstream subsystem, or a combination thereof is configured to reduce or eliminate the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product; and wherein less than about 15 tonnes of external water are required to produce 1 tonne of lithium carbonate equivalents (ILCE) of the lithium product.

[0007] In another aspect, provided herein is a system for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the system comprising: (i) an upstream subsystem configured to: a) yield a treated liquid resource from the liquid resource; and b) reduce or eliminate the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product by collecting water from the liquid resource or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof; (ii) an extraction subsystem comprising a lithium-selective sorbent, wherein the extraction subsystem is configured to: a) contact the treated liquid resource with the lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate; and b) contact an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution; and (iii) a downstream subsystem configured to process the synthetic lithium solution to provide the lithium product and an effluent stream; wherein the upstream subsystem comprises an evaporation unit, wherein the evaporation unit is a mechanical vapor recompression unit, and wherein the mechanical vapor recompression unit is configured to collect water from the liquid resource or a portion thereof.

[0008] In another aspect, provided herein is a system for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the system comprising: (i) an upstream subsystem configured to yield a treated liquid resource from the liquid resource; (ii) an extraction subsystem comprising a lithium-selective sorbent, wherein the extraction subsystem is configured to: a) contact the treated liquid resource with the lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate; and b) contact an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution; and (iii) a downstream subsystem configured to: a) process the synthetic lithium solution to provide the lithium product and an effluent stream; and b) reduce or eliminate the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product by collecting water from the raffinate or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof, wherein the downstream subsystem comprises an evaporation unit, wherein the evaporation unit is a mechanical vapor recompression unit, and wherein the mechanical vapor recompression unit is configured to collect water from the raffinate or a portion thereof.

[0009] In another aspect, provided herein is a system for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the system comprising: (i) an upstream subsystem configured to yield a treated liquid resource from the liquid resource; (ii) an extraction subsystem comprising a lithiumselective sorbent, wherein the extraction subsystem is configured to: a) contact the treated liquid resource with the lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate; and b) contact an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution; and (iii) a downstream subsystem configured to: a) process the synthetic lithium solution to provide the lithium product and an effluent stream; and b) reduce or eliminate the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product by collecting water from the raffinate or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof; wherein the downstream subsystem comprises a reverse osmosis unit.

[0010] In one aspect, provided herein is a process for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the process comprising: (i) contacting the liquid resource or a treated liquid resource with a lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate; and (ii) contacting an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution, wherein the lithium product is produced from the synthetic lithium solution.

[0011] In another aspect, provided herein is a process for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the process comprising: (i) treating the liquid resource to yield a treated liquid resource from the liquid resource; (ii) contacting the treated liquid resource with a lithiumselective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate; (iii) contactingan eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution; and (iv) processing the synthetic lithium solution to provide the lithium product and an effluent stream; wherein the process reduces or eliminates the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product.

[0012] In another aspect, provided herein is a process for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the process comprising: (i) contacting the liquid resource with the lithiumselective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate; (ii) contacting an aqueous wash solution with the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to remove the liquid from the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent; (iii) contacting an eluent solution to the lithiated lithiumselective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution; (iv) providing an evaporation unit; and (v) collecting water from the liquid resource or the raffinate using the evaporation unit to provide collected water; wherein the aqueous wash solution comprises the collected water, wherein the evaporation unit comprises a mechanical evaporator, and wherein the lithium product is produced from the synthetic lithium solution.

[0013] Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description, wherein only illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described. As will be realized, the present disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0014] All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. To the extent publications and patents or patent applications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosure contained in the specification, the specification is intended to supersede and / or take precedence over any such contradictory material.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The novel features of the disclosure are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present disclosure will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the disclosure are utilized, and the accompanying drawings (also “Figure” and “FIG.” herein), of which:

[0016] FIG. 1 provides a system, which when in operation can carry out processes for lithium production from a liquid resource according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Operation of the system as depicted can comprise the generation (e.g., collection) of recovered water (e.g., collected water) from wastewater stream 1031 by reverse osmosis system 104, thereby allowing for the system to be operated in the absence of an external water source.

[0017] FIG. 2 provides a system, which when in operation can carry out processes for lithium production from a liquid resource according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Operation of the system as depicted comprises the generation (e.g., collection) of recovered water (e g., collected water) from a lithium-depleted brine 2013 by evaporation system 202, thereby allowing for the system to be operated in the absence of an external water source.

[0018] FIG. 3 provides a system, which when in operation can carry out processes for lithium production from a liquid resource according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Operation of the system as depicted comprises the generation (e.g., collection) of recovered water (e g., collected water) from a lithium-depleted brine 3013 by evaporation system 302, thereby allowing for the system to be operated in the absence of an external water source.

[0019] FIG. 4 provides a system, which when in operation can carry out processes for lithium production from a liquid resource according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Operation of the system as depicted comprises the generation (e.g., collection) of recovered water (e g., collected water) from lithium-depleted brine 4014 and high salinity retentate 4042 by evaporation system 402, from synthetic lithium solution 4012 by system 403, and from used wash water 4016 by water recovery system 404, thereby allowing for the system to be operated in the absence of an external water source.

[0020] FIG. 5 provides a system, which when in operation can carry out processes for lithium production from a liquid resource according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Operation of the system as depicted comprises the generation (e.g., collection) of recovered water (e.g., collected water) from lithium-depleted brine 5014 and high salinity retentate 5042 by evaporation system 502, from synthetic lithium solution 5012 by system 503, and from used wash water 5016 by water recovery system 504, thereby allowing for the system to be operated in the absence of an external water source.

[0021] FIG. 6 provides a system for extracting lithium from a liquid resource. The system featuring a filter press. Tithium is extracted from a subsurface brine (e.g., a liquid resource) using a lithium-selective ion exchange device 601. Wash water 6011 is supplied to the lithium extraction system for washing of ion exchange beads. Specifically, water (e.g., an aqueous washsolution) is used in lithium extraction system 601 to wash brine entrained in the ion exchange beads, before lithium is eluted from said beads to produce the synthetic lithium solution. The lithium extraction device 601 comprises a filter press filled with a lithium-selective ion exchange material. A low salinity water stream 6013 can be used to wash entrained brine in the extraction step, or can be processed through low-energy water recovery systems such as reverse osmosis, to recover water for subsequent reuse in the lithium production system.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Lithium is an essential element for batteries and other technologies. Lithium is found in a variety of liquid resources, including natural and synthetic brines and leachate solutions from minerals, clays, and recycled products. Lithium is optionally extracted from such liquid resources using an ion exchange process based on inorganic ion exchange materials. These inorganic ion exchange materials absorb lithium from a liquid resource while releasing hydrogen, and then elute lithium in acid while absorbing hydrogen. This ion exchange process is optionally repeated to extract lithium from a liquid resource and yield a synthetic lithium solution. The synthetic lithium solution is optionally further processed into chemicals for the battery industry or other industries.

[0023] The present disclosure provides processes and systems for lithium production from liquid resources. In some embodiments, the processes and systems utilize lithium-selective ion exchange. In some embodiments, the processes and systems do not require a source of fresh water, and obtain all water required for the system or process by recovering water from the liquid resource and / or one or more aqueous process streams derived therefrom. In some embodiments, an aqueous process stream comprises a raffinate, a synthetic lithium solution, a used aqueous wash solution, a mother liquor, a retentate, a permeate, a filtrate, or a combination thereof.Key Terms and Definitions

[0024] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an agent” includes a plurality of such agents, and reference to “the cell” includes reference to one or more cells (or to a plurality of cells) and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. When ranges are used herein for physical properties, such as molecular weight, or chemical properties, such as chemical formulae, all combinations and subcombinations of ranges and specific embodiments therein are intended to be included. The term“about” when referring to a number or a numerical range means that the number or numerical range referred to is an approximation within experimental variability (or within statistical experimental error), and thus the number or numerical range, in some instances, will vary between 1% and 15% of the stated number or numerical range. The term “comprising” (and related terms such as “comprise” or “comprises” or “having” or “including”) is not intended to exclude that in other certain embodiments, for example, an embodiment of any composition of matter, composition, method, or process, or the like, described herein, “consist of’ or “consist essentially of’ the described features.

[0025] The terms “lithium”, “lithium ion”, and “Li+” are used interchangeably in the present specification and these terms are synonymous unless specifically noted to the contrary. The terms “hydrogen”, “hydrogen ion”, “proton”, and “H+” are used interchangeably in the present specification and these terms are synonymous unless specifically noted to the contrary.

[0026] As used herein, the words “column” and “vessel” are used interchangeably. In some embodiments described herein referring to a “vessel”, the vessel is a column. In some embodiments described herein referring to a “column”, the column is a vessel.

[0027] The term “the pH of the system” or “the pH of’ a component of a system, for example one or more tanks, vessels, columns, pH modulating units, or pipes used to establish fluid communication between one or more tanks, vessels, columns, or pH modulating units, refers to the pH of the liquid medium contained or present in the system, or contained or present in one or more components thereof. In some embodiments, the liquid medium contained in the system, or one or more components thereof, is a liquid resource. In some embodiments, the liquid medium contained in the system, or one or more components thereof, is a brine. In some embodiments, the liquid medium contained in the system, or one or more components thereof, is an acid solution, an aqueous solution, a wash solution, a salt solution, a salt solution comprising lithium ions, or a lithium-enriched solution. As used herein, pH is equal to the negative logarithmic value of the concentration of protons in the aqueous solution. The pH of the solutions described herein are preferably determined with a pH probe. However, many of the solutions described herein comprise high concentrations of ions (e.g., sodium) that are known to interfere with pH probe sensors. Therefore, solutions with high ion concentrations can lead to shifted readings. In such cases, pH probe values are confirmed by diluting the test solution, for example by 10X or 100X, and remeasuring via pH probe to ensure that the change in pH is consistent with the change in concentration of protons. Alternative methods of pH determination include chemical tests such as titration with colored indicators or litmus tests.

[0028] The term “concentration”, as used herein, refers to the amount of a chemical species within a given amount of liquid. In some embodiments, said concentration can be specified asthe mass of a species dissolved in an amount of liquid (e.g. mg / L), or the number of moles of a species dissolved in an amount of liquid (e g. mol / L). In some embodiments, concentration can be specified by the ratio of moles or mass of the species of interest to one or more other species dissolved in the same liquid. In some embodiments, only the mass concentration of an ionic species is stated; for example, a concentration of sodium (Na) is stated to be 100 milligrams per liter (mg / L). In such cases, the stated concentration refers to the mass concentration of the ion in solution, and does not include the mass of the anion; in the example stated above, such an ion may comprise chloride (C1‘), nitrate (NCh ), or sulfate (SC>42').

[0029] As used herein, the term “synthetic lithium solution” describes a solution comprising lithium that is not present in nature and obtained by a process for processing, refining, recovering or purifying lithium. In some embodiments, a synthetic lithium solution can be yielded by placing an acid into contact with a lithium-selective sorbent. In some embodiments, a synthetic lithium solution is a lithium eluate. In some embodiments, a synthetic lithium solution is used in place of a liquid resource. In some embodiments, a synthetic lithium solution is combined with a liquid resource. In some embodiments, a synthetic lithium solution is a leachate solution (e g., a leachate of one or more ores, a leachate of one or more minerals, a leachate of one or more clays, a leachate of waste or recycled materials comprising lithium). In some embodiments, a synthetic lithium solution is a brine concentrated by solar evaporation.

[0030] The term “direct lithium extraction,” as used herein, refers to a process involving the sorption or adsorption of lithium from solution. Direct lithium extraction can be carried out with a lithium-selective sorbent. A lithium-selective sorbent can comprise an ion exchange material.

[0031] The term “eluent,” as used herein, refers to a liquid input to employed for the removal of lithium from a lithium-selective sorbent. An eluent can be acidic. An eluent that has been placed in contact with a lithium-selective sorbent that releases lithium into the eluent is a lithium eluate. A lithium eluate is a synthetic lithium solution. In some embodiments, a synthetic lithium solution is a lithium eluate. In some embodiments, wherein the lithium-selective sorbent is an ion exchange material than has been exposed to a liquid resource comprising lithium, the eluent is an acidic solution. In such cases, the protons of the acidic eluent displace the lithium on the ion exchange material to yield a synthetic lithium solution.

[0032] As used herein, the term “lithium purity” refers to the chemical purity of a lithium chemical, lithium compound, or a solution that comprises lithium or a lithium compound. In some embodiments, lithium purity can be expressed as the percentage of lithium in a solution as on the basis of the total metal ion content of the solution. In some embodiments, lithium purity is expressed in terms of the quantities or percentages of specific impurities that may be present in a lithium compound or a solution that comprises lithium.

[0033] As used herein, the term “process fluid” or “process stream” refers to any liquid or solution that used in any step or process according to the methods and systems described herein. In some embodiments, the process fluid is the liquid resource. In some embodiments, the process fluid is the raffinate. In some embodiments, the process fluid is water. In some embodiments, the process fluid is acid (e.g., an acidic solution, a solution comprising acid). In some embodiments, the process fluid is base (e g., a basic solution, a solution comprising base).

[0034] As used herein, the term “buffer” refers to a solution that can resist pH change upon the addition of an acidic or basic components. A buffer can neutralize small amounts of added acid or base, thus maintaining the pH of a solution comprising the buffer In some embodiments, a buffer is a solution comprising a weak acid and a salt of the corresponding conjugate base. In some embodiments, a buffer is a solution comprising a weak base and a salt of the corresponding conjugate acid. A non-limiting example of a buffer is a solution of boric acid and sodium hydroxide.

[0035] The term “mother liquor,” as used herein, is a liquid byproduct of a process for the generation of solid lithium carbonate from a lithium-containing solution. Mother liquor as described herein is an aqueous solution that comprises lithium and additional salts.

[0036] In some embodiments of the systems and methods and processes disclosed herein, an ion exchange material is contacted with a liquid resource comprising lithium. The lithium in the liquid resource is absorbed by the ion exchange material to yield an enriched ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the enriched ion exchange material contains a higher lithium content then the ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material is a protonated ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the protonated ion exchange material is contacted with a liquid resource comprising lithium. The lithium in the liquid resource is absorbed via an ion exchange process to yield a lithiated ion exchange material. In some cases, the terms "enriched ion exchange material" and "lithiated ion exchange material" are used interchangeably.

[0037] In some embodiments, the chemical formula of the ion exchange material may vary throughout the ion exchange systems and processes described herein in terms of hydrogen and lithium stoichiometries, as the ion exchange materials readily exchange lithium and hydrogen depending on the aqueous solutions and gases that the ion exchange material is exposed to. In addition, fully lithiated or fully protonated ion exchange materials may not be the most stable form of the material, and is therefore commercially sold as another form. For example, many commercially available ion exchange materials benefit from an activation step or an initial treatment in which the material is wetted and activated with an acid wash to produce an ion exchange material that is in an ideal state for lithium absorption (termed pre-activated ionexchange materials herein). In some embodiments, the term “protonated ion exchange material” refers to material that has been activated and is capable of absorbing lithium. In some embodiments, the protonated ion exchange material is at least partially protonated. In some embodiments, the protonated ion exchange material is fully protonated. Following exposure to a liquid resource comprising lithium, the protonated ion exchange material absorbs lithium and releases hydrogen to form the lithiated ion exchange material. The stoichiometries of the ion exchange material and the lithiated ion exchange material may vary with both the lithium concentration of the liquid resource and the pH of the acidic solution. Therefore, in some embodiments, the material is in part best described by the solution or alternate phase the material has been exposed to most recently. As such, the term “ion exchange material” is meant to include the various states that the material may exist as throughout the ion exchange and preparatory process In some embodiments, an ion exchange material comprises a protonated ion exchange material, a lithiated ion exchange material, and a pre-activated ion exchange material.

[0038] In some embodiments, the ion exchange material may benefit from an activation process. An ion exchange material that benefits from an activation process is termed “preactivated ion exchange material.” In some embodiments, the pre-activated ion exchange material is selected from an oxide, a phosphate, an oxyfluoride, a fluorophosphate, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the pre-activated ion exchange material is selected Li4MnsOi2, Li4Ti50i2, U2MO3 (M = Ti, Mn, Sn), LiM Ch, Li1.6Mm.6O4, HMO2 (M = Al, Cu, Ti), Li4TiO4, Li?TinO24, Li3VO4, Li2Si3O?, LiFePO4, LiMnPO4, Li2CuP2O?, A1(OH)3, LiCl.xAl(OH)3.yH2O, SnO2.xSb2O5.yH2O, TiO2.xSb2O5.yH2O, solid solutions thereof, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the pre-activated ion exchange material is selected from the following list: Li4Mn50i2, Li4TisOi2, Li1.6Mn1.sO4, Li2MO3 (M = Ti, Mn, Sn), LiFePO4, solid solutions thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0039] In some embodiments, the processes described herein utilize lithium-selective sorbents that are exposed to a liquid resource and an acidic solution over the course of two or more cycles. The lithium-selective sorbent can be a protonated ion exchange material following exposure to an acidic solution that subsequently yields a lithiated ion exchange material following exposure to a liquid resource. Although the lithium-selective sorbents described herein are expressed as compounds with discrete stoichiometries, it should be understood that variable amounts of lithium ions and / or hydrogen ions are envisioned in each ion exchange material during the cyclic ion exchange processes described herein. For example, the lithiumselective sorbent that is the ion exchange material Li4TisOi2 may be Li4TisOi2, LisHTisOn, Li2H2TisO 12, LiH3Ti50i2, orH4Ti5Oi2. Combinations of such states are also envisioned, and may be expressed as averages, for example Li21H1 s TisOn, Li22Hi.8TisOi2, Li23Hi.7TisOi2,Li^Hi.eTisOn, etc. Applicant envisions that the lithium-selective sorbents that are the ion exchange materials listed below comprise the chemical entity listed, each compound that replaces one lithium ion for one hydrogen ion, and any combination of such states: Li4MnsOi2, i4TisOi2, U2MO3 (M = Ti, Mn, Sn), LiM Ch, Li1.6Mm.6O4, HMO2 (M = Al, Cu, Ti), Li4TiO4, Li?TinO24, LisVO4, Li2SisO7, LiFePO4, LiMnP04, and Li2CuP2O?.

[0040] In some embodiments, lithium-selective sorbent comprises an ion exchange material. In some embodiments, an ion exchange material comprises a chemical compound capable of exchanging lithium and hydrogen ions. In some embodiments, ion exchange material comprises a chemical compound capable of ion exchange of lithium and hydrogen, wherein the ion exchange material will uptake lithium selectively as opposed to uptaking other metals or metal ions (e.g., sodium, potassium, magnesium, other metal ions present in liquid resources). In some embodiments, ion exchange material is in the form of ion exchange particles. In some embodiments, ion exchange material or ion exchange beads comprise a coating material. In some embodiments, ion exchange material or ion exchange beads do not comprise a coating material. In some embodiments, ion exchange material is in the form of ion exchange beads. In some embodiments, ion exchange beads are porous.

[0041] The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described or preclude the combination of the subject matter of the disclosure under any one section heading with any other subject matter of the disclosure under any other section heading or any other subject matter of the disclosure. Embodiments described herein with any one or more features can be readily combined with the features of any embodiments described further herein. Embodiments described herein are not limiting so as to wholly describe all embodiments of the disclosure.Ion Exchange Materials, Particles, and Beads

[0042] In an aspect, disclosed herein are methods and systems for lithium recovery from a liquid resource. In some embodiments, producing a lithium product from a liquid resource comprises lithium recovery. In some embodiments, a system, a method, or a process for lithium recovery from a liquid resource may be employed in a system, a method, or a process for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource. In some embodiments, the methods and systems disclosed herein utilize ion exchange materials. In some embodiments, an ion exchange material is utilized in a variety of forms or as a constituent of a construct that comprises one or more ion exchange materials. In some embodiments, an ion exchange material is utilized in a form that specifically enables or optimizes the performance of the method or system in which the ion exchange material is utilized. In some embodiments, an ion exchange material is utilizedas a constituent of a construct that specifically enables or optimizes the performance of the method or system in which the ion exchange material is utilized. In some embodiments, ion exchange materials are coated. In some embodiments, ion exchange materials comprise a lithium-selective sorbent.

[0043] In some embodiments, ion exchange material is in the form of ion exchange particles. In some embodiments, ion exchange material is in the form of uncoated ion exchange particles. In some embodiments, ion exchange material is in the form of coated ion exchange particles. In some embodiments, ion exchange particles are coated or uncoated. In some embodiments, ion exchange particles are utilized as a mixture that comprises coated ion exchange particles and uncoated ion exchange particles. In some embodiments, ion exchange particles comprise one or more ion exchange materials. In some embodiments, ion exchange particles comprise a lithiumselective sorbent.

[0044] In some embodiments, ion exchange beads are a construct that comprises ion exchange material that can be used according to the methods and systems described herein. In some embodiments, ion exchange beads comprise ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material is coated or uncoated. In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads are porous. In some embodiments, ion exchange beads comprise one or more ion exchange materials. In some embodiments, ion exchange beads comprise a lithium-selective sorbent.

[0045] Ion exchange beads can have diameters less than about one millimeter, contributing to a high pressure difference across a packed bed of ion exchange beads as a liquid resource and other fluids are pumped through the packed bed by application of an appropriate force. To minimize pressure across the packed bed of ion exchange beads and to minimize the associated appropriate force and amount of energy associated with applying said appropriate force, vessels with optimized geometries can be used to reduce the flow distance through the packed bed of ion exchange beads. These vessels can be networked with pH modulation units to achieve adequate control of the pH of the liquid resource.

[0046] In some embodiments, a network of vessels loaded with ion exchange beads comprises two vessels, three vessels, four vessels, five vessels, six vessels, seven vessels, eight vessels, nine vessels, 10 vessels, 11 vessels, 12 vessels, 13-14 vessels, 15-20 vessels, 20-30 vessels, 30-50 vessels, 50-70 vessels, 70-100 vessels, or more than 100 vessels.

[0047] In some embodiments, ion exchange material, or a form thereof, or a construct comprised thereof, is loaded into an ion exchange device described herein. In some embodiments, an ion exchange device comprises a column, tank, or vessel. In some embodiments, an ion exchange device is a component of a system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource. Alternating flows of liquid resource, eluent, and other process fluids areoptionally flowed through an ion exchange device to extract lithium from the liquid resource and produce a synthetic lithium solution, which is eluted from the ion exchange device using an eluent. As liquid resource flows through the ion exchange device, the ion exchange material absorb lithium while releasing hydrogen, where both the lithium and hydrogen are cations. After the ion exchange material have absorbed lithium, an eluent is used to elute the lithium from the ion exchange material to produce a lithium eluate. A lithium eluate can be a synthetic lithium solution according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, an eluent comprises acid or an acid eluent.

[0048] Lithium is an essential element for batteries and other technologies. Lithium is found in a variety of liquid resources, including natural and synthetic brines and leachate solutions from minerals, clays, and recycled products. Lithium can be extracted from such liquid resources using an ion exchange process that utilizes ion exchange materials. In some embodiments, ion exchange beads comprise ion exchange materials in addition to other components. In some embodiments, ion exchange beads are utilized in methods for lithium recovery and systems for lithium recovery. Ion exchange materials can absorb lithium from a liquid resource while releasing hydrogen, and then elute lithium in acid while absorbing hydrogen. In methods for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the ion exchange process can be repeated to extract lithium from a liquid resource and yield a synthetic lithium solution. The synthetic lithium solution can be further processed into chemicals for the battery industry or other industries.

[0049] In some embodiments, ion exchange particles comprise ion exchange materials. Ion exchange particles can be in the form of small particles, which together constitute a fine powder. Small sizes of ion exchange particles may be required to minimize the diffusion distance that lithium must travel to reach the core of the ion exchange particles and ensure the entirety of the ion exchange material within the ion exchange particle is utilized in the course of an ion exchange process or method for lithium recovery. In some cases, ion exchange particles are coated with coating materials that can minimize dissolution of the ion exchange particles while allowing efficient transfer of lithium and hydrogen to and from the ion exchange particles.

[0050] One major challenge for methods of lithium recovery from a liquid resource that comprise use of ion exchange particles is the loading of the ion exchange particles into an ion exchange device in such a way that liquid resource and acid flow through the ion exchange device with minimal clogging. Thus, ion exchange material and / or ion exchange particles can be formed into ion exchange beads that can be loaded into an ion exchange device. In some embodiments, ion exchange beads comprise ion exchange materials in addition to other components and can be utilized in methods for lithium recovery and systems for lithiumrecovery. The ion exchange beads, as loaded into an ion exchange device, can be loaded such that void spaces are present between the ion exchange beads, and these void spaces can facilitate flow of liquids through the column. In some embodiments, a flow is initiated, modulated, or terminated by pumping. In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads hold their constituent ion exchange particles in place and prevent free movement of ion exchange particles throughout the ion exchange device.

[0051] When ion exchange material is formed into ion exchange beads, the penetration of liquid resource and acid into the ion exchange beads by convention and diffusion can become unacceptably slow. A slow rate of convection and diffusion of the acid and liquid resource into the ion exchange beads can slow the kinetics of lithium absorption and release thereby. Slow kinetics of lithium absorption and release can create problems for the operation of an ion exchange device. Slow kinetics of lithium absorption and release can consequently require correspondingly slow flow rates through an ion exchange device. Slow kinetics of lithium absorption and release can also lead to low lithium recovery from the liquid resource and inefficient use of acid to elute the lithium according to the methods and systems described herein.

[0052] In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads comprise networks of pores that facilitate the transport of liquids flowed through an ion exchange device into the ion exchange beads. The geometry and physical dimensions of pore networks in ion exchange beads can be strategically controlled to allow for faster and more complete access of liquid resource, washing water, acid, and other process fluids into the interior of the ion exchange bead. Faster and more complete access of liquid resource, washing water, acid, and other process fluids into the interior of the ion exchange bead leads to a more effective delivery lithium and hydrogen to the ion exchange material therein. More effective delivery of lithium and hydrogen to the ion exchange material within an ion exchange bead can lead to greater lithium recovery according to the methods and systems described herein.

[0053] In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads are formed by mixing of ion exchange material, a structural matrix material, and a filler material. In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads are formed by mixing of ion exchange material and a structural matrix material. In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads are formed by mixing of ion exchange material and a structural matrix material. In some embodiments, the components of an ion exchange bead combined to form a physical mixture or a composite. In some embodiments wherein an ion exchange bead comprises a filler material, the filler material can be removed therefrom to form network of pores therein and yield a porous ion exchange bead. The filler material is dispersed in the bead in such a way to leave behind a pore structure that enables transport of lithium andhydrogen with fast kinetics. In some embodiments, an ion exchange bead comprises one or more ion exchange materials, one or more structural matrix materials, and one or more filler materials.

[0054] Ion exchange beads according to embodiments as described herein can be porous ion exchange beads.

[0055] Another challenge to consider and overcome in a method or system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource using ion exchange materials is the undesired dissolution and degradation of the ion exchange materials. Undesired dissolution and degradation of the ion exchange materials can occur during a step comprising lithium elution from the ion exchange material in acid. Undesired dissolution and degradation of the ion exchange materials can occur during a step comprising lithium extraction from a liquid resource by the ion exchange material. In some embodiments, to yield a synthetic lithium solution from the ion exchange process it is desirable to use a concentrated acid solution as an acid eluent in a step comprising lithium elution from the ion exchange material. However, concentrated acid solutions dissolve and degrade ion exchange materials, which can decrease the performance and useful lifetime of the materials. Therefore, in some embodiments the ion exchange beads contain coated ion exchange particles that are comprised of an ion exchange material and a coating material. The coating material can protect the ion exchange material from undesired dissolution and degradation during lithium elution from the ion exchange material into acid, during lithium uptake from a liquid resource into the ion exchange material, and during other steps of an ion exchange process according to the methods and systems described herein. In some embodiments, use of ion exchange beads that comprise coated ion exchange particles allows for the use of a concentrated acid as an acid eluent to yield a synthetic lithium solution.

[0056] In one aspect described herein, an ion exchange material is selected for use in ion exchange beads based on one or more properties of the ion exchange material. In some embodiments, desirable properties of the ion exchange material comprise high lithium absorption capacity, high selectivity for lithium extraction from a liquid resource relative to extraction of other ions such as sodium and magnesium, strong lithium uptake in liquid resources including those with low concentrations of lithium, facile elution of lithium with a small excess of acid, fast ionic diffusion throughout the ion exchange material, combinations thereof, and sub-combinations thereof. In one aspect described herein, a coating material is selected for use as a coating for ion exchange particles based on its ability to prevent undesirable dissolution and chemical degradation of the ion exchange particles during lithium elution from the ion exchange particles in acid and also during lithium uptake by the ion exchange particles from liquid resources. In some embodiments, the coating material is selected to facilitate one or more of the following objectives: using a coating material that has minimal negative impacts onthe diffusion of lithium and hydrogen between the ion exchange material within the ion exchange particles and the liquid resource, enabling adherence of the ion exchange particles to a structural support or structural matrix material, and suppressing structural and mechanical degradation of the ion exchange particles.

[0057] In some embodiments, wherein ion exchange beads are used in an ion exchange device, the liquid resource containing lithium is flowed through the ion exchange device so that the ion exchange beads absorb lithium from the liquid resource while releasing hydrogen. After the ion exchange beads have absorbed lithium, an acid is pumped through the ion exchange device so that the ion exchange beads release lithium into the acid while absorbing hydrogen. In some embodiments, the ion exchange device is operated in a co-flow mode wherein the liquid resource and acid are alternately flowed through the ion exchange device in the same direction. In some embodiments, the ion exchange device is operated in counter-flow mode wherein the liquid resource and acid are alternately flowed through the ion exchange device in opposite directions. In some embodiments, in between flows of the liquid resource and flows of acid, water or other solutions is flowed through the ion exchange device for purposes such as adjusting pH in the ion exchange device or removing potential contaminants. In some embodiments, ion exchange beads form a fixed bed or a moving bed, wherein the moving bed can move in a direction opposed to the flows of liquid resource and acid. In some embodiments, ion exchange beads are moved between multiple ion exchange devices, wherein the ion exchange beads form a moving bed that can be transferred from one ion exchange device to another. In some embodiments, ion exchange beads are moved between multiple ion exchange devices, wherein different ion exchange devices are independently configured to accommodate a flow of liquid resource, a flow of acid, a flow of water, or a flow of another process fluid. In some embodiments, before or after the liquid resource is flowed through an ion exchange device, the liquid resource is subjected to other processes including other ion exchange processes, solvent extraction, evaporation, chemical treatment, precipitation to remove lithium, precipitation to remove other chemical species, or to otherwise treat the liquid resource.

[0058] In some embodiments, wherein ion exchange particles are used in an ion exchange device, the liquid resource containing lithium is flowed through the ion exchange device so that the ion exchange particles absorb lithium from the liquid resource while releasing hydrogen. After the ion exchange particles have absorbed lithium, an acid is pumped through the ion exchange device so that the ion exchange particles release lithium into the acid while absorbing hydrogen. In some embodiments, the ion exchange device is operated in a co-flow mode wherein the liquid resource and acid are alternately flowed through the ion exchange device in the same direction. In some embodiments, the ion exchange device is operated in counter-flowmode wherein the liquid resource and acid are alternately flowed through the ion exchange device in opposite directions. In some embodiments, in between flows of the liquid resource and flows of acid, water or other solutions are flowed through the ion exchange device for purposes such as adjusting pH in the ion exchange device or removing potential contaminants. In some embodiments, ion exchange particles form a fixed bed or a moving bed, wherein the moving bed can move in a direction opposed to the flows of liquid resource and acid. In some embodiments, ion exchange particles are moved between multiple ion exchange devices, wherein the ion exchange particles form a moving bed that can be transferred from one ion exchange device to another. In some embodiments, ion exchange particles are moved between multiple ion exchange devices, wherein different ion exchange devices are independently configured to accommodate a flow of liquid resource, a flow of acid, a flow of water, or a flow of another process fluid. In some embodiments, before or after the liquid resource is flowed through an ion exchange device, the liquid resource is subjected to other processes including other ion exchange processes, solvent extraction, evaporation, chemical treatment, precipitation to remove lithium, precipitation to remove other chemical species, or to otherwise treat the liquid resource.

[0059] In some embodiments, when ion exchange material is treated with acid a synthetic lithium solution is produced. In some embodiments, the synthetic lithium solution is further processed to produce lithium chemicals. In some embodiments, lithium chemicals produced from synthetic lithium solutions are provided for an industrial application. In some embodiments, lithium chemicals produced from synthetic lithium solutions are further processed to produce one or more alternative lithium chemicals that are contemplated for use in an application for which the one or more alternative lithium chemicals is better suited as compared to the lithium chemicals.

[0060] In some embodiments, an ion exchange material is selected from the following list: an oxide, a phosphate, an oxyfluoride, a fluorophosphate, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, an oxide, a phosphate, an oxyfluoride, a fluorophosphate, or combinations thereof independently further comprise: (i) lithium, and (ii) manganese or titanium. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material is an oxide that further comprises: (i) lithium, and (ii) manganese or titanium. In some embodiments, an ion exchange material is selected from the following list: Li4Mn50i2, Li4TisOi2, Li2MO3 (M = Ti, Mn, Sn), LiM Ch, Li1.6Mm 6O4, LiM02 (M = Al, Cu, Ti), Li4TiO4, Li7TinO24, LisVO4, Li2Si3O?, LiFePO4, LiMnPO4, Li2CuP2O?, Al(0H)3, LiCl.xAl(OH)3.yH2O, SnO2.xSb2O5.yH2O, TiO2.xSb2O5.yH2O, solid solutions thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, an ion exchange material is selected from the following list: Li4MnsOi2, Li4TisOi2, Li1.6Mm.6O4, Li2MOs (M = Ti, Mn, Sn), LiFePO4, solid solutions thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0061] In some embodiments, a coating material used to form a coating on an ion exchange material or on ion exchange particles that comprise an ion exchange material is selected from the following list: a carbide, a nitride, an oxide, a phosphate, a fluoride, a polymer, carbon, a carbonaceous material, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the coating material comprises an oxide different from the oxide of the ion exchange material. In some embodiments, a coating material is selected from the following list: TiOs, ZrCh, M0O2, SnCh, Nb20s, Ta20s, SiCh, i2TiC>3, Li2ZrC>3, Li2SiO3, Li2MnO3, Li2MoC>3, LiNbCh, LiTaCh, AIPO4, LaPC>4, ZrP2O?, MOP2O7, MO2P3O12, BaSO4, AIF3, SiC, TiC, ZrC, Si3N4, ZrN, BN, carbon, graphitic carbon, amorphous carbon, hard carbon, diamond-like carbon, solid solutions thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a coating material is selected from the following list: TiCh, ZrCh, MoO2, SiO2, Li2TiOs, Li2ZrO3, Li2SiO3, Li2MnO3, LiNbCh, AIF3, SiC, Si?>N4, graphitic carbon, amorphous carbon, diamond-like carbon, or combinations thereof

[0062] In some embodiments, the ion exchange particles have an average diameter that is selected from the following list: less than 10 nm, less than 100 nm, less than 1,000 nm, less than 10,000 nm, or less than 100,000 nm. In some embodiments, the ion exchange particles have an average size that is selected from the following list: less than 200 nm, less than 2,000 nm, or less than 20,000 nm.

[0063] It is recognized that measurements of average particle diameter can vary according to the method of determination utilized. Determination of said average particle diameter according to one method to obtain one or more values shall be understood to inherently encompass all other values that may be obtained using other methods. The average particle diameter can be determined using sieve analysis. The average particle diameter can be determined using optical microscopy. The average particle diameter can be determined using electron microscopy. The average particle diameter can be determined using laser diffraction. In some embodiments, the average particle diameter is determined using laser diffraction, wherein a Bettersizer ST instrument is used. In some embodiments, the average particle diameter is determined using a Bettersizer ST instrument. In some embodiments, the average particle diameter is determined using laser diffraction, wherein an Anton-Parr particle size analyzer (PSA) instrument is used. In some embodiments, the average particle diameter is determined using an Anton-Parr PSA instrument. The average particle diameter can be determined using dynamic light scattering. The average particle diameter can be determined using static image analysis. The average particle diameter can be determined using dynamic image analysis.

[0064] In some embodiments, the ion exchange particles are secondary particles comprised of smaller primary particles that have an average diameter selected from the following list: lessthan 10 nm, less than 100 nm, less than 1,000 nm, or less than 10,000 nm. In some embodiments, smaller primary particles comprise an ion exchange material.

[0065] In some embodiments, the ion exchange material or the ion exchange particles comprising an ion exchange material have a coating comprising a coating material with a thickness selected from the following list: less than 1 nm, less than 10 nm, less than 100 nm, or less than 1,000 nm. In some embodiments, the coating material has a thickness selected from the following list: less than 1 nm, less than 10 nm, or less than 100 nm.

[0066] In some embodiments, the ion exchange material and the coating material form one or more concentration gradients such that the chemical composition of coated ion exchange particles comprising the ion exchange material and the coating material ranges between two or more compositions. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material and the coating material form a concentration gradient within the coated ion exchange particles comprising the ion exchange material and the coating material that extends over a thickness selected from the following list: less than 1 nm, less than 10 nm, less than 100 nm, less than 1,000 nm, less than 10,000 nm, or less than 100,000 nm.

[0067] In some embodiments, coating thickness may be measured by any one or more of electron microscopy, optical microscopy, couloscopy, nanoindentation, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray fluorescence. In some embodiments, coating thickness may be inferred or extrapolated from data obtained according to an analytical method that indicates the bulk composition of the coated ion exchange particle, or the ion exchange material that further comprises the coating material. In some embodiments, coating thickness may be inferred by differential analysis of data obtained by analysis of ion exchange material that further comprises a coating material and data obtained by analysis ion exchange material that does not further comprise a coating material. In some embodiments, coating thickness may be inferred by differential analysis of data obtained by analysis of one or more coated ion exchange particles and data obtained by analysis of one or more uncoated ion exchange particles.

[0068] In some embodiments, the ion exchange material is synthesized by a method selected from the following list: hydrothermal, solvothermal, sol-gel, solid state, molten salt flux, ion exchange, microwave, ball milling, precipitation, or vapor deposition. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material is synthesized by a method selected from the following list: hydrothermal, solid state, or microwave.

[0069] In some embodiments, a coating material is deposited to form a coating by a method selected from the following list: chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, physical vapor deposition, hydrothermal, solvothermal, sol-gel, solid state, molten salt flux, ion exchange, microwave, wet impregnation, precipitation, titration, aging, ball milling, orcombinations thereof. In some embodiments, the coating material is deposited to form a coating by a method selected from the following list: chemical vapor deposition, hydrothermal, titration, solvothermal, wet impregnation, sol-gel, precipitation, microwave, or combinations thereof

[0070] In some embodiments, a coating material is deposited to form a coating with physical characteristics selected from the following list: crystalline, amorphous, full coverage, partial coverage, uniform, non-uniform, or combinations thereof

[0071] In some embodiments, multiple coating materials are deposited to form multiple coatings on the ion exchange material in an arrangement selected from the following list: concentric, patchwork, or combinations thereof

[0072] In some embodiments, the structural matrix material is selected from the following list: a polymer, an oxide, a phosphate, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a structural matrix material is selected from the following list: polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene difluoride, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene dichloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyphenylene sulfide, polytetrafluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, sulfonated polytetrafluoroethylene, polystyrene, polydivinylbenzene, polybutadiene, sulfonated polymer, carboxylated polymer, Nafion, copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a structural matrix material is selected from the following list: polyvinylidene difluoride, polyvinyl chloride, sulfonated polytetrafluoroethylene, polystyrene, polydivinylbenzene, copolymers thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a structural matrix material is selected from the following list: titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, silicon dioxide, solid solutions thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the structural matrix material is selected for its thermal durability, acid resistance, and / or other chemical resistance.

[0073] In some embodiments, the porous ion exchange bead is formed by a process comprising mixing ion exchange particles, structural matrix material, and filler material together at once. In some embodiments, the porous ion exchange bead is formed by a process comprising mixing the ion exchange particles and the structural matrix material, and then mixing the resulting mixture with the filler material. In some embodiments, the porous ion exchange bead is formed by a process comprising mixing the ion exchange particles and the filler material, and then mixing the resulting mixture with the structural matrix material. In some embodiments, the porous ion exchange bead is formed by a process comprising mixing the structural matrix material and the filler material, and then mixing the resulting mixture with the ion exchange particles.

[0074] In some embodiments, the porous ion exchange bead is formed by a process comprising mixing the ion exchange particles, the structural matrix material, and / or the fillermaterial with a solvent that dissolves one or more of the components of the mixture. In some embodiments, the porous ion exchange bead is formed by a process comprising mixing the ion exchange particles, the structural matrix material, and / or the filler material as dry powders in a mixer or ball mill. In some embodiments, the porous ion exchange bead is formed by a process comprising mixing the ion exchange particles, the structural matrix material, and / or the filler material in a spray drier.

[0075] In some embodiments, the structural matrix material is a polymer that is dissolved in a solvent and subsequently mixed with the ion exchange particles and / or filler material using a solvent from the following list: N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, methyl ethyl ketone, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the filler material is a salt that is dissolved in a solvent and subsequently mixed with the ion exchange particles and / or structural matrix material using a solvent from the following list: water, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, or combinations thereof.

[0076] In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads comprise a filler material that is a salt that can be dissolved out of the ion exchange bead to form a network of pores within the ion exchange bead. In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads comprise a filler material that is a salt that can be dissolved out of the ion exchange bead using a solution selected from the following list: water, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, a surfactant mixture, an acid, a base, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads comprise a filler material that is a material that thermally decomposes to form a gas at high temperature such that the thermal decomposition of the filler material forms a network of pores within the ion exchange bead. In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads comprise a filler material that is a material that thermally decomposes to form a gas at high temperature wherein the gas is selected from the following list: water vapor, oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, organic vapors, or combinations thereof.

[0077] In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads are formed from dry powder. In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads are formed using a mechanical press, a pellet press, a tablet press, a pill press, a rotary press, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads are formed from a solvent slurry by dripping the solvent slurry into a solution comprising a different solvent. In some embodiments, the solvent slurry comprises N-methyl-2- pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, methyl ethyl ketone, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the solution comprising a different solvent comprises water, ethanol, iso-propyl alcohol, acetone, or combinations thereof.

[0078] In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads are approximately spherical with an average diameter selected from the following list: less than 10 pm, less than 100 pm, less than 1mm, less than 1 cm, or less than 10 cm. In some embodiments, the porous ion exchange bead are approximately spherical with an average diameter selected from the following list: less than 200 pm, less than 2 mm, or less than 20 mm.

[0079] In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads are tablet-shaped with a diameter of less than 1 mm, less than 2 mm, less than 4 mm, less than 8 mm, or less than 20 mm and with a height of less than 1 mm, less than 2 mm, less than 4 mm, less than 8 mm, or less than 20 mm.

[0080] In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads are embedded in a support structure, which can be a membrane, a spiral-wound membrane, a hollow fiber membrane, or a mesh. In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads are embedded on a support structure comprised of a polymer, a ceramic, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads are loaded directly into an ion exchange column with no additional support structure.

[0081] In some embodiments, the liquid resource has a lithium concentration selected from the following list: less than 100,000 mg / L, less than 10,000 mg / L, less than 1,000 mg / L, less than 100 mg / L, less than 10 mg / L, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the liquid resource has a lithium concentration selected from the following list: less than 5,000 mg / L, less than 500 mg / L, less than 50 mg / L, or combinations thereof.

[0082] In some embodiments, the acid used for eluting lithium from the ion exchange material is selected from the following list: hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrobromic acid, chloric acid, perchloric acid, nitric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the acid used for eluting lithium from the ion exchange material is selected from the following list: hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, or combinations thereof.

[0083] In some embodiments, the acid used for recovering lithium from the ion exchange material has an acid concentration selected from the following list: less than 0.1 M, less than 1.0 M, less than 5 M, less than 10 M, or combinations thereof.

[0084] In some embodiments, the ion exchange material is utilized in an ion exchange process repeatedly over a number of cycles selected from the following list: greater than 10 cycles, greater than 30 cycles, greater than 100 cycles, greater than 300 cycles, or greater than 1,000 cycles. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material is utilized in an ion exchange process repeatedly over a number of cycles selected from the following list: greater than 50 cycles, greater than 100 cycles, or greater than 200 cycles.

[0085] In some embodiments, a cycle comprises contacting a lithium-selective sorbent with a liquid resource to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and contacting the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent with an acidic solution (e g., acid) to provide a synthetic lithium solution (e g., lithium eluate). In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent is used (e.g., aprocess for generating a synthetic lithium solution is conducted) for at least 10 cycles, at least 50 cycles, at least 100 cycles, at least 250 cycles, at least 500 cycles, at least 1000 cycles, at least 2000 cycles, at least 3000 cycles, at least 4000 cycles, at least 5000 cycles, at least 6000 cycles, at least 7000 cycles, at least 8000 cycles, at least 9000 cycles, or at least 10000 cycles.

[0086] In some embodiments, the synthetic lithium solution that is yielded from the ion exchange material is further processed into lithium chemicals, lithium compounds, or lithium raw materials using methods selected from the following list: solvent extraction, ion exchange, chemical precipitation, electrodialysis, electrowinning, evaporation with direct solar energy, evaporation with concentrated solar energy, evaporation with a heat transfer medium heated by concentrated solar energy, evaporation with heat from a geothermal brine, evaporation with heat from combustion, or combinations thereof.

[0087] In some embodiments, the synthetic lithium solution that is yielded from the ion exchange material is further processed into lithium chemicals selected from the following list: lithium chloride, lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium metal, lithium metal oxide, lithium metal phosphate, lithium sulfide, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the synthetic lithium solution that is yielded from the ion exchange material is further processed into lithium chemicals that are solid, liquid, hydrated, or anhydrous.

[0088] In some embodiments, the lithium chemicals produced using the synthetic lithium solution are used in an industrial application selected from the following list: lithium batteries, metal alloys, glass, grease, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the lithium chemicals produced using the synthetic lithium solution derived from the ion exchange material are used in an industrial application selected from the following list: lithium batteries, metal alloys, glass, grease, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the lithium chemicals produced using the synthetic lithium solution derived from the coated ion exchange particles are used in an application selected from the following list: lithium batteries, lithium-ion batteries, lithium sulfur batteries, lithium solid-state batteries, and combinations thereof.

[0089] In some embodiments, the ion exchange materials are synthesized in a lithiated state, wherein a sublattice of the ion exchange material is fully or partially occupied by lithium. In some embodiments, the ion exchange materials are synthesized in a hydrogenated state, wherein a sublattice of the ion exchange material is fully or partially occupied by hydrogen.The Lithium Selective Sorbent

[0090] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term lithium-selective sorbent comprises all lithium-selective ion exchange materials. Ion exchange materials that selectively absorb and release lithium ions are lithium-selective ion exchange materials. In some embodiments, ionexchange beads comprise a lithium-selective sorbent. In some embodiments, ion exchange particles comprise a lithium-selective sorbent. In some embodiments, lithium-selective sorbents comprise an inorganic material that selectively absorbs lithium over other ions. In some embodiments, a lithium selective sorbent is a crystalline lithium salt aluminate, a lithium aluminum intercalate, LiCb2Al(OH)3, crystalline aluminum trihydroxide (Al(0H)3), gibbsite, beyerite, nordstrandite, alumina hydrate, bauxite, amorphous aluminum trihydroxide, activated alumina layered lithium-aluminum double hydroxides, LiA12(0H)eCl, combinations thereof, compounds thereof, or solid solutions thereof.

[0091] Lithium-selective ion exchange materials can be used in a method for lithium recovery from a liquid resource. Lithium-selective ion exchange materials can be used in a system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource. Lithium -selective ion exchange materials can be used in an ion exchange device. Lithium-selective ion exchange materials absorb lithium from a liquid resource while releasing hydrogen, and then elute lithium in an eluent while absorbing hydrogen from the eluent. This ion exchange process is optionally repeated to extract lithium from a liquid resource and yield a synthetic lithium solution. The synthetic lithium solution is optionally further processed into chemicals for the battery industry or other industries.

[0092] The performance parameters of lithium recovery by an ion exchange material are reflected in the ability of the ion exchange material to absorb lithium from a liquid resource in high quantity and in high purity over long periods time. When a given amount of an ion exchange material contacts a given amount of liquid resource, wash solution, eluent solution, or other process fluids, the effectiveness of selective lithium absorption, washing, lithium release / elution, or other treatment depends on effective contact of process fluids with the ion exchange material. In some embodiments, effective contact implies that a given amount of ion exchange material is contacted with the same amount of process fluid, and that the composition of said fluid is the same as that contacting the entirety of the ion exchange material. As such, in some embodiments, it is essential that devices for lithium recovery be configured in a manner such that the ion exchange material can make uniform contact with process fluids. In some embodiments, uniform contact implies that a liquid resource from which lithium is extracted uniformly contacts an ion exchange material which absorbs lithium while releasing protons.

[0093] Optimizing the performance parameters of lithium recovery is advantageous for lithium production from liquid resources using ion exchange processes that utilize one or more ion exchange materials. Disclosed herein are methods and systems for optimizing the performance parameters of lithium recovery using ion exchange materials that comprise lithiumselective sorbents by adjusting the concentration of lithium and pH of a liquid resource to beplaced in contact with the ion exchange material. Adjusting the concentration of lithium in a liquid resource can yield a concentration-adjusted liquid resource according to some embodiments.

[0094] Adjusting the concentration of lithium in a liquid resource can result in the most optimal utilization of an ion exchange material utilized for lithium recovery, and helps ensure a prolonged lifetime of the ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the concentration of lithium in a liquid resource is increased to result in the most optimal utilization of an ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the concentration of lithium in a liquid resource is decreased to result in the most optimal utilization of an ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the pH of the liquid resource is adjusted in addition to the concentration of lithium in a liquid resource to result in the most optimal utilization of an ion exchange material.

[0095] In some embodiments, the most optimal utilization of an ion exchange material results in improved or optimized performance parameters for lithium recovery. In some embodiments, improved or optimized performance parameters comprise a longer useful lifetime of the ion exchange material used in the methods and systems described herein. In some embodiments, improved or optimized performance parameters comprise a higher lithium production rate for flow of the same amount of liquid resource across the ion exchange material used in the methods and systems described herein. In some embodiments, improved or optimized performance parameters comprise a higher lithium purity of the lithium provided by the ion exchange material used in the methods and systems described herein. In some embodiments, improved or optimized performance parameters comprise a greater quantity of lithium provided by a given quantity of ion exchange material over its useful lifetime when the ion exchange material is used according to the methods and systems described herein. In some embodiments, improved or optimized performance parameters comprise an increase in overall lithium recovery.Embodiments Comprising Other Lithium-Selective Sorbents

[0096] According to some embodiments of methods and systems for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, lithium is extracted from the liquid resources using inorganic lithium-selective sorbents that absorb lithium ions preferentially over other ions. In some embodiments, lithiumselective sorbents comprise lithium-selective ion exchange materials. As used herein, the term “lithium-selective ion-exchange material” refers to embodiments of “lithium-selective sorbent”. In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent is a lithium-selective ion-exchange material. In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent comprises lithium-selective ion-exchange beads. In some embodiments, the lithium selective sorbent comprises ion exchange beads. Insome embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent comprises lithium-selective ion-exchange particles. In some embodiments, the lithium selective sorbent comprises ion exchange particles. In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent is an ion exchange material.

[0097] In some embodiments, lithium-selective sorbents include other inorganic materials that selectively absorb lithium over other ions. In some embodiments, lithium -selective sorbents selectively absorb lithium over other ions by processes that do not comprise ion exchange. In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent is a crystalline lithium salt aluminate, a lithium aluminum intercalate, LiCl*2Al(OH)3, crystalline aluminum trihydroxide (Al(OH)s), gibbsite, beyerite, nordstrandite, alumina hydrate, bauxite, amorphous aluminum trihydroxide, activated alumina layered lithium-aluminum double hydroxides, LiA12(OH)eCl, combinations thereof, compounds thereof, or solid solutions thereof.

[0098] An aspect of the invention described herein is a device wherein the lithium-selective sorbent comprises an ion exchange material. An aspect of the invention described herein is a process wherein the lithium-selective sorbent comprises an ion-exchange material. An aspect of the invention described herein is a system wherein the lithium-selective sorbent comprises an ion-exchange material. An aspect of the invention described herein is a lithium-selective sorbent which extracts lithium from a liquid resource.

[0099] An aspect of the disclosure is a device, system, and associated process wherein the lithium-selective sorbent comprises a lithium aluminate intercalate. In some embodiments, the lithium aluminate intercalate mixed with a polymer material. In some embodiments, the polymer material comprises a chloro-polymer, a fluoro-polymer, a chloro-fluoro-polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, a hydrophobic polymer, co-polymers thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the polymer material comprises a co-polymer, a block copolymer, a linear polymer, a branched polymer, a cross-linked polymer, a heat-treated polymer, a solution processed polymer, co-polymers thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the polymer material comprises low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), types of polyamide, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polysulfone, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), poly (4-vinyl pyridine-co-styrene) (PVPCS), polystyrene (PS), polybutadiene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene polymer (ETFE), poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene) (PCTFE), ethylene chlorotrifluoro ethylene (Halar), polyvinylfluoride (PVF), fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP), perfluorinated elastomer, chlorotrifluoroethylenevinylidene fluoride (FKM), perfluoropolyether (PFPE), perfluoro-3,6- dioxa-4-methyl-7-octene-sulfonic acid (NAFION® (copolymer of perfluoro-3,6-dioxa-4- methyl-7-octene-sulfonic acid and tetrafluoroethylene)), polyethylene oxide, polyethyleneglycol, sodium polyacrylate, polyethylene-block-poly(ethylene glycol), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polychloroprene (neoprene), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), expanded polystyrene (EPS), polydivinylbenzene, co-polymers thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof In some embodiments, the polymer material comprises polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene chlorotrifluoro ethylene (Halar), poly (4-vinyl pyridine-co-styrene) (PVPCS), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyphenylene sulfide, sulfonated polymer, carboxylated polymer, other polymers, co-polymers thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the polymer material is combined with the lithium aluminate intercalate particles by dry mixing, mixing in solvent, emulsion, extrusion, bubbling one solvent into another, casting, heating, evaporating, vacuum evaporation, spray drying, vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, microwaving, hydrothermal synthesis, polymerization, co-polymerization, cross-linking, irradiation, catalysis, foaming, other deposition methods, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the polymer material is combined with the lithium aluminate intercalate particles using a solvent comprising N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, methyl ethyl ketone, ethanol, acetone, other solvents, or combinations thereof. In a further aspect, a coating can be deposited onto the lithium aluminate intercalate particles using a solvent comprising N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, methyl ethyl ketone, ethanol, acetone, or combinations thereof.

[0100] In some embodiments, the lithium aluminate intercalate comprises particles that have an average diameter less than about 10 nm, less than about 100 nm, less than about 1,000 nm, less than about 10,000 nm, or less than about 100,000 nm. In some embodiments, the lithium aluminate intercalate comprises particles that have an average size less than about 100 nm, less than about 1,000 nm, or less than about 10,000 nm. In some embodiments, the lithium aluminate intercalate particles comprise secondary particles comprised of smaller primary particles wherein the smaller primary particles have an average diameter less than about 10 nm, less than about 100 nm, less than about 1,000 nm, less than about 10,000 nm, or less than about 100,000 nm.

[0101] In a further aspect described herein, the lithium aluminate intercalate particles have an average diameter less than about 10 nm, less than about 100 nm, less than about 1,000 nm, less than about 10,000 nm, or less than about 100,000 nm. In a further aspect, the lithium aluminate intercalate particles have an average size less than about 100 nm, less than about 1,000 nm, or less than about 10,000 nm. In a further aspect, the lithium aluminate intercalate particles are optionally secondary particles comprised of smaller primary particles that have anaverage diameter less than about 10 nm, less than about 100 nm, less than about 1,000 nm, less than about 10,000 nm, or less than about 100,000 nm.Embodiments Comprising One or More Filler Materials Mixed within a Bed of Lithium- Selective Sorbent

[0102] In some embodiments, the ion exchange material is loaded into an ion exchange device as described herein, wherein the ion exchange material absorbs lithium from a liquid resource placed into contact therewith. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material is loaded into an ion exchange device as described herein, and a non-sorbent material is co-loaded into the same ion exchange device. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material is inert to all process fluids used in a method or system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material is inert to liquid resource. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material is inert to acid. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material is inert to washing water. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material is inert to base.

[0103] In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent is loaded into an ion exchange device as described herein, wherein the lithium-selective sorbent absorbs lithium from a liquid resource placed into contact therewith. In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent comprises an ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent is loaded into an ion exchange device as described herein, and a non-sorbent material is co-loaded into the same ion exchange device. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material is inert to all process fluids used in a method or system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material is inert to liquid resource. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material is inert to acid. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material is inert to washing water. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material is inert to base.

[0104] In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material is termed a “filler material”, “inert material”, “packing material”, or “packing” such that these terms can be used interchangeably in the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material is co-loaded into an ion exchange device with a lithium-selective sorbent. In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent is loaded into the ion exchange device first, and the non-sorbent material is subsequently loaded into the ion exchange device. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material is loaded into the ion exchange device first, and the lithium-selective sorbent is subsequently loaded into the ion exchange device. In some embodiments, loading of the ion exchange device is alternated between non-sorbent material, lithium-selective sorbent, or a mixture thereof, until the ion exchange device is loaded to the intended loading-level. In some embodiments, the non-sorbentmaterial is removed from the ion exchange device after the ion exchange device is loaded with the lithium-selective sorbent.

[0105] In some embodiments, the fdler material comprises glass, silica, gravel, activated carbon, ceramic, alumina, zeolite, calcite, diatomaceous earth, cellulose, polymers, copolymers, titanium foam, titanium sponge, mixtures thereof or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the fdler material comprises a porous material. In some embodiments, the fdler material is diatomaceous earth. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “diatomaceous earth” also refers to “diatomite” or “kieselgur / kieselguhr”, or “celite”. In some embodiments, the fdler material comprises polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polylactic acid, polyimide, poly(methyl methacrylate), polypropylene, polyvinylidene difluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyether ether ketone, copolymers thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the fdler material is placed on top of the vessel, on the bottom of the vessel, or both. In some embodiments, the fdler material is mixed with the ion exchange material, a form thereof, or a construct comprised thereof. Another aspect described herein are ion exchange devices for use according to the methods and systems for lithium recovery from a liquid resource as described herein, wherein the ion exchange device comprises a vessel loaded with one or more beds comprising ion exchange material and a fdler material, wherein the fdler material is mixed with the one or more beds of ion exchange material, thereby providing support for the one or more beds and / or enabling for better flow distribution of the liquid resource or process fluid entering, passing through, or exiting the vessel. In some embodiments, better flow distribution ensures that each quantity or incremental sub-quantity of the ion exchange material within the ion exchange bed contacts the same amount of liquid resource or process fluid and that the hydrostatic pressure required to achieve the desired rate of flow across the bed is about uniform across the surface and within cross sections of the ion exchange bed. In some embodiments, better flow distribution is efficient flow distribution.

[0106] In some embodiments, efficient flow distribution within the ion exchange device occurs via one or more shaped objects or particles that are packed within one or more of the compartments that comprise the ion exchange device. In some embodiments, the filler material comprises one or more shaped objects or particles. In some embodiments, the filler material is comprised of objects or particles shaped as a sphere, spheroid, ovaloid, cross, tube, torus, ring, saddle ring, tubes, triangles, other complex geometric shape, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the filler material is distributed in an ion exchange device with a random particle density. In some embodiments, the filler material is distributed in an ion exchange device with a uniform particle density. In some embodiments, the filler material comprises one of more typesof filler material, randomly added and distributed within the ion exchange device. In some embodiments, the filler material consists of one of more types of filler material, added and distributed within the ion exchange device within well-defined regions In some embodiments, parts, chambers, compartments, or vessels of the of the ion exchange device are empty while other parts, chambers, compartments, or vessels of the same ion exchange device contain filler material.

[0107] In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material increases the flow uniformity of the liquid resource through the bed of lithium-selective sorbent mixed with the non-sorbent material, as compared to the flow uniformity when the liquid resource flows through a bed of lithiumselective sorbent that is not mixed with a non-sorbent material. In some embodiments, the fluid pressure required to flow a liquid resource through a bed of lithium-selective sorbent mixed with the non-sorbent material is lower than the fluid pressure required to flow a liquid resource through a bed of lithium-selective sorbent with similar length and at a similar flow rate.

[0108] In some embodiments, the filler material is shaped as a sphere, spheroid, ovaloid, cross, tube, torus, ring, saddle ring, tubes, triangles, other complex geometric shape, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the filler material is distributed with a random particle density. In some embodiments, the filler material is distributed with uniform particle density. In some embodiments, the filler material comprises one of more types of filler material, randomly added and distributed within the ion exchange device. In some embodiments, the non- sorbent material comprises one of more types of non-sorbent material, randomly added and distributed within the ion exchange device. In some embodiments, the filler material comprises one of more types of filler material, added and distributed within the ion exchange device within well-defined regions. In some embodiments, parts, chambers, compartments, or vessels of the of the ion exchange device are empty, and parts, chambers, compartments, or vessels of the same ion exchange device contain filler material. In some embodiments, one end of the ion exchange device containing the lithium-selective sorbent comprises a packed bed of non-sorbent material, such that the liquid resource comprising lithium enters the ion exchange device and first contacts the lithium-selective sorbent, followed by the non-sorbent material. In some embodiments, one end of the ion exchange device containing the lithium-selective sorbent comprises a packed bed of non-sorbent material, such that the liquid resource comprising lithium enters the ion exchange device and first contacts the non-sorbent material, followed by the lithium-selective sorbent. In some embodiments, both ends of the ion exchange device containing the lithium-selective sorbent comprise a packed bed of non-sorbent material, such that the liquid resource comprising lithium enters the ion exchange device and first contacts the non-sorbent material, followed by the lithium-selective sorbent, followed by the same or a different non-sorbent material. In someembodiments, one or more parts, chambers, compartments, or vessels of the ion exchange device containing the lithium-selective sorbent comprise a packed bed of non-sorbent material, such that the liquid resource comprising lithium enters the parts, chambers, compartments, or vessels of the ion exchange device and alternates between contacting the non-sorbent material, followed by the lithium-selective sorbent.

[0109] In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material comprises particles with an average diameter of less than about 10 pm, less than about 20 pm, less than about 30 pm, less than about 40 pm, less than about 50 pm, less than about 60 pm, less than about 70 pm, less than about 80 pm, less than about 90 pm, less than about 100 pm, less than about 200 pm, less than about 300 pm, less than about 400 pm, less than about 500 pm, less than about 600 pm, less than about 700 pm, less than about 800 pm, less than about 900 pm, less than about 1000 pm, less than about 2000 pm; more than about 10 pm, more than about 20 pm, more than about 30 pm, more than about 40 pm, more than about 50 pm, more than about 60 pm, more than about 70 pm, more than about 80 pm, more than about 90 pm, more than about 100 pm, more than about 200 pm, more than about 300 pm, more than about 400 pm, more than about 500 pm, more than about 600 pm, more than about 700 pm, more than about 800 pm, more than about 900 pm, more than about 1000 pm, more than about 2000 pm. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material comprises particles with an average diameter of from about 1 pm to about 5 pm, from about 5 pm to about 10 pm, from about 10 pm to about 20 pm, from about 20 pm to about 40 pm, from about 40 pm to about 80 pm, from about 80 pm to about 200 pm, from about 100 pm to about 400 pm, from about 200 pm to about 800 pm, from about 400 pm to about 1000 pm, from about 600 pm to about 2000 pm, from about 1000 pm to about 2000 pm. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material comprises particles with an average diameter from about 10 pm to about 200 pm.

[0110] In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material is porous. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material has an average pore opening size of less than about 0.1 nm, less than about 1 nm, less than about 10 nm, less than about 100 nm, less than about 1 pm, less than about 10 pm, less than about 20 pm, less than about 30 pm, less than about 40 pm, less than about 50 pm, less than about 60 pm, less than about 70 pm, less than about 80 pm, less than about 90 pm, less than about 100 pm, less than about 200 pm, less than about 300 pm, less than about 400 pm, less than about 500 pm, less than about 600 pm, less than about 700 pm, less than about 800 pm, less than about 900 pm, less than about 1000 pm, less than about 2000 pm. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material has an average pore opening size of more than about 0.1 nm, more than about 1 nm, more than about 10 nm, more than about 100 nm, more than about 1 pm, more than about 10 pm, more than about 20 pm, more than about 30 pm, more than about40 pm, more than about 50 pm, more than about 60 pm, more than about 70 pm, more than about 80 pm, more than about 90 pm, more than about 100 pm, more than about 200 pm, more than about 300 pm, more than about 400 pm, more than about 500 pm, more than about 600 pm, more than about 700 m, more than about 800 pm, more than about 900 pm, more than about 1000 pm, more than about 2000 pm. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material has an average pore opening size of rom about 0.1 nm to about 1 nm, from about 1 nm to about 10 nm, from about 10 nm to about 100 nm, from about 100 nm to about 1 pm, from 1 pm to about 10 pm, from about 1 pm to about 5 pm, from about 5 pm to about 10 pm, from about 10 pm to about 20 pm, from about 20 pm to about 40 pm, from about 40 pm to about 80 pm, from about 80 pm to about 200 pm, from about 100 pm to about 400 pm, from about 200 pm to about 800 pm, from about 400 pm to about 1000 pm, from about 600 pm to about 2000 pm, from about 1000 pm to about 2000 pm. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material comprises particles with an average diameter from about 10 pm to about 200 pm.

[0111] In some embodiments, the packed density of the non-sorbent material is less than about 0.1 g / mL, less than about 0.5 g / mL, less than about 1 g / mL, less than about 3 g / mL nm, less than about 5 g / mL, less than about 10 g / mL. In some embodiments, the packed density of the non-sorbent material is more than about 0.1 g / mL, more than about 0.5 g / mL, more than about 1 g / mL, more than about 3 g / mL nm, more than about 5 g / mL, more than about 10 g / mL. In some embodiments, the packed density of the non-sorbent material is from about 0.1 g / mL to about 0.5 g / mL, from about 0.5 g / mL to about 1 g / mL, from about 0.5 g / mL to about 3 g / mL nm, from about 3 g / mL to about 5 g / mL, from about 5 g / mL to about 10 g / mL.

[0112] In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent is loaded into the ion exchange device as a slurry or suspension. In some embodiments, the liquid component of the slurry is water, acid, base, or a solvent. In some embodiments, the percentage of liquid in the slurry is less than about 1 %, less than about, 2%, less than about 5 %, less than about 10 %, less than about 20%, less than about 50 %, less than about 75 %, less than about 90 %, more than about 1 %, more than about, 2%, more than about 5 %, more than about 10 %, more than about 20%, more than about 50 %, more than about 75 %, more than about 90 %, between about 0 % and 5%, between about 5 % and 10 %, between about 10% and 20 %, between about 20 % and 50 %, between about 50 % and 75 %, between about 75 % and 90 %, between about 90 % and 100 %. In some embodiments, the percentage of solids in the slurry is less than about 1 %, less than about, 2%, less than about 5 %, less than about 10 %, less than about 20%, less than about 50 %, less than about 75 %, less than about 90 %, more than about 1 %, more than about, 2%, more than about 5 %, more than about 10 %, more than about 20%, more than about 50 %, more than about 75 %, more than about 90 %, between about 0 % and 5%, between about 5 % and 10 %,between about 10% and 20 %, between about 20 % and 50 %, between about 50 % and 75 %, between about 75 % and 90 %, between about 90 % and 100 %. In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads are loaded into the ion exchange device as a dry powder. In some embodiments, the ion exchange particles are loaded into the ion exchange device as a dry powder. In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent is loaded into the ion exchange device as a dry powder.

[0113] In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material is loaded into the ion-exchange vessel as a slurry or suspension. In some embodiments, the liquid component of such slurry is water, acid, base, or a solvent. In some embodiments, the percentage of liquid in the slurry is less than about 1 %, less than about, 2%, less than about 5 %, less than about 10 %, less than about 20%, less than about 50 %, less than about 75 %, less than about 90 %, more than about 1 %, more than about, 2%, more than about 5 %, more than about 10 %, more than about 20%, more than about 50 %, more than about 75 %, more than about 90 %, between about 0 % and 5%, between about 5 % and 10 %, between about 10% and 20 %, between about 20 % and 50 %, between about 50 % and 75 %, between about 75 % and 90 %, between about 90 % and 100 %. In some embodiments, the percentage of solids in the slurry is less than about 1 %, less than about, 2%, less than about 5 %, less than about 10 %, less than about 20%, less than about 50 %, less than about 75 %, less than about 90 %, more than about 1 %, more than about, 2%, more than about 5 %, more than about 10 %, more than about 20%, more than about 50 %, more than about 75 %, more than about 90 %, between about 0 % and 5%, between about 5 % and 10 %, between about 10% and 20 %, between about 20 % and 50 %, between about 50 % and 75 %, between about 75 % and 90 %, between about 90 % and 100 %. In some embodiments, the non- sorbent material is loaded into the ion-exchange vessel as a dry powder.

[0114] In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material is mixed with the lithium-selective sorbent in a tank, then liquid is added and the contents are agitated to make a suspension, and the resulting suspension is loaded into the ion exchange device. In some embodiments, the liquid added to make the suspension is water, acid, base, or a solvent. In some embodiments, the percentage of liquid in the suspension is less than about 1 %, less than about, 2%, less than about 5 %, less than about 10 %, less than about 20%, less than about 50 %, less than about 75 %, less than about 90 %, more than about 1 %, more than about, 2%, more than about 5 %, more than about 10 %, more than about 20%, more than about 50 %, more than about 75 %, more than about 90 %, between about 0 % and 5%, between about 5 % and 10 %, between about 10% and 20 %, between about 20 % and 50 %, between about 50 % and 75 %, between about 75 % and 90 %, between about 90 % and 100 %. In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads are loaded into the ion-exchange vessel as a dry mixture. In some embodiments, the percentage of solids inthe suspension is less than about 1 %, less than about, 2%, less than about 5 %, less than about 10 %, less than about 20%, less than about 50 %, less than about 75 %, less than about 90 %, more than about 1 %, more than about, 2%, more than about 5 %, more than about 10 %, more than about 20%, more than about 50 %, more than about 75 %, more than about 90 %, between about 0 % and 5%, between about 5 % and 10 %, between about 10% and 20 %, between about 20 % and 50 %, between about 50 % and 75 %, between about 75 % and 90 %, between about 90 % and 100 %. In some embodiments, the non-sorbent material and the lithium-selective sorbent are loaded into the ion exchange device as a dry mixture.The Liquid Resource

[0115] As a liquid resource flows through an ion exchange device, the ion exchange material absorbs lithium while releasing hydrogen, causing a decrease in the pH of the liquid resource from which lithium is being extracted. pH values of less than about 6 in said liquid resource result in sub-optimal performance of the ion-exchange process because the higher hydrogen concentrations found at low pH result in the reversal of ion-exchange, wherein hydrogen is absorbed while lithium is released. Said sub-optimal process performance is manifested as, but is not limited to, a slower uptake of lithium by the ion exchange material, lower purity of the lithium eluted from the ion exchange material, lower lithium uptake capacity of the ion exchange material, degradation of the ion exchange material, decreased lifetime of the ion exchange material which necessitates more frequent replacement thereof, slower elution of lithium from the ion exchange material in the presence of acid, and higher amounts of acid being required for the elution of lithium from the ion exchange material.

[0116] In some embodiments, the pH value of the liquid resource can be maintained above a value of 6 by addition of an alkali. In some embodiments, said alkali is added before flow of the liquid resource through a bed or ion exchange material, or after flow of said liquid resource through a bed of ion exchange material, but not within the bed of ion exchange material where the lithium extraction process occurs. In some embodiments, the pH of the liquid resource decreases to a suboptimal value of less than about 6 during the time it takes for the liquid resource to flow through a bed of ion exchange material. Thus, in some embodiments systems and methods described herein are used to moderate the decrease in pH of the liquid resource during contact of the liquid resource with ion exchange material.

[0117] In some embodiments, a system (e.g., a concentration modulation unit) is used to adjust the concentration of lithium in the liquid resource before it contacts an ion exchange material that extracts lithium from the liquid resource while releasing protons into the liquid resource. In some embodiments, said system decreases the lithium concentration of the liquidresource, such that less lithium is absorbed by the ion exchange material over the same amount of contact time, and therefore fewer protons are released into the liquid resource by the ion exchange material during this absorption process, leading to a higher pH of the liquid resource as it contacts the ion exchange material. In some embodiments, adjustment of the lithium concentration in the liquid resource is achieved by mixing the liquid resource with a raffinate stream, said raffinate stream comprising the liquid resource which has contacted ion exchange material to absorb a portion of the lithium. Raffinate or a raffinate stream can comprise a lithium-depleted liquid resource. A solution comprising a liquid resource and a raffinate can comprise a concentration-adjusted liquid resource according to some embodiments. As a result of combining a raffinate stream with a liquid resource, the lithium remaining in the raffinate stream will be put into contact with the ion exchange material more than once, leading to multiple contacts of said lithium with the ion exchange material and multiple opportunities for uptake of said lithium by the ion exchange material. The result is an increase in the overall recovery of lithium by the methods and systems described herein as compared to methods and systems that do not comprise combining a raffinate with a liquid resource prior to placing the resulting mixture in contact with an ion exchange material.

[0118] The production of lithium chemicals and lithium feedstocks suitable for industrial applications can involve the recovery of lithium from resources that contain lithium in addition to other components. Resources containing lithium in addition to other components can be a liquid resource. In some embodiments, the liquid resource is selected from the following list: a natural brine, a dissolved salt flat, a geothermal brine, seawater, concentrated seawater, desalination effluent, a concentrated brine, a processed brine, liquid from an ion exchange process, liquid from a solvent extraction process, a synthetic brine, leachate from ores, leachate from minerals, leachate from clays, leachate from sediments, leachate from recycled products, leachate from recycled materials, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a liquid resource is selected from the following list: a natural brine, a dissolved salt flat, a concentrated brine, a processed brine, a synthetic brine, a geothermal brine, liquid from an ion exchange process, liquid from a solvent extraction process, leachate from minerals, leachate from clays, leachate from recycled products, leachate from recycled materials, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the liquid resource is optionally pre-treated prior to entering the ion exchange reactor to remove suspended solids, hydrocarbons, organic molecules, iron, certain metals, or other chemical or ionic species. In some embodiments, the liquid resource is optionally fed into the ion exchange reactor without any pre-treatment. In some embodiments, the liquid resource is injected into a reservoir, salt lake, salt flat, basin, or other geologic deposit after lithium has been removed from the liquid resource. In some embodiments, other speciesare recovered from the liquid resource before or after lithium recovery. In some embodiments, the pH of the liquid resource is adjusted before, during, or after lithium recovery. In some embodiments, a method for lithium recovery comprises placing a liquid resource or a solution comprising a liquid resource into contact with ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the lithium concentration of the liquid resource is adjusted before, during, or after lithium recovery. In some embodiments, a liquid resource is an aqueous solution comprising lithium suitable for use according to the methods and systems for lithium recovery disclosed herein.

[0119] In one embodiment, the liquid resource is a natural brine, a dissolved salt flat, seawater, concentrated seawater, a geothermal brine, a desalination effluent, a concentrated brine, a processed brine, an oilfield brine, a liquid from an ion exchange process, a liquid from a solvent extraction process, a synthetic brine, a leachate from an ore or combination of ores, a leachate from a mineral or combination of minerals, a leachate from a clay or combination of clays, a leachate from recycled products, a leachate from recycled materials, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the liquid resource is a brine.

[0120] In one embodiment, the liquid resource is at a temperature of -20 to 20 °C, 20 to 50 °C, 50 to 100 °C, 100 to 200 °C, or 200 to 400 °C. In one embodiment, the liquid resource is heated or cooled to precipitate or dissolve species in the brine, or to facilitate removal of metals from the liquid resource.

[0121] In one embodiment, the liquid resource contains lithium at a concentration of less than 1 mg / L, 1 to 50 mg / L, 50 to 200 mg / L, 200 to 500 mg / L, 500 to 2,000 mg / L, 2,000 to 5,000 mg / L, 5,000 to 10,000 mg / L, 10,000 to 20,000 mg / L, 20,000 to 80,000 mg / L, or greater than 80,000 mg / L.

[0122] In one embodiment, the liquid resource contains magnesium at a concentration of 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L, 0.1 to 1 mg / L, 1 to 10 mg / L, 10 to 100 mg / L, 100 to 1,000 mg / L, 1,000 to 10,000 mg / L, 10,000 to 50,000 mg / L, 50,000 to 100,000 mg / L, 100,000 to 150,000 mg / L, or greater than 150,000 mg / L. In one embodiment, the liquid resource contains calcium at a concentration of 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L, 0.1 to 1 mg / L, 1 to 10 mg / L, 10 to 100 mg / L, 100 to 1,000 mg / L, 1,000 to 10,000 mg / L, 10,000 to 50,000 mg / L, 50,000 to 100,000 mg / L, 100,000 to 150,000 mg / L, or greater than 150,000 mg / L. In one embodiment, the liquid resource contains strontium at a concentration of 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L, 0.1 to 1 mg / L, 1 to 10 mg / L, 10 to 100 mg / L, 100 to 1,000 mg / L, 1,000 to 10,000 mg / L, 10,000 to 50,000 mg / L, 50,000 to 100,000 mg / L, 100,000 to 150,000 mg / L, or greater than 150,000 mg / L. In one embodiment, the liquid resource contains barium at a concentration of 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L, 0.1 to 1 mg / L, 1 to 10 mg / L, 10 to 100 mg / L, 100 to 1,000 mg / L, 1,000 to 10,000 mg / L, 10,000 to 50,000 mg / L, 50,000 to 100,000 mg / L, 100,000 to 150,000 mg / L, or greater than 150,000 mg / L.

[0123] In one embodiment, the liquid resource contains multivalent cations at a concentration of 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L, 0.1 to 1 mg / L, 1 to 10 mg / L, 10 to 100 mg / L, 100 to 1,000 mg / L, 1,000 to 10,000 mg / L, 10,000 to 50,000 mg / L, 50,000 to 100,000 mg / L, 100,000 to 150,000 mg / L, or greater than 150,000 mg / L. In one embodiment, the liquid resource contains multivalent ions at a concentration of 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L, 0.1 to 1 mg / L, 1 to 10 mg / L, 10 to 100 mg / L, 100 to 1,000 mg / L, 1,000 to 10,000 mg / L, 10,000 to 50,000 mg / L, 50,000 to 100,000 mg / L, 100,000 to 150,000 mg / L, or greater than 150,000 mg / L. In one embodiment, the liquid resource contains non-lithium impurities at a concentration of 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L, 0.1 to 1 mg / L, 1 to 10 mg / L, 10 to 100 mg / L, 100 to 1,000 mg / L, 1,000 to 10,000 mg / L, 10,000 to 50,000 mg / L, 50,000 to 100,000 mg / L, 100,000 to 150,000 mg / L, or greater than 150,000 mg / L. In one embodiment, the liquid resource contains transition metals at a concentration of 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L, 0.1 to 1 mg / L, 1 to 10 mg / L, 10 to 100 mg / L, 100 to 1,000 mg / L, 1,000 to 10,000 mg / L, 10,000 to 50,000 mg / L, 50,000 to 100,000 mg / L, 100,000 to 150,000 mg / L, or greater than 150,000 mg / L. In one embodiment, the liquid resource contains iron at a concentration of 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L, 0.1 to 1 mg / L, 1 to 10 mg / L, 10 to 100 mg / L, 100 to 1,000 mg / L, 1,000 to 10,000 mg / L, 10,000 to 50,000 mg / L, 50,000 to 100,000 mg / L, 100,000 to 150,000 mg / L, or greater than 150,000 mg / L. In one embodiment, the liquid resource contains manganese at a concentration of 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L, 0.1 to 1 mg / L, 1 to 10 mg / L, 10 to 100 mg / L, 100 to 1,000 mg / L, 1,000 to 10,000 mg / L, 10,000 to 50,000 mg / L, 50,000 to 100,000 mg / L, 100,000 to 150,000 mg / L, or greater than 150,000 mg / L.

[0124] In one embodiment, the liquid resource is treated to produce a pre-treated liquid resource which has certain metals removed. The term liquid resource as used in this disclosure shall be understood to also encompass a pre-treated liquid resource as described herein. In one embodiment, the pre-treated liquid resource contains iron at a concentration of less than 0.01, 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L, mg / L, 0.1 to 1.0 mg / L, 1.0 to 10 mg / L, 10 to 100 mg / L, or 100 to 1,000 mg / L. In one embodiment, the pre-treated liquid resource contains manganese at a concentration of less than 0.01, 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L, mg / L, 0.1 to 1.0 mg / L, 1.0 to 10 mg / L, 10 to 100 mg / L, or 100 to 1,000 mg / L. In one embodiment, the pre-treated liquid resource contains lead at a concentration of less than 0.01, 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L, mg / L, 0.1 to 1.0 mg / L, 1.0 to 10 mg / L, 10 to 100 mg / L, or 100 to 1,000 mg / L. In one embodiment, the pre-treated liquid resource contains zinc at a concentration of less than 0.01, 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L, mg / L, 0.1 to 1.0 mg / L, 1.0 to 10 mg / L, 10 to 100 mg / L, or 100 to 1,000 mg / L. In one embodiment, the pre-treated liquid resource contains lithium at a concentration of 1 to 50 mg / L, 50 to 200 mg / L, 200 to 500 mg / L, 500 to 2,000 mg / L, or greater than 2,000 mg / L.

[0125] In one embodiment, the pre-treated liquid resource (e.g., the treated liquid resource) is processed to recover metals such as lithium and yield a lithium-depleted liquid resource. In some embodiments, a lithium-depleted liquid resource is a raffinate. In one embodiment, the lithium-depleted liquid resource contains residual quantities of the recovered metals at a concentration of less than 0.01, 0.01 to 0.1 mg / L, mg / L, 0.1 to 1.0 mg / L, 1.0 to 10 mg / L, 10 to 100 mg / L, 100 to 1,000 mg / L, or 1,000 to 10,000 mg / L.

[0126] In one embodiment, the pH of the liquid resource is corrected to less than 0, 0 to 1, 1 to 2, 2 to 4, 4 to 6, 6 to 8, 4 to 8, 8 to 9, 9 to 10, 9 to 11, or 10 to 12. In one embodiment, the pH of the liquid resource is corrected to 2 to 4, 4 to 6, 6 to 8, 4 to 8, 8 to 9, 9 to 10, 9 to 11, or 10 to 12. In one embodiment, the pH of the liquid resource is corrected to precipitate or dissolve metals.

[0127] In one embodiment, metals are precipitated from the liquid resource to form precipitates. In one embodiment, precipitates include transition metal hydroxides, oxyhydroxides, sulfide, flocculants, aggregate, agglomerates, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the precipitates comprise Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra, Sc, Y, Ti, ,Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W ,Mn, Tc, Fe, Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Hg, B, Al, Ga, In, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi, Se, Te, Po, Br, I, At, other metals, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the precipitates are concentrated into a slurry, a filter cake, a wet filter cake, a dry filter cake, a dense slurry, or a dilute slurry.

[0128] In one embodiment, the precipitates contain iron at a concentration of less than 0.01 mg / kg, 0.01 to 1 mg / kg, 1 to 100 mg / kg, 100 to 10,000 mg / kg, or 10,000 to 800,000 mg / kg. In one embodiment, the precipitates contain manganese at a concentration of less than 0.01 mg / kg, 0.01 to 1 mg / kg, 1 to 100 mg / kg, 100 to 10,000 mg / kg, or 10,000 to 800,000 mg / kg. In one embodiment, the precipitates contain lead at a concentration of less than 0.01 mg / kg, 0.01 to 1 mg / kg, 1 to 100 mg / kg, 100 to 10,000 mg / kg, or 10,000 to 800,000 mg / kg. In one embodiment, the precipitates contain arsenic at a concentration of less than 0.01 mg / kg, 0.01 to 1 mg / kg, 1 to 100 mg / kg, 100 to 10,000 mg / kg, or 10,000 to 800,000 mg / kg. In one embodiment, the precipitates contain magnesium at a concentration of less than 0.01 mg / kg, 0.01 to 1 mg / kg, 1 to 100 mg / kg, 100 to 10,000 mg / kg, or 10,000 to 800,000 mg / kg. In one embodiment, the precipitates contain Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra, Sc, Y, Ti, ,Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W ,Mn, Tc, Fe, Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Hg, B, Al, Ga, In, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi, Se, Te, Po, Br, I, At, or other metals at a concentration of less than 0.01 mg / kg, 0.01 to 1 mg / kg, 1 to 100 mg / kg, 100 to 10,000 mg / kg, or 10,000 to 800,000 mg / kg. In some embodiments, the precipitates are toxic and / or radioactive. In some embodiments, precipitates are redissolved by combining the precipitates with an acidic solution. In oneembodiment, precipitates are redissolved by combining the precipitates with an acidic solution in a mixing apparatus. In one embodiment, precipitates are redissolved by combining the precipitates with an acidic solution using a high-shear mixer.Treatment of the Liquid Resource

[0129] In some embodiments, the pH of the liquid resource is adjusted (e g., modulated, regulated) before, during and / or after contact with ion exchange material to maintain the pH within a range that is suitable, preferred, or ideal for lithium recovery.

[0130] To adjust the pH of a liquid resource to be within a range that is suitable, preferred, or ideal for lithium recovery, bases such as NaOH, LiOH, KOH, Mg(OH)2, Ca(OH)2, CaO, NH3, Na2SO4, K2SO4, NaHSCU, KHSO4, NaOCl, KOC1, NaClO4, KC1O4, NaH2BO3, Na2HBO3, Na3BO3, KH2BO3, K2HBO3, K3BO3, MgHBO3, CaHBO3, NaHCO3, KHCO3, NaCO3, KCO3, MgCO3, CaCO3, Na2O, K2O, Na2CO3, K2CO3, Na3PO4, Na2HPO4, NaH2PO4, K3PO4, K2HPO4, KH2PO4, CaHPO4, MgHPO4, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, magnesium acetate, poly(vinylpyridine), poly(vinylamine), polyacrylonitrile are optionally added to the liquid resource as solids, aqueous solutions, or other forms. For liquid resources that contain divalent ions such as Mg, Ca, Sr, or Ba, addition of base to the liquid resource can cause the formation of precipitates, such as Mg(OH)2 or Ca(OH)2, which can hinder lithium recovery. These precipitates hinder lithium recovery in at least three ways. First, formation of precipitates can remove base from solution, leaving less base available in solution to neutralize protons and maintain pH within a range that is suitable, preferred, or ideal for lithium recovery. Second, precipitates that form due to base addition can hinder flow through an ion exchange device, including hindering flow over the surfaces of ion exchange material, through the pores of porous ion exchange beads, and through the voids between ion exchange material. This hindering of flow can prevent lithium from being absorbed by the ion exchange material utilized in lithium recovery. The hindering of flow can also cause large pressure differences between the inlet and outlet of an ion exchange device utilized for lithium recovery. Third, precipitates in an ion exchange device utilized for lithium recovery can dissolve when placed in contact with an acid eluent, and thereby contaminate the synthetic lithium solution produced by the ion exchange device utilized for lithium recovery.

[0131] For ion exchange material to absorb lithium from a liquid resource for the purpose of lithium recovery, an ideal pH range for the liquid resource is optionally 5 to 7, a preferred pH range is optionally 4 to 8, and a suitable pH range is optionally 1 to 9. In one embodiment, an pH range for the liquid resource is optionally about 1 to about 14, about 2 to about 13, about 3 to about 12, about 4 to about 12, about 4.5 to about 11, about 5 to about 10, about 5 to about 9,about 2 to about 5, about 2 to about 4, about 2 to about 3, about 3 to about 8, about 3 to about 7, about 3 to about 6, about 3 to about 5, about 3 to about 4, about 4 to about 10, about 4 to about 9, about 4 to about 8, about 4 to about 7, about 4 to about 6, about 4 to about 5, about 5 to about 6, about 5 to about 7, about 5 to about 8, about 6 to about 7, about 6 to about 8, or about 7 to about 8.

[0132] In one embodiment, the liquid resource is subjected to treatment prior to ion exchange. In some embodiments, said treatment comprises filtration, gravity sedimentation, centrifugal sedimentation, magnetic fields, other methods of solid-liquid separation, or combinations thereof In some embodiments, precipitated metals are removed from the liquid resource using a filter. In some embodiments, the filter is a belt filter, plate-and-frame filter press, pressure vessel containing filter elements, rotary drum filter, rotary disc filter, cartridge filter, a centrifugal filter with a fixed or moving bed, a metal screen, a perforate basket centrifuge, a three-point centrifuge, a peeler type centrifuge, or a pusher centrifuge. In some embodiments, the filter uses a scroll or a vibrating device. In some embodiments, the filter is horizontal, vertical, or uses a siphon.

[0133] In some embodiments, a filter cake is prevented, limited, or removed by using gravity, centrifugal force, an electric field, vibration, brushes, liquid jets, scrapers, intermittent reverse flow, vibration, crow-flow filtration, or pumping suspensions across the surface of the filter. In some embodiments, the precipitated metals and a liquid is moved tangentially to the filter to limit filter cake growth. In some embodiments, gravitational, magnetic, centrifugal sedimentation, or other means of solid-liquid separation are used before, during, or after filtering to prevent filter cake formation.

[0134] In some embodiments, a filter comprises a screen, a metal screen, a sieve, a sieve bend, a bent sieve, a high frequency electromagnetic screen, a resonance screen, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, one or more particle traps are a solid-liquid separation apparatus.

[0135] In some embodiments, one or more solid-liquid separation apparatuses are used in series or in parallel. In some embodiments, a dilute slurry is removed from the tank, transferred to an external solid-liquid separation apparatus, and separated into a concentrated slurry and a solution with low or no suspended solids. In some embodiments, the concentrated slurry is returned to the tank or transferred to a different tank. In some embodiments, precipitate metals are transferred from a liquid resource tank to another liquid resource tank, from an acid tank to another acid tank, from a washing tank to another washing tank, from a liquid resource tank to a washing tank, from a washing tank to an acid tank, from an acid tank to a washing tank, or from an acid tank to a liquid resource tank.

[0136] In some embodiments, solid-liquid separation apparatuses use gravitational sedimentation. In some embodiments, solid-liquid separation apparatuses include a settling tank, a thickener, a clarifier, a gravity thickener. In some embodiments, solid-liquid separation apparatuses are operated in batch mode, semi-batch mode, semi-continuous mode, or continuous mode. In some embodiments, solid-liquid separation apparatuses include a circular basin thickener with slurry entering through a central inlet such that the slurry is dispersed into the thickener with one or more raking components that rotate and concentrate the ion exchange particles into a zone where the particles can leave through the bottom of the thickener.

[0137] In some embodiments, solid-liquid separation apparatuses comprise a deep cone, a deep cone tank, a deep cone compression tank, or a tank wherein the slurry is compacted by weight. In some embodiments, solid-liquid separation apparatuses comprise a tray thickener with a series of thickeners oriented vertically with a center axle and raking components. In some embodiments, solid-liquid separation apparatuses comprise a lamella type thickener with inclined plates or tubes that are smooth, flat, rough, or corrugated. In some embodiments, solidliquid separation apparatuses comprise a gravity clarifier that comprises a rectangular basin with feed at one end and overflow at the opposite end optionally with paddles and / or a chain mechanism to move particles. In some embodiments, the solid-liquid separation apparatuses comprise a particle trap.

[0138] In some embodiments, the solid-liquid separation apparatuses use centrifugal sedimentation. In some embodiments, solid-liquid separation apparatuses comprise a tubular centrifuge, a multi-chamber centrifuge, a conical basket centrifuge, a scroll-type centrifuge, a sedimenting centrifuge, or a disc centrifuge. In some embodiments, precipitated metals are discharged continuously or intermittently from the centrifuge. In some embodiments, the solidliquid separation apparatus is a hydrocyclone. In some embodiments, solid-liquid separation apparatus is an array of hydrocyclones or centrifuges in series and / or in parallel. In some embodiments, sumps are used to reslurry the precipitated metals. In some embodiments, the hydrocyclones comprise multiple feed points. In some embodiments, a hydrocyclone is used upside down. In some embodiments, liquid is injected near the apex of the cone of a hydrocyclone to improve sharpness of cut. In some embodiments, a weir rotates in the center of the particle trap with a feed of slurried precipitated metals entering near the middle of the apparatus such that precipitated metals get trapped at the bottom and center of the apparatus due to a “teacup effect”.

[0139] Disclosed herein is a system, and associated methods and processes comprising use of a chemical additive. In some embodiments, a chemical additive is added to the liquid resource. In some embodiments, a chemical additive is added to the synthetic lithium solution.In some embodiments, a chemical additive is added to the aqueous wash solution. In some embodiments, treatment of the liquid resource comprises adding a chemical additive to the liquid resource. In some embodiments, a redox modulation unit is configured to add a chemical additive to the liquid resource, the synthetic lithium solution, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a system configured to treat the liquid resource is configured to add a chemical additive to the liquid resource. In some embodiments, a chemical additive is a redox agent. In some embodiments, a chemical additive is an oxidant. In some embodiments, a chemical additive is a reductant.

[0140] In some embodiments, the chemical additive comprises an oxidant. An oxidant is a chemical agent that adjusts the oxidation-reduction potential of a liquid to a higher value, leading to a chemical environment that is more oxidizing. For example, an oxidant such as sodium hypochlorite adjusts the oxidation-reduction potential of water from a value of about 350 mV to a value of about 600 mV, when dosed at about 600 mg / L. The resulting oxidizing chemical environment may cause species in contact in said environments to undergo oxidation reactions. Such oxidation reactions involve the loss of electrons of those species, resulting in them acquiring a higher oxidation state or valence state. In some embodiments, the resulting oxidizing environments prevent species in contact with said environment from undergoing reduction reactions. In some embodiments, said oxidant comprises one of more of oxygen, air, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, nitric acid, a nitrate compound, sodium hypochlorite, bleach, a chlorite, a chlorate, a perchlorate, potassium permanganate, a permanganate, sodium perborate, a perborate, mixtures thereof or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, said oxidant comprises one of more of oxygen, air, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, nitric acid, a nitrate compound, sodium hypochlorite, bleach, potassium permanganate, a permanganate (e.g., a permanganate compound, a permanganate salt, a solution comprising permanganate), sodium perborate, a perborate (e.g., a perborate compound , a perborate salt, a solution comprising perborate), hypochlorous acid, lithium hypochlorite, sodium hypochlorite, potassium hypochlorite, magnesium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, strontium hypochlorite, a persulfate (e.g., a persulfate compound, , a persulfate salt, a solution comprising persulfate), hexavalent chromium compounds (e.g., a compound comprising chromium in a 6+ oxidation state, a solution comprising chromium in a 6+ oxidation state), nitrous oxide, sodium bismuthate, potassium peroxymonosulfate, sulfuric acid, peroxydisulfuric acid, peroxymonosulfuric acid, combinations thereof, or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the chemical additive does not comprise air. In some embodiments, the chemical additive is not air.

[0141] In some embodiments, oxidants comprising bromine include bromine, hypobromite, hypobromous acid, bromite, bromate, tribromide, and perbromate, including salts thereof with countercations comprising lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, or strontium, and including solutions thereof. In some embodiments, oxidants comprising fluorine include fluorine, hypofluorous acid, hypoflurite, fluorite, fluorate, and perfluorate, including salts thereof with countercations comprising lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, or strontium, and including solutions thereof. In some embodiments, oxidants comprising iodine include iodine, hypoiodous acid, hypoiodite, iodiite, iodate, periodate, and triiodine, including salts thereof with countercations comprising lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, or strontium, and including solutions thereof. In some embodiments, oxidants comprising chlorine include chlorine, hypochlorite, chlorite, chlorate, and perchlorate, including salts thereof with countercations comprising lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, or strontium, and including solutions thereof.

[0142] In some embodiments, the chemical additive does not include air, ozone, or hydrogen sulfide scavengers.

[0143] In some embodiments, the chemical additive comprises a reductant. A reductant is a chemical agent that adjusts the oxidation-reduction potential of a liquid to a lower value, leading to a chemical environment that is more reducing. For example, a reductant such as hydrogen adjusts the oxidation-reduction potential of water from a value of about 350 mV to a value of about 0 mV, when bubbled through water. The resulting reducing chemical environment may cause species in contact in said environments to undergo reduction reactions. Such reduction reactions involve the gain of electrons of those species, resulting in them acquiring a lower oxidation state or valence state. In some embodiments, the resulting reducing environments prevent species in contact with said environment from undergoing oxidation reactions. In some embodiments, said reductant comprises one of more of sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, sodium borohydride, formic acid, ascorbic acid, oxalic acid, potassium iodide, hydrogen, other reducing species, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, one or more of the chemical additives are contacted with the ion exchange material as a pure gas, as a pure liquid, a mixture thereof, or a solution thereof.System for Extracting Lithium from a Liquid Resource

[0144] In one aspect described herein, is a system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource comprising an ion exchange device wherein one or more vessels are independently configured to simultaneously accommodate porous ion exchange beads moving in one direction and alternately acid, liquid resource, and optionally other process fluids moving in the netopposite direction. This lithium recovery system produces an eluate that comprises lithium and optionally contains other ions.

[0145] In one aspect described herein, is an ion exchange device for lithium recovery from a liquid resource comprising a stirred tank reactor, an ion exchange material, and a pH modulating unit for increasing the pH of the liquid resource in the stirred tank reactor.

[0146] In one aspect described herein, is an ion exchange device for lithium recovery from a liquid resource comprising a stirred rank reactor, an ion exchange material, a pH modulating unit for increasing the pH of the liquid resource in the stirred tank reactor, and a compartment for containing the ion exchange material in the stirred tank reactor while allowing for removal of liquid resource, washing fluid, acid, and other process fluids from the stirred tank reactor.

[0147] In one embodiment, at least one of the one or more vessels are fitted with a conveyer system suitably outfitted to move porous ion exchange beads upward and simultaneously allow a net flow of acid, liquid resource, and optionally other process fluids, downward. In one embodiment, the conveyor system comprises fins with holes. In one embodiment, the fins slide upward over a sliding surface that is fixed in place In one embodiment, all of the one or more vessels are fitted with a conveyor system suitably outfitted to move porous ion exchange beads upward and simultaneously allow a net flow of acid, liquid resource, and optionally other process solutions, downward. In one embodiment, there are an even number of vessels. In one embodiment, there are an odd number of vessels. In one embodiment, the vessels are columns.

[0148] In some embodiments, structures with holes are used to move the ion exchange material through one or more vessels. In some embodiments, the holes in the structures with holes are less than 10 microns, less than 100 microns, less than 1,000 microns, or less than 10,000 microns in diameter. In some embodiments, the structures with holes are attached to a conveyer system. In some embodiments, the structures with holes comprise a porous compartment, porous partition, or another porous structure. In some embodiments, the structures with holes contain a bed of fixed or fluidized ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the structures with holes contain ion exchange material while allowing liquid resource, aqueous solution, acid solution, or other process fluids to pass through the structures with holes.

[0149] In some embodiments, the porous ion exchange beads comprise one or more ion exchange materials that reversibly exchange lithium and hydrogen and a structural matrix material sufficient to form and support a pore network. In some embodiments, the liquid resource comprises a natural brine, a dissolve salt flat, a concentrated brine, a processed brine, a filtered brine, a liquid from an ion exchange process, a liquid from a solvent extraction process, a synthetic brine, leachate from ores, leachate from minerals, leachate from clays, leachate from recycled products, leachate from recycled materials, or combinations thereof.lon Exchange Devices

[0150] In some embodiments, an ion exchange device comprises a column loaded with ion exchange material, or a form thereof, or a construct comprised thereof. In some embodiments, a pH modulating unit is connected to an ion exchange device loaded with ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the pH modulating unit comprises one or more tanks.

[0151] In some embodiments, an ion exchange device comprises a vessel loaded with ion exchange material, or a form thereof, or a construct comprised thereof . In some embodiments, the pH modulating unit is in fluid communication with the vessel loaded with ion exchange material.

[0152] In some embodiments, an ion exchange device comprises one or more columns loaded with a fixed or fluidized bed of ion exchange beads. In some embodiments, a column comprises a cylindrical construct with an inlet and an outlet. In some embodiments, a column comprises a non-cylindrical construct with an inlet and an outlet. In some embodiments, a column comprises inlets and outlets for pumping of the liquid resource and other process fluids, and additional doors or hatches for loading and unloading ion exchange beads to and from the column. In some embodiments, the column comprises one or more security devices to decrease the risk of theft of the ion exchange beads the column may contain. In some embodiments, ion exchange beads comprise one or more ion exchange materials that can reversibly absorb lithium from a liquid resource and release lithium in an eluent. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material is comprised of ion exchange particles that are optionally protected with coating material such as SiCh, ZrCh, TiCh, polyvinyl chloride, or polyvinyl fluoride to limit dissolution or degradation of the ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads comprise a structural matrix material such as an acid-resistant polymer that binds the ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads contain pores that facilitate penetration of liquid resource, acid, aqueous solutions, and other process fluids into the ion exchange beads to, for example, deliver lithium and hydrogen to and from the bead or to wash the bead. In one embodiment, the pores of the ion exchange beads are structured to form a connected network of pores with a distribution of pore sizes. In one embodiment, the pores of the ion exchange beads are structured by incorporating fdler materials into the ion exchange beads during production and later removing the fdler material using a liquid or gas.Embodiments wherein the Ion Exchange Device Comprises a Filter Press

[0153] An aspect of the disclosure herein is a device for lithium extraction from a liquid resource, wherein said device comprises one or more fdter banks containing a lithium-selectivesorbent. In some embodiments, said lithium extraction comprises a filter press. A filter press is a filtration device known in the field of filtration and solids-liquid separation. An aspect of the disclosure herein is the use of a filter press to extract lithium, wherein said filter press is filled with a lithium-selective sorbent, and said sorbent is contacted with a liquid resource comprising lithium in said filter press. In some embodiments, said sorbent is an ion-exchange material.

[0154] In some embodiments, a filter press comprises multiple filter plates, wherein said filter two filter plates come together to form a filter chamber or filter bank. In some embodiments, each filter bank comprises a compartment containing a lithium-selective sorbent, wherein said compartment is contained within porous partitions In some embodiments, said compartment contains a bed or cake of said sorbent. In some embodiments, said filter bank contains pipes, shapes, and flow paths that connect said sorbent-containing compartment to a fluid distribution manifold that the delivers flow to and form said sorbent. In some embodiments, two porous partitions are located at opposing ends of the compartment containing a lithium-selective sorbent, such that fluid can flow from one partition, through the sorbent, and out of the second partition. In some embodiments, more than two such partitions are located within a filter bank. In some embodiments, said porous partition is a mesh, cloth, other woven material, a screen, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, said porous partition is attached a mechanical device, plate, flow distributor, or scaffolding.

[0155] In some embodiments, the porous partition is a filter cloth. In some embodiments, said partition comprises a filter, a solid-liquid separation device, or other solid-retaining material. In some embodiments, a partition is in contact with the lithium selective sorbent. In some embodiments, said partition is a permeable partition. In some embodiments, said permeable partition is a porous partition. In some embodiments, said permeable partition is a slitted partition that provides support for the ion-exchange bead bed, chemical protection, aids filtration, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, said permeable partition is a porous partition that provides structural support for the bed of lithium-selective sorbent, chemical protection, aids filtration, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the partition between the flow distribution compartment and the compartment containing the ion-exchange beads consists of a porous partition that provides structural support for the ion-exchange bead bed, chemical protection, aids filtration, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the porous partition is a porous polymer partition. In some embodiments, the porous partition is a mesh or polymer membrane. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises one or more meshes of similar or different composition, of similar or different aperture sizes, of similar or different percent open area. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises one or more meshes to provide structural support and / or filtration capabilities. In some embodiments, the porouspartition comprises a v-wire screen, a sintered metal screen, a sintered polymer screen, a flat screen, a cylindrical screen, a screen comprised of wire with cylindrical cross section, a screen comprised of wire with square cross section, a screen comprised of wire with rectangular cross section, a screen comprised of wire with rhomboidal cross section, a screen comprised of wire with triangular cross section, a screen comprised of wire with irregular cross section, a slotted wire screen, a mesh, or a combination thereof, wherein said porous partition is coarse, fine, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises polyether ether ketone, polypropylene, polyethylene, polysulfone mesh, polyester mesh, polyamide, polytetrafluoroethylene, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene polymer, stainless steel, stainless steel mesh coated in polymer, stainless steel mesh coated in ceramic, titanium, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises ion exchange particles. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises porous ion exchange particles. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises a mixture of ion exchange particles with other polymers described above. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises multiple layers.

[0156] In some embodiments, the porous partition is a single layer filtration fabric. In some embodiments, the porous partition is a double layer filtration fabric. In some embodiments, the porous partition is a multi-layer filtration fabric. In some embodiments, the porous partition is a spun fabric. In some embodiments, the porous partition is a is a mixture of fabrics. In some embodiments, the porous partition is a woven fabric. In some embodiments, said fabric is manufactured with one or more weave patterns, including but not limited to a plain, twill, satin, oxford, leno or basket-weave.

[0157] In some embodiments, the porous partition consists of openings in that are of a typical characteristic size of less than about 1 pm, less than about 2 pm, less than about 5 pm, less than about 10 pm, less than about 20 pm, less than about 30 pm, less than about 40 pm, less than about 50 pm, less than about 60 pm, less than about 70 pm, less than about 80 pm, less than about 90 pm, less than about 100 pm, less than about 200 pm, less than about 300 pm, less than about 400 pm, less than about 500 pm, less than about 600 pm, less than about 700 pm, less than about 800 pm, less than about 900 pm, less than about 1000 pm, less than about 2000 pm. In some embodiments, the porous partition consists of openings in that are of a typical characteristic size of more than about 1 pm, more than about 2 pm, more than about 5 pm, more than about 10 pm, more than about 20 pm, more than about 30 pm, more than about 40 pm, more than about 50 pm, more than about 60 pm, more than about 70 pm, more than about 80 pm, more than about 90 pm, more than about 100 pm, more than about 200 pm, more than about 300 pm, more than about 400 pm, more than about 500 pm, more than about 600 pm,more than about 700 pm, more than about 800 pm, more than about 900 pm, more than about 1000 pm, more than about 2000 pm. In some embodiments, the porous partition consists of openings in that are of a typical characteristic size from about 20 pm to about 40 pm, from about 40 pm to about 80 pm, from about 80 pm to about 200 pm, from about 100 pm to about 400 pm, from about 200 pm to about 800 pm, from about 400 pm to about 1000 pm, from about 600 pm to about 2000 pm, from about 1000 pm to about 2000 pm. In some embodiments, the porous partition consists of openings in that are of a typical characteristic size of from about 1 pm to about 2 pm, from about 2 pm to about 4 pm, from about 4 pm to about 10 pm, from about 10 pm to about 20 pm, from about 20 pm to about 40 pm, from about 40 pm to about 100 pm, from about 100 pm to about 200 pm, from about 200 pm to about 400 pm, from about 400 pm to about 1000 pm, from about 1000 pm to about 2000 pm. In some embodiments, the porous partition consists of openings in that are of a typical characteristic size of from about 1 pm to about 10 pm, from about 10 pm to about 100 pm, from about 100 pm to about 1000 pm, from about 1000 pm to about 10000 pm.

[0158] In some embodiments, the air permeability of said permeable partition, measured at 200 Pa, in units of liters per meter square per second, is less than about 1, less than about 5, less than about 10, less than about 50, less than about 100, less than about 500, less than about 1000, less than about 5000, less than about 10,000. In some embodiments, the air permeability of said permeable partition, measured at 200 Pa, in units of liters per meter square per second, is more than about 1, more than about 5, more than about 10, more than about 50, more than about 100, more than about 500, more than about 1000, more than about 5000, more than about 10,000. In some embodiments, the air permeability of said permeable partition, measured at 200 Pa, in units of liters per meter square per second, is from about 0.1 to about 1, from about 1 to about 5, from about 5 to about 10, from about 10 to about 50, from about 50 to about 100, from about 100 to about 500, from about 500 to about 1000, from about 1000 to about 5000, from about 5,000 about 10,000.

[0159] In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises an ion exchange material and a porous polymer. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises an ion exchange material and a porous fiber. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises an ion exchange material and cellulose. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises an ion exchange material and a mesh or polymer membrane. In some embodiments, said partition comprises one or more meshes of similar or different composition, of similar or different aperture sizes, of similar or different percent open area. In some embodiments, side porous partition comprises one or more meshes to provide structural support and / or filtration capabilities. In some embodiments, side porous partition comprises one or partitions, one or more of which comprisean ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises a v-wire screen, a sintered metal screen, a sintered polymer screen, a flat screen, a cylindrical screen, a screen comprised of wire with cylindrical cross section, a screen comprised of wire with square cross section, a screen comprised of wire with rectangular cross section, a screen comprised of wire with rhomboidal cross section, a screen comprised of wire with triangular cross section, a screen comprised of wire with irregular cross section, a slotted wire screen, a mesh, or a combination thereof, wherein said porous partition is coarse, fine, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, said porous partition comprises polyether ether ketone, polypropylene, polyethylene, polysulfone mesh, polyester mesh, polyamide, polytetrafluoroethylene, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene polymer, stainless steel, stainless steel mesh coated in polymer, stainless steel mesh coated in ceramic, titanium, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises ion exchange particles. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises porous ion exchange particles. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises a mixture of ion exchange particles with other polymers described above. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises multiple layers. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprising an ion exchange material extracts lithium in the lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprising an ion exchange material is the only component that extracts lithium in the lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises an ion exchange material, while the filter bank is filled with a packed bed of the same ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises an ion exchange material, while the filter bank is filled with a packed bed a different ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises an ion exchange material, while the filter bank is filled with a packed bed a different lithium selective sorbent.

[0160] In some embodiments, said porous partition optionally contains structures to enable said partition to be incorporated into the assembly of the filter bank. In some embodiments, these structures comprise, but are not limited to, holes, slits, cutouts, perforations, protrusions, gaskets, or rings. In some embodiments, said structures comprise a flexible cylinder that forms an octagonal shape spanning the entire porous partition, providing a structural reinforcement. In some embodiments,, the porous surface is contained within said octagon. In some embodiments, said reinforcement is surrounded by the material that the porous partition is made of. In some embodiments, said structural reinforcement is caulked into an octagonally-shaped groove on the filter bank using a mallet, resulting in the porous partition being immobilized directly onto the filter bank.

[0161] In some embodiments, the filter cloths are gasketed. In some embodiments, the filter cloths are non-gasketed. In some embodiments, the filter cloths span more than one filter bank.

[0162] In some embodiments, the compartment containing the lithium selective sorbent or ion-exchange beads is treated with a fluid. In some embodiments, the compartment containing the lithium selective sorbent or ion-exchange beads is treated with water or other solutions for the purposes of adjusting the concentration, composition, pH, or contaminant level of the fluid flowing through the vessel. In some embodiments, the compartment containing the lithium selective sorbent or ion-exchange beads is treated with a lithium-containing liquid resource to absorb lithium. In some embodiments, the compartment containing the lithium selective sorbent or ion-exchange beads is treated with an acidic solution to release absorbed lithium. In some embodiments, the compartment containing the lithium selective sorbent or ion-exchange beads is treated with multiple fluids. In some embodiments, in order to contact the lithium-selective sorbent with said fluid, fluid is directed from the inlet of the lithium extraction device to the one or more filter plates in said device. In some embodiments, said direction of flow is achieved by means of optional inlet-and outlet- flows to and from said compartment within a filter plate. In some embodiments, such inlet- and outlet flows are located at the top, bottom, center, off-center, or side of said compartments. In some embodiments, such inlet- and outlet flows are located at the top, bottom, center, off-center, or side of said filter plate. In some embodiments, the inlet- and outlet flows to and from said compartment are injected and removed from the internal space of said compartments by means of piping, tubing, orifices, or other internal components that protrude into said compartment.

[0163] In some embodiments, one or more pipes are in fluid contact with each filter plate, with each of said pipes delivering or removing fluid flows to and from said filter plate. In some embodiments, one such pipe is present in the filter plate. In some embodiments, two such pipes are present in the filter plate. In some embodiments, three such pipes are present in the filter plate. In some embodiments, four such pipes are present in the filter plate. In some embodiments, five such pipes are present in the filter plate. In a preferred embodiment, four such fluid deliver pipes are located at the four corners of a filter plate. In some embodiments, more than five such pipes are present in the filter plate.

[0164] In some embodiments, said pipes have a diameter of less than about 1 mm, less than about 2 mm, less than about 5 mm, less than about 10 mm, less than about 20 mm, less than about 30 mm, less than about 40 mm, less than about 50 mm, less than about 60 mm, less than about 70 mm, less than about 80 mm, less than about 90 mm, less than about 100 mm, less than about 200 mm, less than about 500 mm, less than about 1000 mm, less than about 1500 mm, less than about 2000 mm. In some embodiments, said pipes or have a diameter of more than about 1 mm, more than about 2 mm, more than about 5 mm, more than about 10 mm, more than about 20 mm, more than about 30 mm, more than about 40 mm, more than about 50 mm, more thanabout 60 mm, more than about 70 mm, more than about 80 mm, more than about 90 mm, more than about 100 mm, more than about 200 mm, more than about 500 mm, more than about 1000 mm, more than about 1500 mm, more than about 2000 mm. In some embodiments said pipes or have a diameter of about 1 mm to about 2 mm, from about 2 mm to about 4 mm, from about 4 mm to about 10 mm, from about 10 mm to about 20 mm from about 20 mm to about 40 mm, from about 40 mm to about 100 mm, from about 100 mm to about 500 mm, from about 500 mm to about 1500 mm, from about 1500 mm to about 2000 mm. In some embodiments, said pipes or have a length of less than about 1 cm, less than about 2 cm, less than about 5 cm, less than about 10 cm, less than about 20 cm, less than about 30 cm, less than about 40 cm, less than about 50 cm, less than about 60 cm, less than about 70 cm, less than about 80 cm, less than about 90 cm, less than about 100 cm, less than about 200 cm, less than about 500 cm, less than about 10 m. In some embodiments, said pipes or have a length of more than about 1 cm, more than about 2 cm, more than about 5 cm, more than about 10 cm, more than about 20 cm, more than about 30 cm, more than about 40 cm, more than about 50 cm, more than about 60 cm, more than about 70 cm, more than about 80 cm, more than about 90 cm, more than about 100 cm, more than about 200 cm, more than about 500 cm, more than about 10 m. In some embodiments, said or pipes have a length of about 1 cm to about 2 cm, from about 2 cm to about 4 cm, from about 4 cm to about 10 cm, from about 10 cm to about 20 cm, from about 20 cm to about 50 cm, from about 50 cm to about 100 cm, from about 100 cm to about 200 cm, from about 200 cm to about 10 m.

[0165] In some embodiments, said pipes have a diameter of less than about 1 mm, less than about 2 mm, less than about 5 mm, less than about 10 mm, less than about 20 mm, less than about 30 mm, less than about 40 mm, less than about 50 mm, less than about 60 mm, less than about 70 mm, less than about 80 mm, less than about 90 mm, less than about 100 mm, less than about 200 mm, less than about 500 mm, less than about 1000 mm, less than about 1500 mm, less than about 2000 mm. In some embodiments, said pipes or have a diameter of more than about 1 mm, more than about 2 mm, more than about 5 mm, more than about 10 mm, more than about 20 mm, more than about 30 mm, more than about 40 mm, more than about 50 mm, more than about 60 mm, more than about 70 mm, more than about 80 mm, more than about 90 mm, more than about 100 mm, more than about 200 mm, more than about 500 mm, more than about 1000 mm, more than about 1500 mm, more than about 2000 mm. In some embodiments said pipes or have a diameter of about 1 mm to about 2 mm, from about 2 mm to about 4 mm, from about 4 mm to about 10 mm, from about 10 mm to about 20 mm from about 20 mm to about 40 mm, from about 40 mm to about 100 mm, from about 100 mm to about 500 mm, from about 500 mm to about 1500 mm, from about 1500 mm to about 2000 mm. In some embodiments, said pipes or have a length of less than about 1 cm, less than about 2 cm, less than about 5 cm, less than about10 cm, less than about 20 cm, less than about 30 cm, less than about 40 cm, less than about 50 cm, less than about 60 cm, less than about 70 cm, less than about 80 cm, less than about 90 cm, less than about 100 cm, less than about 200 cm, less than about 500 cm, less than about 10 m . In some embodiments, said pipes or have a length of more than about 1 cm, more than about 2 cm, more than about 5 cm, more than about 10 cm, more than about 20 cm, more than about 30 cm, more than about 40 cm, more than about 50 cm, more than about 60 cm, more than about 70 cm, more than about 80 cm, more than about 90 cm, more than about 100 cm, more than about 200 cm, more than about 500 cm, more than about 10 m. In some embodiments, said or pipes have a length of about 1 cm to about 2 cm, from about 2 cm to about 4 cm, from about 4 cm to about 10 cm, from about 10 cm to about 20 cm, from about 20 cm to about 50 cm, from about 50 cm to about 100 cm, from about 100 cm to about 200 cm, from about 200 cm to about 10 m.

[0166] In some embodiments, the ratio of the diameter of said pipe to the dimension of the filter plate is less than about 0.01, less than about 0.1, less than about 1, less than about 10, less than about 100. In some embodiments, the ratio of the diameter of said pipe to the dimension of the filter plate is more than about 0.01, more than about 0.1, more than about 1, more than about 10, more than about 100. In some embodiments, the ratio of the diameter of said pipe to the dimension of the filter plate is from about 0.01 to about 0.1, from about 0.1 to about 1, from about 1 to about 10, from about 10 to about 100. In some embodiments, one or more pipes of equivalent or different dimensions are found within a filter plate. In some embodiments, one or more of these pipes are connected. In some embodiments, one or more of said pipes are oriented with respect to each other in parallel, perpendicular, at an angle, in varying geometries, or in a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ratio of the diameters of pipes within the same filter plate is less than about 0.01, less than about 0.1, less than about 1, less than about 10, less than about 100. In some embodiments, the ratio of the diameters of pipes within the same filter plate is more than about 0.01, more than about 0.1, more than about 1, more than about 10, more than about 100. In some embodiments, the ratio of the diameters of pipes within the same filter plate is from about 0.01 to about 0.1, from about 0.1 to about 1, from about 1 to about 10, from about 10 to about 100.

[0167] In some embodiments, said additional pipes are connected to one or more orifices which deliver fluid to and from the flow distribution surface. In some embodiments, orifices provide a fluid connection from the piping that delivers flow to the filter plate to the flow distribution surfaces. In some embodiments, one such orifice delivers flow. In some embodiments, more than one orifice delivers flow. In some embodiments, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 orifices deliver flow. In some embodiments, more than 20 orifices deliver flow. In some embodiments, said orifices have a diameter of less than about 1mm, less than about 2 mm, less than about 5 mm, less than about 10 mm, less than about 20 mm, less than about 30 mm, less than about 40 mm, less than about 50 mm, less than about 60 mm, less than about 70 mm, less than about 80 mm, less than about 90 mm, less than about 100 mm. In some embodiments, said orifices have a diameter of more than about 1 mm, more than about 2 mm, more than about 5 mm, more than about 10 mm, more than about 20 mm, more than about 30 mm, more than about 40 mm, more than about 50 mm, more than about 60 mm, more than about 70 mm, more than about 80 mm, more than about 90 mm, more than about 100 mm. In some embodiments, said pipes have a diameter of about 1 mm to about 2 mm, from about 2 mm to about 4 mm, from about 4 mm to about 10 mm, from about 10 mm to about 20 mm. In some embodiments, said orifices have a length of less than about 1 cm, less than about 2 cm, less than about 5 cm, less than about 10 cm, less than about 20 cm, less than about 30 cm, less than about 40 cm, less than about 50 cm, less than about 60 cm, less than about 70 cm, less than about 80 cm, less than about 90 cm, less than about 100 cm, less than about 200 cm, less than about 500 cm, less than about 10 m. In some embodiments, said orifices have a length of more than about 1 cm, more than about 2 cm, more than about 5 cm, more than about 10 cm, more than about 20 cm, more than about 30 cm, more than about 40 cm, more than about 50 cm, more than about 60 cm, more than about 70 cm, more than about 80 cm, more than about 90 cm, more than about 100 cm, more than about 200 cm, more than about 500 cm, more than about 10 m. In some embodiments, said orifices have a length of about 1 cm to about 2 cm, from about 2 cm to about 4 cm, from about 4 cm to about 10 cm, from about 10 cm to about 20 cm, from about 20 cm to about 50 cm, from about 50 cm to about 100 cm, from about 100 cm to about 200 cm, from about 200 cm to about 10 m.

[0168] In some embodiments, pipes, orifices, and flow distribution surfaces are configured to direct a flow of a liquid resource through the one or more filter plates and out of said one or more filter plates, wherein the sorbent material contained in said filter plate selectively absorbs lithium. In some embodiments, pipes, orifices, and flow distribution surfaces are configured to uniformly distribute the flow of liquid through the sorbent material contained in the filter plate. In some embodiments, said flow uniformity implies that each volume of sorbent material within the filter plate is contacted with the same volume of liquid resource within a given time period. In some embodiments, uniform distribution of flow through the sorbent material results in a higher lithium absorption capacity of the sorbent, a higher selectivity for lithium absorption by the sorbent over other ions present in the liquid resource, a minimized distance required to flow the liquid through the one or more filter plates, a reduced change in pressure when flowing liquid across the one or more filter plates, a longer life time of the sorbent, a longer life time of the ion-exchange material, or a combination thereof.

[0169] In some embodiments, the devices, vessels, system, and methods described herein utilize a flow distribution compartment to optimize the flow of various solutions or gases through the devices, vessels, pipes, filter plates, and lithium-selective sorbents materials. In some embodiments, the inlet- and outlet flows to and from the flow distribution compartments are injected and remove from the internal space of said compartments by means of piping, tubing, or other internal components that protrude into said compartment. In some embodiments, the inlet- and outlet flows to and from the flow distribution compartments are injected and remove from the internal space of said compartments by means of piping, tubing, or other internal components that protrude into said compartment In some embodiments, the flow distribution compartment are optionally treated with a lithium containing resource, hydrogen ion-containing acid, water, or other solutions for the purposes of adjusting the concentration, composition, pH, or contaminant level of the fluid flowing through the vessel. This is achieved by means of an optional inlet-and outlet- flows to and from the flow distribution compartment.

[0170] In some embodiments, said filter plates contain structural supports that allow said plates to be mounted within a larger lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, solid filter plates comprise a compartment containing a lithium-selective sorbent or ion-exchange material. In some embodiments, multiple filter plates are found within a single lithium extraction device, such that they form a stack of filter plates. In some embodiments said stack of filter plates is formed into a filter press In some embodiments, said filter press is oriented vertically, horizontally, or slanted with respect to the ground.

[0171] In some embodiments, the bed of ion exchange material is contained within said filter bank. In some embodiments, the bed of lithium selective sorbent is contained within said filter bank. In some embodiments, said bed of ion exchange material has a characteristic “thickness”, wherein “thickness” is defined as the average dimension of the said solid mass, measured in a direction that is parallel to the direction of fluid flow through the filter bank.

[0172] In some embodiments, the typical thickness of the chamber containing solids between filter plates is less than about 1 cm, less than about 2 cm, less than about 4 cm, less than about 6 cm, less than about 8 cm, less than about 10 cm, less than about 20 cm, less than about 40 cm, less than about 60 cm, less than about 80 cm, less than about 1 m, less than about 2 m, less than about 4 m. In some embodiments, the typical thickness of the chamber containing solids between filter plates is more than about 1 cm, less than about 2 cm, less than about 4 cm, less than about 6 cm, less than about 8 cm, less than about 10 cm, less than about 20 cm, less than about 40 cm, less than about 60 cm, less than about 80 cm, less than about 1 m, less than about 2 m, less than about 4 m. In some embodiments, the typical thickness of the chamber containing solids between filter plates is from about 1 cm to about 2 cm, from about 2 cm toabout 4 cm, from about 4 cm to about 8 cm, from about 8 cm to about 20 cm, from about 20 cm to about 40 cm, from about 40 cm to about 80 cm, from about 80 cm to about 120 cm, from about 120 cm to about 2 m, from about 2 m to about 4 m. In a preferred embodiment, the typical thickness of the chamber containing solids between filter plates is selected from 18 mm, 25 mm, 32 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, or 60 mm.

[0173] In some embodiments, the chamber holds a maximum volume of solids, this is the maximum volume of lithium selective sorbent that can be contained within each filter bank. In some embodiments, said volume is less than about 1 mL, less than about 10 mL, less than about 100 mL, less than about 1 L, less than about 10 L, less than about 100 L, less than about 1 cubic meter, less than about 10 cubic meters. In some embodiments, said volume is more than about 1 mL, more than about 10 mL, more than about 100 mL, more than about 1 L, more than about 10 L, more than about 100 L, more than about 1 cubic meter, more than about 10 cubic meters. In some embodiments, said volume is from about 0.1 mL to about 1 mL, from about 1 mL to about 10 mL, from about 10 mL to about 100 mL, from about 100 mL to about 1 L, from about 1 L to about 10 L, from about 10 L to about 100 L, from about 100 L to about 1 cubic meter, from about 1 cubic meter to about 10 cubic meters, from about 10 cubic meters.

[0174] In some embodiments, the porous partition in the chamber comprises a fixed surface area per chamber. In some embodiments, said area is less than about 1 cm2, less than about 10 cm2, less than about 100 cm2, less than about 1,000 cm2, less than about 1 m2, less than about 10 m2, less than about 100 m2, less than about 1000 m2In some embodiments, said volume is more than about 1 cm2, more than about 10 cm2, more than about 100 cm2, more than about 1,000 cm2, more than about 1 m2, more than about 10 m2, more than about 100 m2, more than about 1000 m2. In some embodiments, said volume is from about 0.1 cm2to about 1 cm2, from about 1 cm2to about 10 cm2, from about 10 cm2to about 100 cm2, from about 100 cm2to about 1,000 cm2, from about 1,000 cm2to about 1 m2, from about 1 m2to about 10 m2, from about 10 m2to about 100 m2, from about 100 m2cubic meter to about 1,000 m2.

[0175] In some embodiments, the bed of ion exchange material is contained between two fdter plates. In some embodiments, said bed of ion exchange material has a characteristic “cross sectional length” of said bed, defined as the average dimension of the said solid mass, measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow through the filter bank. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional length of said bed is less than about 1 cm, less than about 2 cm, less than about 4 cm, less than about 6 cm, less than about 8 cm, less than about 10 cm, less than about 20 cm, less than about 40 cm, less than about 60 cm, less than about 80 cm, less than about 1 m, less than about 2 m, less than about 4 m. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional length of said bed is more than about 1 cm, less than about 2 cm, less than about 4 cm, less thanabout 6 cm, less than about 8 cm, less than about 10 cm, less than about 20 cm, less than about 40 cm, less than about 60 cm, less than about 80 cm, less than about 1 m, less than about 2 m, less than about 4 m. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional length of said bed is from about 1 cm to about 2 cm, from about 2 cm to about 4 cm, from about 4 cm to about 8 cm, from about 8 cm to about 20 cm, from about 20 cm to about 40 cm, from about 40 cm to about 80 cm, from about 80 cm to about 120 cm, from about 120 cm to about 2 m, from about 2 m to about 4 m, from about 4 m to about 8 m. In a preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional length is selected from: about 250 mm, 320 mm, 470 mm, 630 mm, 800 mm, 1000 mm, 1200 mm, 1500 mm, 2000 mm, 4000 mm. In some embodiments, the bed of sorbent material is not square, and comprises a cross-sectional length that is selected from two of the following dimensions: about 250 mm, 320 mm, 470 mm, 630 mm, 800 mm, 1000 mm, 1200 mm, 1500 mm, 2000 mm, 4000 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional length of the bed of lithium-selective sorbent is 2000 mm x 4000 mm, 1500 mm x 2000 mm, 2500 mm by 5000 mm, or a combination thereof.

[0176] In some embodiments, the device containing ion-exchange beads is comprised of multiple and separate ion-exchange compartments arranged within a single vessel. In some embodiments, the lithium extraction device comprises multiple and separate lithium extraction compartments arranged within a single vessel. In some embodiments, the lithium extraction devices comprises multiple individual fdter banks - each containing an individual lithiumselective sorbent compartment - where lithium is absorbed by said lithium selective sorbent. In some embodiments, said compartments comprise individual fdter banks. In some embodiments, said multiple compartments comprise the fdter chambers contained between fdter plates in a fdter press. In some embodiments, there is more than one lithium extraction compartments lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, there are less than about two, less than about three, less than about five, less than about ten, less than about twenty, less than about thirty, less than about fifty, less than about one-hundred, less than about two-hundred individual compartments within a single lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, there are more than about two, more than about three, more than about five, more than about ten, more than about twenty, more than about thirty, more than about fifty, more than about one-hundred, more than about two-hundred individual compartments within a single lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, a single lithium extraction device comprises about two, about three, about five, about ten, about twenty, about thirty, about fifty, about one-hundred, about one hundred and fifty, or about two-hundred individual lithium extraction compartments.

[0177] In some embodiments, the multiple filter banks are held together by a device that applies a mechanical force that presses the individual filter banks together. In someembodiments, said device comprises a hydraulic system, comprising one more pistons and one or more devices to apply a hydraulic force on said piston. In some embodiments, the mechanical force is applied to one structurally reinforced component that is in contact with the first plate in the stack of filter banks, and the compressive force is distributed across all filter plates in the device. In some embodiments, said force is applied by means of a pressurized hydraulic fluid system, pressurized air system, mechanical tensions system, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the pressure applied to compress all filter bank together is less than 50 psi, less than 150 psi, less than 500 psi, less than 1000 psi, less than 2500 psi, or less than 5000 psi. In some embodiments the pressure applied is more than 50 psi, more than 150 psi, more than 500 psi, more than 1000 psi, more than 2500 psi, or more than 5000 psi. In some embodiments, the pressure applied is from 50 psi to 150 psi, from 150 psi to 500 psi, from 500 psi to 1000 psi, from 1000 psi to 2500 psi, from 2500 psi to 5000 psi.

[0178] In devices comprising multiple beds of lithium-selective sorbent, all beds are connected to a shared flow distribution manifold, such that flow of liquid to and from said beds of lithium-selective sorbent occur in parallel. In some embodiments, a multitude of ionexchange beds share the same inlet and outlet flows in parallel, wherein a different multitude of ion-exchange beds share a different set of inlet and outlet flows.

[0179] In some embodiments, the filter press comprises filter plates. In some embodiments, filter plates comprise structures, flow distributors, orifices, fluid conduits, fluid conducts, membranes, structural supports, and any other component that is required for the assembly of a filter bank. In some embodiments, two filter plates are assembled together to form a filter bank between them, wherein said filter bank contains a space or chamber that can be loaded with a lithium-selective sorbent. An example of such an assembly is shown in FIG. 4; two opposing filter plates 40204 come together to form a single filter bank comprising a bed of lithiumselective sorbent 40215. In some embodiments, said filter plates are chamber filter plates. In some embodiments, said filter plates are recessed chamber filter plates. In some embodiments, said filter plates are diaphragm squeeze filter plates. In some embodiments said filter plates are chosen from, but not limited to, one or more of the following types of filter plates commonly known in the field of the art: recessed, chamber recessed chamber, plate-and-frame, membrane squeeze, diaphragm squeeze, flush plate and frame, mineral plates, gasketed, non-gasketed, mixtures thereof or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, said filter plates are constructed out of a metal, stainless steel, carbon steel, titanium, Hastelloy, nickel, Inconel, Monel, tantalum, alloys thereof, or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, said filter plates are construcuted out of polymer, a fluoropolymer, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyethylene terephthalate,polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, polyphenylene sulfide, tetrapolyethylene, PVDF, EPDM, Viton, rubber, Bunna-N, natural rubber, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof In some embodiments, multiple plates described above are stacked in such a manner so as to form a multitude of parallel filter banks. In some embodiments, the assembled filter banks constitute a filter press, and said filter press is used to contain a lithium-selective sorbent and used to extract lithium. In some embodiments, there is more than one filter plate in said filter press. In some embodiments, there are less than about two, less than about three, less than about five, less than about ten, less than about twenty, less than about thirty, less than about fifty, less than about one-hundred, less than about two- hundred individual filter plates in said filter press. In some embodiments, there are more than about two, more than about three, more than about five, more than about ten, more than about twenty, more than about thirty, more than about fifty, more than about one-hundred, more than about two-hundred filter plates in said filter press. In some embodiments, a single lithium extraction device comprises about two, about three, about five, about ten, about twenty, about thirty, about fifty, about one-hundred, about one hundred and fifty, or about two-hundred filter plates in said filter press.

[0180] In some embodiments, the filter press comprises filter plates equipped with a membrane squeeze feature. In some embodiments, the filter press comprises membrane filter plates. In some embodiments, said membrane filter plates comprise one or more components that are deformed or expanded after the filter bank is filled with the lithium selective sorbent, in a manner that applies a compressive or “squeezing” force on said sorbent. Said deformable components are optionally referred to as a “membrane”. In some embodiments, said compression results in additional compaction of the bed of lithium-selective sorbent. In some embodiments, said compression increases the uniformity of the bed of lithium-selective sorbent. In some embodiments, said compression results in improved uniformity of flow when contacting said lithium-selective sorbent with a liquid stream. In some embodiments, said compression is applied continually during operation of the lithium-extraction device. In some embodiments, said compression is applied intermittently during operation of the lithium-extraction device.

[0181] In some embodiments, the expandable membrane component that applies mechanical compression or “squeezing” on the sorbent comprises the flow distribution compartment or surface. In the field of the art, such an operating may be denoted as a membrane squeeze. In some embodiments, the membrane comprises low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), types of polyamide, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polysulfone, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), poly (4-vinyl pyridine-co-styrene) (PVPCS), polystyrene (PS), polybutadiene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene polymer (ETFE), poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene) (PCTFE), ethylene chlorotrifluoro ethylene (Halar), polyvinylfluoride (PVF), fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP), perfluorinated elastomer, chlorotrifluoroethylenevinylidene fluoride (FKM), perfluoropolyether (PFPE), perfluoro-3,6- dioxa-4-methyl-7-octene-sulfonic acid (NAFION® (copolymer of perfluoro-3,6-dioxa-4-methyl- 7-octene-sulfonic acid and tetrafluoroethylene)), polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, sodium polyacrylate, polyethylene-block-poly(ethylene glycol), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polychloroprene (neoprene), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), expanded polystyrene (EPS), polydivinylbenzene, co-polymers thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. In a further aspect, a coating material comprises polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene chlorotrifluoro ethylene (Halar), poly (4-vinyl pyridine-co-styrene) (PVPCS), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyphenylene sulfide, sulfonated polymer, carboxylated polymer, other polymers, co-polymers thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a filter cake of lithium selective sorbent is held within said filter bank, wherein said cake is formed by flowing a suspension of said sorbent through said filter bank.

[0182] In some embodiments, the pressure applied to deform the membrane is less than 5 psi, less than 25 psi, less than 50 psi, less than 100 psi, less than 150 psi, less than 250 psi, or less than 500 psi. In some embodiments, the pressure applied to deform the membrane component of the filter bank is more than 5 psi, more than 25 psi, more than 50 psi, more than 100 psi, more than 150 psi, more than 250 psi, or more than 500 psi. In some embodiments, the pressure applied to deform the membrane component of the filter bank is from about 1 psi to about 5 psi, from about 5 psi to about 25 psi, from about 25 psi to about 50 psi, from about 50 psi to about 100 psi, from about 100 psi to about 150 psi, from about 150 psi to about 250 psi, from about 250 psi to about 500 psi. In some embodiments, the pressure applied to deform the membrane component of the filter bank remains constant during operation of the lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, the pressure applied to deform the membrane component of the filter bank is varied during operation of the lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, the pressure applied to deform the membrane component of the filter bank is applied after said filter bank is loaded with said sorbent, and then released. In some embodiments, the pressure applied to deform the membrane component of the filter bank is applied after said filter bank is loaded with said sorbent, and then maintained during all subsequent operations. In some embodiments, the pressure applied to deform the membrane component of the filter bank is applied when the lithium-selective sorbent is contacted with a liquid resource comprising lithium. In some embodiments, the pressure applied to deform themembrane component of the filter bank is applied when the lithium-selective sorbent is contacted with an acidic eluent that releases lithium form said sorbent. In some embodiments, the pressure applied to deform the membrane component of the filter bank is applied during washing of the lithium-selective sorbent with a washing solution. In some embodiments, the pressure applied to deform the membrane component of the filter bank is applied without a liquid stream being in contact with the lithium selective sorbent

[0183] In some embodiment, the pressure on the deformable flow distribution surface is applied by means of compressed air or a compressed liquid. In some embodiment, the pressure on the deformable flow distribution surface is applied by a hydraulic system. In some embodiment, the pressure on the deformable flow distribution surface is applied by a mechanical device, such as a piston.

[0184] In some embodiments, the pressure thus applied on the bed of lithium selective sorbent decreases the volume of said bed. In some embodiments, the pressure thus applied on the bed of lithium selective sorbent decreases the volume of said bed by about 0.01 %, by about 0.1 %, by about 1 %, by about 5 %, by about 10 %, by about 25 %, by about 50 %, by about 75 %, or by about 100 %. In some embodiments, the pressure thus applied on the bed of lithium selective sorbent decreases the volume of said bed by more than about 0.01 %, by more than about 0.1 %, by more than about 1 %, by more than about 5 %, by more than about 10 %, by more than about 25 %, by more than about 50 %, by more than about 75 %, or by more than about 100 %. In some embodiments, the pressure thus applied on the bed of lithium selective sorbent decreases the volume of said bed by less than about 0.01 %, by less than about 0.1 %, by less than about 1 %, by less than about 5 %, by less than about 10 %, by less than about 25 %, by less than about 50 %, by less than about 75 %, or by less than about 100 %. In some embodiments, the pressure thus applied on the bed of lithium selective sorbent decreases the volume of said bed from about 0.01 % to about 0.1 %, from about 0.1 % to about 1 %, from about 1 % to about 5 %, from about 5 % to about 10 %, from about 10 % to about 25 %, from about 25 % to about 50 %, from about 50 % to about 75 %, from about 75 % to about 100 %.

[0185] In some embodiments, said deformable components or membrane are welded to the rest of the filter bank. In some embodiments, said components are replaceable. In some embodiments, said components are manufactured of the same material as the rest of the filter bank. In some embodiments, said components are manufactured of a different material from the rest of the filter bank.

[0186] In some embodiments, the deformable component applies pressure on the bed of lithium-selective sorbent from one side of said bed. In some embodiments, the deformable component applies pressure on the bed of lithium-selective sorbent from both sides of said bed.In some embodiments, the deformable component applies pressure on the bed of lithiumselective sorbent from multiple directions. In some embodiments, the direct from which pressure is applied varies with time. In some embodiments, the direct from which pressure is applied depends on the fluid which is being contacted with the lithium-selective sorbent. In some embodiments, the deformable component is a membrane.

[0187] In some embodiments, the lithium selective sorbent is loaded into the lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, said lithium-selective sorbent is an ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the lithium selective sorbent is loaded into the lithium extraction device, and pressure is applied on the loaded sorbent using the deformable component in the filter bank. In some embodiments, the lithium selective sorbent is loaded into the lithium extraction device, and the loaded sorbent is squeezed using a membrane in said filter bank. In some embodiments, said pressure is applied on the loaded sorbent after initial loading of said sorbent, and then released. In some embodiments, said pressure is applied on the loaded sorbent during the entire operation of said device for lithium extraction, during certain periods of said operation. In some embodiments, said pressure is applied on the loaded sorbent when said sorbent absorbs lithium from a liquid resource. In some embodiments, said pressure is applied on the loaded sorbent when said sorbent releases the absorbed lithium to produce an acidic eluent solution. In some embodiments, said pressure is applied on the loaded sorbent when said sorbent is being washed with a wash solution. In some embodiments, said pressure is applied on the loaded sorbent when said sorbent is contacted with water. In some embodiments, said pressure is applied on the loaded sorbent when said sorbent is contacted with a gas.

[0188] In some embodiments, the lithium selective sorbent is loaded into the lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, in order to load said sorbent into the device, the lithium selective sorbent is suspended in a fluid within a vessel. For the purposes of this disclosure, suspension of a solid in a liquid is also termed “fluidization”, or fluidization of said solids. In some embodiments, said fluid is water, a liquid resource containing lithium, a brine, an acidic eluent solution, an acidic solution, or a mixture thereof. In some embodiments, said fluid is a gas flown in a manner that fluidizes the sorbent. In some embodiments, the sorbent is suspended in a liquid by agitating sorbent in said liquid, such that the solids are distributed uniformly or non-uniformly throughout the fluid. In some embodiments, the distribution of solids in said fluid allows for the solids to be conveyed out of the vessel where it is contained. In some embodiments, suspension of said solids occurs by agitation of solid solids and said fluid, wherein agitation occurs with a mechanical agitator, an eductor, fluid recirculation, baffles, shaking, tapping or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the fluidization of said ion exchange material occurs by means of contact with one or more gases phases. In someembodiments, the fluidization of said ion exchange material occurs by means of contact with a liquid resource, a wash solution, an acidic solution, one or more alternate phases or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, said ion exchange material is fluidized during contact with said liquid resource. In some embodiments, said ion exchange material is fluidized during contact with said acidic solution. In some embodiments, said ion exchange material is fluidized during contact with said alternate phase. In some embodiments, said ion exchange material is fluidized during contact with said wash solution.

[0189] In some embodiments, initial fluidization of the solids is aided by contacting a pressurized gas with said solid sorbent and said fluid. In some embodiments, said aiding occurs by the additional turbulence and break up of the consolidated solids at the bottom of the vessel where said solids are stored. In some embodiments, said gas is air, nitrogen, argon, oxygen, chlorine, a different gas, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, injection of said gas for contact with the solid and fluid occurs through one or more of a pipe, tubing, channels, slits, beams, baffles, baskets, scallops, nozzles, or a mesh. In some embodiments, the components that direct flow within the vessel are perforated. In some embodiments, the openings or perforations in the components that distribute flow are shaped as circles, ovals, vertical or horizontal slits, squares, crosses, rectangles, triangles, irregular shapes, or a combination thereof.

[0190] In some embodiments, flow of the gas occurs from the top to the bottom of the vessel. In some embodiments, flow of the gas occurs from the bottom to the top of the vessel. In some embodiments, flow of the gas occurs from the inside to the outside of the vessel. In some embodiments, flow of the gas occurs from the outside to the inside of the vessel.

[0191] In one embodiment, the vessel has an internal nozzle designed to distribute flow of the gas evenly. In one embodiment, the vessel has nozzles placed equidistant with each other on a support plate. In one embodiment the nozzles are spaced out so that each nozzle covers the same area. In one embodiment the nozzles have slits or holes of width of less than 0.1 pm, less than 1 pm, less than 10 pm, less than 100 pm, or less than 1 mm. In one embodiment, the vessel has mesh with holes less than 0.1 pm, less than 1 pm, less than 10 pm, less than 100 pm, or less than 1000 pm. In some embodiments, the openings or perforation in one or more for the flow distribution components, such as pipes, tubing, channels, slits, beams, baffles, baskets, scallops, nozzles, or a mesh, have a dimension of less than about 10 pm, less than about 20 pm, less than about 30 pm, less than about 40 pm, less than about 50 pm, less than about 60 pm, less than about 70 pm, less than about 80 pm, less than about 90 pm, less than about 100 pm, less than about 200 pm, less than about 300 pm, less than about 400 pm, less than about 500 pm, less than about 600 pm, less than about 700 pm, less than about 800 pm, less than about 900 pm, less than about 1000 pm, less than about 2000 pm, less than about 4000 pm, less than about8000 pm, or less than about 10000 pm. In some embodiments, the openings or perforation in one or more for the flow distribution components have a dimension of less than about 10 pm, more than about 20 pm, more than about 30 pm, more than about 40 pm, more than about 50 pm, more than about 60 pm, more than about 70 pm, more than about 80 pm, more than about 90 pm, more than about 100 pm, more than about 200 pm, more than about 300 pm, more than about 400 pm, more than about 500 pm, more than about 600 pm, more than about 700 pm, more than about 800 pm, more than about 900 pm, more than about 1000 pm, more than about 2000 pm, more than about 4000 pm, more than about 8000 pm, or more than about 10000 pm. In some embodiments, the openings or perforation in one or more for the flow distribution components have a dimension of less than about 10 pm to about 20 pm, from about 20 pm to about 40 pm, from about 40 pm to about 80 pm, from about 80 pm to about 200 pm, from about 100 pm to about 400 pm, from about 200 pm to about 800 pm, from about 400 pm to about 1000 pm, from about 600 pm to about 2000 pm, from about 1000 pm to about 2000 pm, from about 2000 pm to about 4000 pm, from about 4000 pm to about 8000 pm, from about 6000 pm to about 10000 pm.

[0192] In some embodiments, a gas is contacted with the lithium selective sorbent for more than about 10 milliseconds, more than about 100 milliseconds, more than about 1 second, more than about 10 seconds, more than about 100 seconds, more than about 1 minute, more than about 10 minutes, more than about 100 minutes, more than about 1 hour, more than about 10 hours, more than about 100 hours. In some embodiments, an gas is contacted with the ion exchange beads for less than about 10 milliseconds, less than about 100 milliseconds, less than about 1 second, less than about 10 seconds, less than about 100 seconds, less than about 1 minute, less than about 10 minutes, less than about 100 minutes, less than about 1 hour, less than about 10 hours, less than about 100 hours. In some embodiments, an gas is contacted with the ion exchange beads from about 10 milliseconds to about 100 milliseconds, from about 100 milliseconds to about 1 second, from about 1 second to about 10 seconds, from about 10 seconds to about 100 seconds, from about 100 seconds to about 1 minute, from about 1 minute to about 10 minutes, from about 10 minutes to about 100 minutes, from about 1 hour to about 10 hours, from about 10 hours to about 100 hours.

[0193] In some embodiments, a gas is injected to contact lithium selective sorbent at a pressure of more than about 0.1 psi, more than about 1 psi, more than about 5 psi, more than about 10 psi, more than about 50 psi, more than about 100 psi, more than about 500 psi, more than about 1000 psi, more than about 500 psi, more than about 1000 psi. In some embodiments, an gas is injected to contact the ion exchange beads at a pressure of less than about 0.1 psi, less than about 1 psi, less than about 5 psi, less than about 10 psi, less than about 50 psi, less thanabout 100 psi, less than about 500 psi, less than about 1000 psi, less than about 500 psi, less than about 1000 psi. In some embodiments, an gas is injected to contact the ion exchange beads at a pressure from about 0.1 psi to about 5 psi, from about 5 psi to about 10 psi, from about 10 psi to about 50 psi, from about 50 psi to about 100 psi, from about 100 psi to about 500 psi, from about 500 psi to about 1000 psi, from about 1000 psi to about 5000 psi, from about 5000 psi to about 10,000 psi.

[0194] In some embodiments, the suspended lithium selective sorbent is loaded into the lithium extraction device.

[0195] In some embodiments, the suspended sorbent is conveyed from the vessel described above and into a filer press. In some embodiments, conveyance of said suspension occurs by use of a mechanical device. In some embodiments, said mechanical device comprises a doublediaphragm pump, and air operated double-diaphragm pump, a diaphragm pump, a positive displacement pump, a centrifugal pump, a vortex pump, a slurry pump, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, said suspension is conveyed from said vessel and into said ion exchange device by pressurizing the top of said vessel, such that the liquid suspension is forced by pressure-driven flow to exist said vessel through a pipe. In some embodiments, said suspension is conveyed from said vessel and into said ion exchange device by suction applied at the outlet of said lithium extraction device.

[0196] In some embodiments, the suspension of sorbent that is loaded into the ion exchange device has a solids content of less than about 0.001 % v / v (solids volume per total solution volume), of less than about 0.01 % v / v, of less than about 0.1 % v / v, of less than about 1 % v / v, of less than about 10 % v / v, of less than about 50 % v / v, of less than about 75 % v / v, of less than about 100 % v / v. In some embodiments, the suspension of sorbent that is loaded into the ion exchange device has a solids content of more than about 0.001 % v / v (solids volume per total solution volume), of more than about 0.01 % v / v, of more than about 0.1 % v / v, of more than about 1 % v / v, of more than about 10 % v / v, of more than about 50 % v / v, of more than about 75 % v / v. In some embodiments, the suspension of sorbent that is loaded into the ion exchange device has a solids content of from about 0.001 % v / v (solids volume per total solution volume) to about 0.01 % v / v, from about 0.01 % v / v to about 0.1 % v / v, of from about 0.1 % v / v to about 1 % v / v, of from about 1 % v / v to about 10 % v / v, of from about 10 % v / v to about 50 % v / v, of from about 50 % v / v to about 75 % v / v, of from 75 % v / v to about 100 % v / v. In some embodiments, the suspension of sorbent is a thick suspension. In some embodiments, said suspension of sorbents is a slurry.

[0197] In some embodiments, the said suspension of sorbent is conveyed into the filter press via a pipe. In some embodiments, said suspension of sorbent is conveyed into filter pressthrough one inlet port. In some embodiments, said suspension of sorbent is conveyed into said lithium extraction device through one or more inlet ports. In some embodiments, said suspension of sorbent is conveyed into said lithium extraction device through two inlet ports. In some embodiments, said suspension of sorbent is conveyed into said lithium extraction device through two inlet ports that are connected to opposite ends of the lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, one or more of said inlet ports connect to a common piping system that is in fluid contact with all filter banks within said lithium extraction device.

[0198] In some embodiments, one or more of said inlet ports connect to a common piping system that is in fluid contact with all filter banks within said lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, one or more of said inlet ports connect to a common conduit or piping system that is in fluid contact with all filter banks within said lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, the location of the fluid conduit for said suspension is the same in all filter banks across the entire device. In some embodiments, the location of the fluid conduit for said suspension is the different in different filter banks that comprise said device. In some embodiments, the location of the fluid conduit for the sorbent is above the filter bank, below the filter bank, or off to one of the sides of the filter bank.

[0199] In some embodiments, the outlet of the conduit for conveyance of sorbent into individual filter bank is dictated by the location of the slurry inlet port in a filter plate. For the purposes of this description, the center of the filter bank is the center of symmetry of said filter bank when observed in the direction of normal fluid flow through said bed. In some embodiments, said conduit is located at the center of the filter plate. In some embodiments, said conduit is located off-center from the center of the filter plate, wherein off-center implies a location in any of the radial directions from said center. In some embodiments, the ratio (distance from the center of said filter plate to the slurry inlet) to (distance from the center of plate to the edge of said plate) is less than about 0.1, less than about 0.25, less than about 0.4, less than about 0.5, less than about 0.75, less than about 0.9. In some embodiments, the ratio In some embodiments, the ratio (distance from the center of said filter plate to the slurry inlet) to (distance from the center of plate to the edge of said plate) is more than about 0.1, more than about 0.25, more than about 0.4, more than about 0.5, more than about 0.75, more than about 0.9. In some embodiments, the ratio (distance from the center of said filter plate to the slurry inlet) to (distance from the center of plate to the edge of said plate) is from about 0.01 to about 0.1, from about 0.1 to about 0.25, from about 0.25 to about 0.4, from about 0.4 to about 0.5, from about 0.5 to about 0.75, from about 0.75 about 0.9. In some embodiments, the outlet of the conduit for conveyance of sorbent into individual filter bank is located within said filter plate towards the top, bottom, side, or comer of said filter bed. In some embodiments, the outlet of theconduit for conveyance of sorbent into individual filter bank is outside said filter bank. In some embodiments, the outlet of the conduit for conveyance of sorbent into individual filter bank is located outside the bed of sorbent, at the top, bottom, side, or comer of the lithium extraction device but outside of the bed of sorbent, wherein bed of sorbent is defined as the sorbent that absorbs lithium during operation of the device.

[0200] In some embodiments, as the suspension of sorbent is conveyed into the device and into the filter banks, the suspension flows into the compartment within the filter bank, and the solids are retained within said compartment by the filter cloth or porous partition; the fluid flows across said partition, into the flow distribution chamber, and out of the filter bank through orifices and pipes. As described herein, each filter bank comprises one or more porous partitions. In some embodiments, fluid flows out of said filter bank through one of said porous partitions. In some embodiments, fluid flows out of said filter bank through two of said porous partitions. In some embodiments, fluid flows out of said filter bank through one or more of said porous partitions, and out of one of the pipes that connect said filter bank to the rest of the lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, fluid flows out of said filter bank through one or more of said porous partitions, and out of two of the pipes that connect said filter bank to the rest of the lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, fluid flows out of said filter bank through one or more of said porous partitions, and out of three of the pipes that connect said filter bank to the rest of the lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, fluid flows out of said filter bank through one or more of said porous partitions, and out of four of the pipes that connect said filter bank to the rest of the lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, fluid flows out of said filter bank through one or more of said porous partitions, and out of more than of one of the pipes that connect said filter bank to the rest of the lithium extraction device.

[0201] In some embodiments the lithium extraction device comprising a filter press has a single inlet for conveyance of the suspension of sorbent into said filter press; such a configuration of a filter press is called a "single end feed” filter press. In some embodiments the lithium extraction device comprising a filter press has two inlets for conveyance of the suspension of sorbent into said filter press, located at opposite ends of the device; such a configuration of a filter press is called a "double-end feed” filter press.

[0202] In some embodiments, the bed of sorbent within said filter bank is filled with sorbent until the physical volume available in said filter bank is fully occupied by said sorbent. In some embodiments, the maximum fill level is determined based on the pressure required to pump the suspension of sorbent in fluid into said filter bank; when a certain pressure and pumping rate is reached, the filter banks are considered completely filled. In some embodiments, the filter banks are filled with sorbent until the pressure required to pump said suspended sorbent into saiddevice is more than about 0.1 psi, more than about 1 psi, more than about 5 psi, more than about 10 psi, more than about 20 psi, more than about 50 psi, more than about 75 psi, more than about 100 psi, more than about 200 psi, more than about 500 psi. In some embodiments, the filter banks are filled with sorbent until the pressure required to pump said suspended sorbent into said device is less than about 0.1 psi, less than about 1 psi, less than about 5 psi, less than about 10 psi, less than about 20 psi, less than about 50 psi, less than about 75 psi, less than about 100 psi, less than about 200 psi, less than about 500 psi. In some embodiments, the filter banks are filled with sorbent until the pressure required to pump said suspended sorbent into said device is from about 0.1 psi to about 5 psi, from about 5 psi to about 10 psi, from about 10 psi to about 20 psi, from about 20 psi to about 50 psi, from about 50 psi to about 100 psi, from about 100 psi to about 250 psi, from about 250 psi to about 500 psi, from about 500 psi to about 1000 psi.

[0203] In some embodiments, the filter banks are filled with sorbent until the rate at which the suspended sorbent is pumped into said device is less than about 0.1 %, less than about 1%, less than about 10 %, less than about 50 %, or less than about 75 % of the initial rate at which the suspended sorbent is pumped into said device (when said device is empty). In some embodiments, the filter banks are filled with sorbent until the rate at which the suspended sorbent is pumped into said device is more than about 0.1 %, more than about 1%, more than about 10 %, more than about 50 %, or more than about 75 % of the initial rate at which the suspended sorbent is pumped into said device (when said device is empty). In some embodiments, the filter banks are filled with sorbent until the rate at which the suspended sorbent is pumped into said device is from about 0.01 % to about 0.1 %, from about 0.1 % to about 1%, from about 1% to about 10 %, from about 10 % to about 50 %, from about 50 % to about 75 % of the initial rate at which the suspended sorbent is pumped into said device (when said device is empty).

[0204] In some embodiments, such a device is constructed by using a series of filter banks wherein the filters contain ion exchange beads. In some embodiments, such a device is constructed where multiple ion-exchange compartments are arranged vertically or horizontally. In some embodiments, such filter banks are separated to load and unloaded the ion exchange beads. In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads are conveyed into the filter banks as a slurry to load the ion exchange beads into the ion exchange vessel. In some embodiments, loading of the ion exchange beads occurs in the same direction, opposite direction, orthogonal direction, or other direction relative the normal direction of flow during the ion exchange process. In some embodiments, the tension holding the filter bank together is increased, decreased, or maintained during the ion exchange process.

[0205] In some embodiments, ion-exchange compartments are added or removed from the vessel by mechanical means, such that the number of ion-exchange compartments are adjusted. In some embodiments, ion-exchange compartments and their components are mechanically separated to clean out, replace, and fill in compartments and partitions between compartments.

[0206] In one embodiment, the ion exchange compartment within each ion-exchange compartment is partially filled with ion exchange beads, such that ion exchange beads freely move within their containing compartment during contacting with fluid. In some embodiments, the ion exchange compartment is filled to its capacity with ion exchange beads, such that ion exchange beads are fixed in place and cannot freely move within the containing compartment during contacting with fluid. In one embodiment, the ion exchange compartment is partially filled, and becomes completely filled by the change in volume of ion exchange beads that occurs when contacting said beads with certain fluids. In some embodiments, the ion exchange compartment is configured such that ion exchange beads enter and leave the ion-exchange compartment conveyed by the fluid which they are contacting, in the top-down or down-top direction. In one embodiment, the ion exchange beads are loaded into and unloaded from said compartments through the top or bottom of the compartments, through the sides, or by mechanically separating and opening the ion-exchange compartment to expose the compartment and subsequently filling said compartment with ion-exchange beads.

[0207] In some embodiments, the typical length of the vessel containing the ion-exchange compartments is less than about 10 cm, less than about 20 cm, less than about 40 cm, less than about 60 cm, less than about 80 cm, less than about 100 cm, less than about 200 cm, less than about 400 cm, less than about 600 cm, less than about 800 cm, less than about 1 m, less than about 2 m, less than about 4 m, less than about 6 m, less than about 8 m, less than about 10 m, less than about 20 m, less than about 40 m. In some embodiments, the typical length of the said vessel is more than about 10 cm, more than about 20 cm, more than about 40 cm, more than about 60 cm, more than about 80 cm, more than about 100 cm, more than about 200 cm, more than about 400 cm, more than about 600 cm, more than about 800 cm, more than about 1 m, more than about 2 m, more than about 4 m, more than about 6 m, more than about 8 m, more than about 10 m, more than about 20 m, more than about 40 m. In some embodiments, the typical length of said vessel is from about 10 cm to about 20 cm, from about 20 cm to about 40 cm, from about 40 cm to about 80 cm, from about 80 cm to about 2 m from about 1 m to about 4 m, from about 2 m to about 8 m, from about 4 m to about 10 m, from about 6 m to about 20 m, from about 10 m to about 40 m.

[0208] In some embodiments, the devices, vessels, system, and methods described herein utilize a flow distribution compartment to optimize the flow of various liquids, solutions orgases through the devices, vessels, and systems. In some embodiments, the flow distribution compartment is an inner flow distribution compartment and / or outer flow distribution compartment. In one embodiment, the flow distribution compartment and / or ion-exchange bead compartment is empty, partially filled, or fully filled with fluid, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the flow distribution compartment and / or ion-exchange bead compartment are cylindrical, rectangular, irregular, or a combination thereof In some embodiments, the flow distribution compartment has a constant cross-sectional area or a varying cross-sectional area.

[0209] In some embodiments, the filter banks comprise one or more flow distribution compartments. In some embodiments, the filter bank comprise two flow distribution compartments. In some embodiments, said flow distribution compartments comprise a flow distribution surface. In some embodiments, said flow distribution compartment comprises inlet orifices, a void, and a permeable partition In some embodiments, said void is formed between the porous partition and the flow distribution surface.

[0210] In some embodiments, the uniformity of flow across the lithium selective sorbent can be further enhanced by mechanically compressing the sorbent-bed by a deformable flow distribution surface. In some embodiments, this deformable surface optionally comprises a membrane, as described herein. In some embodiments, pressure is applied in a chamber behind the flow distribution surface. In a preferred embodiment, the combination of such mechanical compression with a membrane and the construction of the flow distribution surface enables for most optimal flow distribution across the bed of lithium-selective sorbent, thereby resulting in its optimal performance for ion exchange.

[0211] In some embodiment, said mechanical compression is applied during fluid flow. In some embodiments, said mechanical compression is applied during loading of the sorbent into the filter bank, and is not applied during operation of the device as a lithium extraction device. In some embodiments, said compression is applied during contact with a liquid resource. In some embodiments, said compression is applied during contact with a wash solution. In some embodiments, said compression is applied during contact with an acidic eluent. In some embodiments, said compression is applied at different times, wherein the time between cycles of compression and release is constant, increases with time, decreases with time, varies sinusoidally, is non-uniform, or a combination thereof.

[0212] In some embodiments, the surfaces of filter plates contain surface features to allow for an even distribution of flow of fluid across the filter cloth and into out of the filter bankin some embodiments, these surface features are shaped as circles, pips, ovals, hexagons, squares, rectangles, rectangular ovals, spheres, grooves, flat surfaces, uneven surfaces, stars, dimples, other geometric shapes, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, saidfeatures have a protrusion from the surface of less than about 1 mm, less than about 2 mm, less than about 5 mm, less than about 10 mm, less than about 20 mm, less than about 30 mm, less than about 40 mm, less than about 50 mm, less than about 60 mm, less than about 70 mm, less than about 80 mm, less than about 90 mm, less than about 100 mm. In some embodiments, said features have a protrusion from the surface of more than about 1 mm, more than about 2 mm, more than about 5 mm, more than about 10 mm, more than about 20 mm, more than about 30 mm, more than about 40 mm, more than about 50 mm, more than about 60 mm, more than about 70 mm, more than about 80 mm, more than about 90 mm, more than about 100 mm. In some embodiments, said features have a protrusion from the surface of about 1 mm to about 2 mm, from about 2 mm to about 4 mm, from about 4 mm to about 10 mm, from about 10 mm to about 20 mm. In some embodiments, said features have a length of less than about 1 cm, less than about 2 cm, less than about 5 cm, less than about 10 cm, less than about 20 cm, less than about 30 cm, less than about 40 cm, less than about 50 cm, less than about 60 cm, less than about 70 cm, less than about 80 cm, less than about 90 cm, less than about 100 cm, less than about 200 cm, less than about 500 cm, less than about 10 m. In some embodiments, said features have a length of more than about 1 cm, more than about 2 cm, more than about 5 cm, more than about 10 cm, more than about 20 cm, more than about 30 cm, more than about 40 cm, more than about 50 cm, more than about 60 cm, more than about 70 cm, more than about 80 cm, more than about 90 cm, more than about 100 cm, more than about 200 cm, more than about 500 cm, more than about 10 m. In some embodiments, said features have a length of about 1 cm to about 2 cm, from about 2 cm to about 4 cm, from about 4 cm to about 10 cm, from about 10 cm to about 20 cm, from about 20 cm to about 50 cm, from about 50 cm to about 100 cm, from about 100 cm to about 200 cm, from about 200 cm to about 10 m.

[0213] In some embodiments, the shape of said flow distribution surface conforms to the shape of the filter bank. In some embodiments, the shape of said flow distribution surface conforms to the shape of the porous partition. In some embodiments, the shape of said flow distribution surface conforms to the shape of the sorbent cake or bed.

[0214] In some embodiments, the filter plates comprise structural supports, fasteners, beams, adhesives, compression fittings, gaskets or other structural components for fastening of all components of the filter bank. In some embodiments, the filter plates comprise pipes, tubes, conduits, conducts, and orifices that direct flow into individual filter banks.

[0215] In some embodiments, the filter press is constructed to facilitate the flow of a liquid through the filter bank. In some embodiments, such a liquid flow is enabled by the construction of the filter bank. In some embodiments, the filter plates are constructed to facilitate theirmanufacturing, while enabling facile assembly into a filter press comprising multiple filter banks.

[0216] In some embodiments, the fluid conduits that deliver and remove fluid flow to and from the flow distribution compartments, chambers, and surfaces described above, are configured to uniformly distribute flow across the bed of lithium selective sorbent. In some embodiments, said fluid conduits comprise orifices.

[0217] In some embodiments, the fluid flown in this manner is a liquid resource comprising lithium, such that the lithium-selective sorbent absorbs lithium from said liquid resource. In some embodiments, the fluid flown in this manner is a wash solution comprising water, such that entrained fluids are removed from the bed of lithium-selective sorbent. In some embodiments, the lithium selective sorbent is an ion exchange material and the fluid flown in this manner is an acidic eluent solution comprising protons, such that the lithium selective sorbent releases lithium while absorbing protons. In some embodiments, the fluid flown in this manner is water, such that the lithium selective sorbent releases lithium. In some embodiments, the flows described herein are alternated through the same ion exchange material that is held within the filter bank.

[0218] In some embodiments, the fluid flown is a liquid. In some embodiments, the flow rate of fluid through the bed of lithium selective sorbent in one filter bank is less than about 1 mL / min, less than about 10 mL / min, less than about 100 mL / min, less than about 1 L / min, less than about 10 L / min, less than about 100 L / min, less than about 1,000 L / min, less than about 10,000 L / min. In some embodiments, the flow rate of fluid through the bed of lithium selective sorbent in one filter bank is more than about 1 mL / min, more than about 10 mL / min, more than about 100 mL / min, more than about 1 L / min, more than about 10 L / min, more than about 100 L / min, more than about 1,000 L / min, more than about 10,000 L / min. In some embodiments, the flow rate of fluid through the bed of lithium selective sorbent in one filter bank is from about 1 mL / min to about 10 mL / min, from about 10 mL / min to about 100 mL / min, from about 100 mL / min to about 1 L / min, from about 1 L / min to about 10 L / min, from about 10 L / min to about 100 L / min, from about 100 L / min to about 1,000 L / min, from about 1,000 L / min to about 10,000 L / min.

[0219] In some embodiments, the fluid flown is a liquid. In some embodiments, the ratio of volume of lithium-selective sorbent to flow rate of fluid through the bed of lithium selective sorbent, which has units of time, indicates the characteristic contact time of fluid with the bed of lithium selective sorbent. In some embodiments, said characteristic contact time is less than about 1 second, less than about 10 seconds, less than about 1 minute, less than about 5 minutes, less than about 10 minutes, less than about 1 hours, less than about 10 hours, less than about 1day. In some embodiments, said characteristic contact time is more than about 1 second, more than about 10 seconds, more than about 1 minute, more than about 5 minutes, more than about 10 minutes, more than about 1 hours, more than about 10 hours, more than about 1 day. In some embodiments, said characteristic contact time is from about 0.1 second to about 1 second, from about 1 second to about 10 seconds, from about 10 seconds to about 1 minute, from about 1 minute to about 5 minutes, from about 5 minutes to about 10 minutes, from about 10 minutes to about 1 hours, from about 1 hours to about 10 hours, from about 1 hours to about 1 day.

[0220] In some embodiments, the fluid flown is a liquid. In some embodiments, the ratio of volume of flow rate of fluid through the bed to the surface area of the bed, which has units of length per time, indicates the characteristic flux of fluid through the bed of lithium selective sorbent. In some embodiments, said characteristic flux is less than about 1 mm / min, less than 1 cm / min, less than about 10 cm / min, less than about 1 m / min, less than about 10 m / min, less than about 100 m / min. In some embodiments, the flow rate of fluid through the bed of lithium selective sorbent in one filter bank is more than about 1 mm / min, more than 1 cm / min, more than about 10 cm / min, more than about 1 m / min, more than about 10 m / min, more than about 100 m / min. In some embodiments, the flow rate of fluid through the bed of lithium selective sorbent in one filter bank is from about 0.1 mm / min to about 1 mm / min, from about 1 mm / min to about 1 cm / min, from about 1 cm / min to about 10 cm / min, from about 10 cm / min to about 1 m / min, from about 1 m / min to about 10 m / min, from about 10 m / min to about 100 m / min.

[0221] In some embodiments, the fluid flown is a gas. In some embodiments, said gas is air, nitrogen, argon, or a different gas. In some embodiments, the flow rate of fluid through the bed of lithium selective sorbent in one filter bank is less than about 1 mL / min, less than about 10 mL / min, less than about 100 mL / min, less than about 1 L / min, less than about 10 L / min, less than about 100 L / min, less than about 1,000 L / min, less than about 10,000 L / min. In some embodiments, the flow rate of fluid through the bed of lithium selective sorbent in one filter bank is more than about 1 mL / min, more than about 10 mL / min, more than about 100 mL / min, more than about 1 L / min, more than about 10 L / min, more than about 100 L / min, more than about 1,000 L / min, more than about 10,000 L / min. In some embodiments, the flow rate of fluid through the bed of lithium selective sorbent in one filter bank is from about 1 mL / min to about 10 mL / min, from about 10 mL / min to about 100 mL / min, from about 100 mL / min to about 1 L / min, from about 1 L / min to about 10 L / min, from about 10 L / min to about 100 L / min, from about 100 L / min to about 1,000 L / min, from about 1,000 L / min to about 10,000 L / min.

[0222] In some embodiments, the fluid flown is a gas. In some embodiments, said gas is air, nitrogen, argon, or a different gas. In some embodiments, the ratio of volume of lithiumselective sorbent to flow rate of fluid through the bed of lithium selective sorbent, which hasunits of time, indicates the characteristic contact time of fluid with the bed of lithium selective sorbent. In some embodiments, said characteristic contact time is less than about 1 second, less than about 10 seconds, less than about 1 minute, less than about 5 minutes, less than about 10 minutes, less than about 1 hours, less than about 10 hours, less than about 1 day. In some embodiments, said characteristic contact time is more than about 1 second, more than about 10 seconds, more than about 1 minute, more than about 5 minutes, more than about 10 minutes, more than about 1 hours, more than about 10 hours, more than about 1 day. In some embodiments, said characteristic contact time is from about 0.1 second to about 1 second, from about 1 second to about 10 seconds, from about 10 seconds to about 1 minute, from about 1 minute to about 5 minutes, from about 5 minutes to about 10 minutes, from about 10 minutes to about 1 hours, from about 1 hours to about 10 hours, from about 1 hours to about 1 day.

[0223] In some embodiments, the fluid flown is a gas. In some embodiments, said gas is air, nitrogen, argon, or a different gas. In some embodiments, the ratio of volume of flow rate of fluid through the bed to the surface area of the bed, which has units of length per time, indicates the characteristic flux of fluid through the bed of lithium selective sorbent. In some embodiments, said characteristic flux is less than about 1 mm / min, less than 1 cm / min, less than about 10 cm / min, less than about 1 m / min, less than about 10 m / min, less than about 100 m / min. In some embodiments, the flow rate of fluid through the bed of lithium selective sorbent in one filter bank is more than about 1 mm / min, more than 1 cm / min, more than about 10 cm / min, more than about 1 m / min, more than about 10 m / min, more than about 100 m / min. In some embodiments, the flow rate of fluid through the bed of lithium selective sorbent in one filter bank is from about 0.1 mm / min to about 1 mm / min, from about 1 mm / min to about 1 cm / min, from about 1 cm / min to about 10 cm / min, from about 10 cm / min to about 1 m / min, from about 1 m / min to about 10 m / min, from about 10 m / min to about 100 m / min.

[0224] In some embodiments, the pressure applied to flow said fluid across the ion-exchange bed is less than 5 psi, less than 25 psi, less than 50 psi, less than 100 psi, less than 150 psi, less than 250 psi, or less than 500 psi. In some embodiments, the pressure applied to flow said fluid across the ion-exchange bed is more than 5 psi, more than 25 psi, more than 50 psi, more than 100 psi, more than 150 psi, more than 250 psi, or more than 500 psi. In some embodiments, the pressure applied to flow said fluid across the ion-exchange bed is from about 1 psi to about 5 psi, from about 5 psi to about 25 psi, from about 25 psi to about 50 psi, from about 50 psi to about 100 psi, from about 100 psi to about 150 psi, from about 150 psi to about 250 psi, from about 250 psi to about 500 psi.

[0225] In some embodiments, the filter press comprises multiple filter banks. In some embodiments, when operation of the device is complete, filter plates are separated such that anindividual filter bank is exposed, thereby allowing the sorbent contained in said filter bank to fall of said filter bank by gravity. In some embodiments, this discharges the lithium-selective sorbents contained in said device. In some embodiments, such a separation requires for the pressure holding the stack of filter plates together to be released. In some embodiments, once this pressure is released, an operator physically separates each plate from the next. In some embodiments, once this pressure is released, an automated system physically separates all plates simultaneously. In some embodiments, once this pressure is released, an operator positions an automated system that separates one plate at a time.

[0226] In some embodiments, a solid receiving device is position below the lithium- extraction device, such that said device contains the discharged material, and such that said discharged material can be subsequently conveyed away. In some embodiments, said solids receiving device is a tray, a hopper, a fork liftable hopper. In some embodiments, said discharged material are received by a drip tray, which is fitted with a motor to open downwards, thereby allowing said solids to be discharged to a second system. In some embodiments, a conveyor belt is positioned below the filter press, such that the solids can be automatically removed and conveyed away after discharge. In some embodiments, the filter press is positioned above a tank, such that the solids can fall directly into said tank after discharge. In some embodiments, the filter press is positioned above an agitated tank. In some embodiments, the filter press is positioned above a tank containing a liquid resource comprising lithium, such that the discharged lithium-selective sorbent absorbs lithium when discharged from the device into the tank. In some embodiments, the filter press is positioned above a tank containing an acidic eluent, such that the discharged lithium-selective sorbent releases lithium when discharged from the device into the tank. In some embodiments, the filter press is positioned above a tank containing a wash solution, such that the discharged lithium-selective sorbent is washed when discharged from the device.

[0227] In some embodiments, the solid sorbent is discharged from the device about once per year, about once per month, about once per week, about once per day, about twice per day, about three times per day, about one time per hour, about twice per hour, or about five times per hour. In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent is discharged in coordination with the lithium extraction process. In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent is discharged after it has contacted a liquid resource containing lithium. In some embodiments, the lithiumselective sorbent is discharged after it is saturated with lithium, having contacted a liquid resource containing lithium. In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent is discharged after a certain amount of contact time with a lithium containing liquid resource. In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent is discharged after it has contacted a wash solution.In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent is discharged after it has contacted an aqueous solution. In some embodiments, said aqueous solution releases the lithium contained in said lithium selective sorbent. In some embodiments, the lithium-selective sorbent is discharged after it has contacted an acidic eluent solution, such that lithium from said sorbent has been released.

[0228] In some embodiments, the filter press is filled with a lithium selective sorbent. In some embodiments, the volume of sorbent that is contained within said device is less than about 1 mL, less than about 10 mL, less than about 100 mL, less than about 1 L, less than about 10 L, less than about 100 L, less than about 1 cubic meter, less than about 10 cubic meters, less than about 100 cubic meters, less than about 1,000 cubic meters, or less than about 10,000 cubic meters. In some embodiments, the volume of sorbent that is contained within said device is more than about 1 mL, more than about 10 mL, more than about 100 mL, more than about 1 L, more than about 10 L, more than about 100 L, more than about 1 cubic meter, more than about 10 cubic meters, more than about 100 cubic meters, more than about 1,000 cubic meters, or more than about 10,000 cubic meters. In some embodiments, the volume of sorbent that is contained within said device is from about 0.1 mL to about 1 mL, from about 1 mL to about 10 mL, from about 10 mL to about 100 mL, from about 100 mL to about 1 L, from about 1 L to about 10 L, from about 10 L to about 100 L, from about 100 L to about 1 cubic meter, from about 1 cubic meter to about 10 cubic meters, from about 10 cubic meters to about 100 cubic meters, from about 100 cubic meters to about 1,000 cubic meters, or from about 1,000 cubic meters to about 10,000 cubic meters.

[0229] In some embodiments, the amount of lithium-selective sorbent that can be contained said device can be adjusted by positioning a “back up plate” device. In some embodiments, said “back up plate” device comprises a plate that is connected to the rest of the piping in the lithium extraction device on only one side, and is not connected to the pipe that conveys the lithium selective sorbent into the device. In some embodiments, the effect of this “back up plate” is to not allow any solids of fluid flow to filters located beyond the back up late. In some embodiments, this splits the filter press into two sections, one with fluid connection, and another without, such that only a section of the filter press is being used. In some embodiments, this constitutes a method to adjust the total volume of solids that are contained within the filter press, while using the same device.

[0230] In some embodiments, said backup plate splits the filter press into two sections. In some embodiments, when said filter press has process connections from both sides, a backup plate can be positions such that two sides of the same press can be used for independent fluid flows. In some embodiments, this allows two sections of the filter press to be configured to be indifferent stages of the ion-exchange process simultaneously. In some embodiments, this allows for lower down-time and higher lithium productivity of the ion exchange device. In some embodiments, one or more dividing plates are positioned within the device, wherein said dividing plate is constructed such that fluid that exits from one section of the filter press is sent to the inlet of a subsequent section of the filter press. In some embodiments, one such plate is present in the filter press In some embodiments, two or more sch plates are present in the filter press.Recirculating Batch System

[0231] In one embodiment of a system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource comprises a recirculating batch system comprising a column containing ion exchange material that is connected to one or more tanks for mixing base into the liquid resource, settling out any precipitates that may form following base addition to the liquid resource, and storing the liquid resource prior to reinjection of the liquid resource into the column or the one or more tanks. In one embodiment of the recirculating batch system, the liquid resource is loaded into the one or more tanks, pumped through the column, pumped through the one or more tanks, and then returned to the column in a loop. In one embodiment, the liquid resource optionally traverses this loop repeatedly. In one embodiment, the liquid resource is configured to recirulate through the column to enable lithium uptake by the ion exchange material. In one embodiment, base is added to the liquid resource such that the pH of the liquid resource adjusted to be within a range that is ideal, preferred, or suitable for lithium uptake by ion exchange material. In one embodiment, base is added to the liquid resource such that the pH of the liquid resource is adjusted to be within a range that minimizes the amount of precipitates in the column.

[0232] In one embodiment, as the liquid resource is pumped through the recirculating batch system, the pH of the liquid resource drops in the column due to hydrogen release from the ion exchange material during lithium uptake, and the pH of the liquid resource is adjusted upward by the addition of base as a solid, aqueous solution, or another form. In one embodiment, the column drives the ion exchange reaction to near completion, and the pH of the liquid resource leaving the column approaches the pH of the liquid resource entering the column. In one embodiment, the amount of base added to the liquid resource in the column is modulated to neutralize the hydrogen released by the ion exchange material while preventing the formation of precipitates. In one embodiment, an excess of base or a transient excess of base is added to the liquid resource in the column in such a way that precipitates form. In one embodiment, precipitates form transiently in the column and then are redissolved partially or fully by the hydrogen that is released from the ion exchange material within the column. In someembodiments of a system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, base is added to the liquid resource prior to the liquid resource entering the column, after the liquid resource has exited the column, prior to the liquid resource entering one or more tanks, or after the liquid resource has exited one or more tanks.

[0233] In one embodiment of the recirculating batch system, the one or more tanks comprise a mixing tank where base is mixed with the liquid resource. In one embodiment, the one or more tanks comprise a settling tank, wherein precipitates such as Mg(OH)2 optionally settle to the bottom of the settling tank to avoid injection of the precipitates into the column. In one embodiment, the one or more tanks comprise a storage tank wherein the liquid resource is stored prior to reinjection into the ion exchange column, mixing tank, settling tank, or other one or more tanks. In one embodiment, the one or more tanks comprise an acid recirculation tank. In one embodiment, one or more tanks in the recirculating batch system can serve a combination of purposes including as a base mixing tank, a settling tank, a acid recirculation tank, or a storage tank. In some embodiments, any one or more tanks cannot fulfill two functions at the same time. As one non-limiting example, a tank cannot simultaneously fulfill the functions of a mixing tank and a settling tank.

[0234] In some embodiments, the recirculating batch system comprises a mixing tank that comprises a continuous stirrer. In some embodiments, the recirculating batch system is configured such that liquid resource and base or a combination thereof is added to the mixing tank. In some embodiments, the continuous stirrer comprises a static mixer, a paddle mixer, or a turbine impeller mixer. In some embodiments, the continuous stirrer comprises the mixing tank being configured such that liquid resource and base input at the top of the tank become mixed prior to reaching the bottom of the mixing tank. In some embodiments, the base is added to the mixing tank as a solid or as an aqueous solution. In some embodiments, the base is added to the mixing tank continuously at a constant rate or at a variable rate. In one embodiment, the base is added to the mixing tank discretely in constant or variable aliquots or batches. In one embodiment, the quantity of base added to the mixing tank corresponds to the measurement of one or more pH meters, which optionally sample liquid resource downstream of the ion exchange device or elsewhere in the recirculating batch system. In one embodiment, filters are optionally used to prevent precipitates from leaving the mixing tank. In one embodiment, the filters are optionally plastic mesh screens, packed columns containing granular media such as sand, silica, or alumina, packed columns containing porous filter media, or a membrane.

[0235] In one embodiment of the recirculating batch system, the settling tank is optionally a settling tank with influent at bottom and effluent at top or a settling tank with influent on one end and effluent on another end. In one embodiment, chambered weirs are used to fully settleprecipitates before liquid resource is recirculated into a reactor. In one embodiment, solid precipitates are collected at the bottom of the settling tank and recirculated into the mixing tank. In one embodiment, precipitates such as Mg(0H)2 settle near the bottom of the settling tank. In one embodiment, liquid resource is removed from the top of the settling tank, preferably wherein the amount of suspended precipitates is minimal. In one embodiment, the precipitates settle under forces such as gravity, centrifugal action, or other forces. In one embodiment, filters are used to prevent precipitates from leaving the settling tank. In one embodiment, the filters are plastic mesh screens, small packed columns containing granular media such as sand, silica, or alumina, small packed columns containing porous media filter, or a membrane. In one embodiment, baffles are optionally used to ensure settling of the precipitate and to prevent the precipitate from exiting the settling tank and entering the column.

[0236] In one embodiment of the recirculating batch system, precipitates are collected from the settling tank and combined with the liquid resource in a mixing tank or elsewhere to adjust the pH of the liquid resource.

[0237] In one embodiment of the recirculating batch system, one or more ion exchange columns are optionally connected to one or more tanks or set of tanks. In one embodiment of the recirculating batch system, there are multiple ion exchange columns recirculating liquid resource through a shared set of mixing, settling, and storage tanks. In one embodiment of the recirculating batch system, there is optionally one ion exchange column recirculating liquid resource through multiple sets of mixing, settling, and storage tanks.Column Interchange System

[0238] An aspect of the invention described herein is a system wherein ion exchange material is loaded into a plurality of columns. In some embodiments, the pH modulating unit comprises a plurality of tanks connected to the plurality of columns, wherein each of the plurality of tanks is immediately connected to one of the plurality of columns. In some embodiments, two or more of the plurality of tanks connected to the plurality of columns forms at least one circuit. In some embodiments, three or more of the plurality of tanks connected to the plurality of columns forms at least two circuits. In some embodiments, three or more of the plurality of tanks connected to the plurality of columns forms at least three circuits. In some embodiments, at least one circuit is a liquid resource circuit. In some embodiments, at least one circuit is a water washing circuit. In some embodiments, at least one circuit is an acid circuit, wherein the acid is an acid eluent. In some embodiments, at least two circuits are water washing circuits.

[0239] In one embodiment of a system for lithium recovery, the system comprises a column interchange system wherein a series of columns are connected to form a liquid resource circuit, an acid circuit, a water washing circuit, and optionally other circuits containing process fluids In one embodiment of the liquid resource circuit, liquid resource flows through a first column in the liquid resource circuit, then into a next column in the liquid resource circuit, and so on, such that lithium is removed from the liquid resource by ion exchange as the liquid resource flows through one or more columns that contain ion exchange material. In one embodiment of the liquid resource circuit, base is added to the liquid resource before or after each column or selected columns in the liquid resource circuit to maintain the pH of the liquid resource in an ideal, preferred, or suitable range for lithium uptake by ion exchange material. In one embodiment of the acid circuit, acid flows through a first column in the acid circuit, then into a next column in the acid circuit, and so on, such that lithium is eluted from the columns with acid eluent to produce a synthetic lithium solution. In one embodiment of the acid circuit, acid flows through a first column in the acid circuit, then optionally into a next column in the acid circuit, and so on, such that lithium is eluted from the columns with acid eluent to produce a synthetic lithium solution. In one embodiment of the water washing circuit, water flows through a first column in the water washing circuit, then optionally into a next column in the water washing circuit, and so on, such that liquid resource or raffinate in the void space, pore space, or head space of the columns and the ion exchange material therein is washed out.

[0240] In one embodiment of the column interchange system, columns are interchanged such that each column is a fluid component of the liquid resource circuit, the water washing circuit, and the acid circuit at selected stages or points in time. In one embodiment, the ion exchange material within the first column of the liquid resource circuit are loaded with lithium by passing a sufficient quantity of liquid resource through the first column, and then the first column is interchanged be a fluid component of the water washing circuit to remove liquid resource and / or raffinate from the void space, pore space, or head space of the first column and the ion exchange material therein. In one embodiment, the first column in the water washing circuit is washed to remove liquid resource and / or raffinate therein, and then the first column is interchanged to be a fluid component of the acid circuit, wherein lithium is eluted from the ion exchange material in the column with acid to yield a synthetic lithium solution. In one embodiment, acid or acid eluent is passed through the first column in the acid circuit and then then interchanged to be a fluid component of the liquid resource circuit, wherein the ion exchange material inside the column absorbs lithium from the liquid resource. In one embodiment of the column interchange system, two water washing circuits are used to wash the columns after both the liquid resource circuit and the acid circuit. In one embodiment of thecolumn interchange system, the columns are interchanged to be a fluid component of the water washing circuit only after the columns have been a fluid component of the liquid resource circuit, such that a column that is a fluid component of the acid circuit is not typically interchanged to be a fluid component of the water washing circuit. In some embodiments of the column interchange system, excess acid in the column after a column has been a fluid component of the acid circuit is typically neutralized once the column is interchanged to be a fluid component of the liquid resource circuit and liquid resource is flowed through the column.

[0241] In one embodiment of the column interchange system, the first column in the liquid resource circuit is interchanged to become the last column in the water washing circuit. In one embodiment of the column interchange system, the first column in the water washing circuit is interchanged to become the last column in the acid circuit. In one embodiment of the column interchange system, the first column in the acid circuit is interchanged to become the last column in the liquid resource circuit.

[0242] In one embodiment of the column interchange system, each column in the liquid resource circuit contains one or more tanks or junctions that allow for adding base into the liquid resource and optionally settling any precipitates that may form following base addition to the liquid resource. In one embodiment of the column interchange system, each column in the liquid resource circuit has an associated one or more tanks or junctions for removing precipitates or other particles via settling or filtration. In one embodiment of the column interchange system, each column or plurality of columns has an associated one or more settling tanks or filters that remove particulates including particulates that detach from ion exchange material, forms thereof, or constructs comprised thereof.

[0243] In one embodiment of the column interchange system, the liquid resource circuit comprises a number of the columns that is optionally less than about 3, less than about 10, less than about 30, or less than about 100. In one embodiment of the column interchange system, the acid circuit comprises a number of the columns that is optionally less than about 3, less than about 10, less than about 30, or less than about 100. In one embodiment of the column interchange system, the water washing circuit comprises a number of the columns that is optionally less than about 3, less than about 10, less than about 30, or less than about 100. In certain embodiments, the liquid resource circuit comprises a number of columns in the inclusive range of 1 to 10. In certain embodiments, the acid circuit comprises a number of columns in the inclusive range of 1 to 10. In certain embodiments, the water washing circuit comprises a number of columns in the inclusive range of 1 to 10.

[0244] In one embodiment of the column interchange system, the column interchange system comprises one or more liquid resource circuits, one or more acid circuits, and one ormore water washing circuits. In one embodiment of the column interchange system, the ion exchange material within the columns is removed and replaced with a separate portion of ion exchange material without interruption to operation of the circuits within the column interchange system. In one embodiment of the column interchange system, the ion exchange material within the columns is removed following its useful lifetime and replaced with a separate portion of ion exchange material that is within its useful lifetime without interruption to operation of the circuits within the column interchange system.

[0245] In one embodiment of the column interchange system, the columns contain fluidized beds of ion exchange material. In one embodiment of the column interchange system, the columns comprise means of fluidizing or maintaining the fluidity of a bed of ion exchange material. In some embodiments, means of fluidizing or maintaining the fluidity of a bed of ion exchange material comprise one or more overhead stirrers and / or one or more pumps. In one embodiment of the column interchange system, the columns contain fluidized beds of ion exchange material.

[0246] In one embodiment of a system for lithium recovery, ion exchange material is loaded into columns and following the uptake of lithium from a liquid resource by the ion exchange material, lithium is eluted from the column using an acid recirculation loop. In one embodiment of the acid recirculation loop, acid is flowed through an ion exchange column, into a tank, and then recirculated through the ion exchange column to optimize lithium elution. In some embodiments of the ion exchange system, ion exchange material is loaded into ion exchange columns and following lithium uptake from liquid resource, lithium is eluted from each ion exchange column using a once-through flow of acid. In some embodiments of the ion exchange system, ion exchange material is loaded into an ion exchange column and following lithium uptake from liquid resource, lithium is eluted from the ion exchange column using a column interchange circuit.

[0247] In some embodiments of the ion exchange system, ion exchange columns are loaded with lithium by flowing liquid resource through the columns using a recirculating batch system and then lithium is eluted from the columns using a column interchange system. In some embodiments of the ion exchange system, ion exchange columns are loaded with lithium by flowing liquid resource through the columns using a column interchange system and then lithium is eluted from the columns using a recirculating batch system. In some embodiments of the ion exchange system, ion exchange columns are loaded with lithium by flowing liquid resource through the columns using a recirculating batch system and then lithium is eluted from the columns using a recirculating batch system. In some embodiments of the ion exchange system, ion exchange columns are loaded with lithium by flowing liquid resource through thecolumns using a column interchange system and then lithium is eluted from the columns using a column interchange system.Stirred Tank System

[0248] An aspect of the invention described herein is a system for lithium recovery wherein the pH modulating unit is a tank comprising: a) one or more compartments; and b) means for moving the liquid resource through the one or more compartments. In an embodiment, ion exchange material is loaded in at least one compartment of the pH modulating unit. In an embodiment, the means for moving the liquid resource through the one or more compartments is a pipe. In a further embodiment, the means for moving the liquid resource through the one or more compartments is a pipe and suitably a configured pump. In an embodiment, the tank further comprises a means for circulating the liquid resource throughout the tank. In an embodiment, the means for circulating the liquid resource throughout the tank is a mixing device. In an embodiment, the tank further comprises an injection port. In some embodiments, the tank further comprises one or more injection ports. In some embodiments, the tank further comprises a plurality of injection ports.

[0249] An aspect described herein is a system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource comprising a tank, wherein the tank further comprises: a) one or more compartments; b) ion exchange material; c) a mixing device; and d) a pH modulating unit for adjusting the pH of the liquid within the system, wherein the ion exchange material is used to extract lithium ions from the liquid resource in an ion exchange process. In one embodiment, the pH modulating unit adjusts the pH of the liquid resource in the system. In some embodiments, ion exchange material is loaded into at least one of the one or more compartments of the tank. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material is fluidized in at least one of the one or more compartments of the tank. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material is non-fluidized in at least one of the one or more compartments of the tank. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material occupies a fixed position in at least one of the one or more compartments of the tank.

[0250] In some embodiments, the pH modulating unit comprises a pH measuring device and an inlet for adding base to a liquid inside the pH modulating unit. In some embodiments, the pH measuring device is a pH probe. In some embodiments, the inlet is a pipe. In some embodiments, the inlet is an injection port.

[0251] In some embodiments, the tank further comprises a porous partition. In some embodiments, the porous partition is a porous polymer partition. In some embodiments, the porous partition is a mesh or membrane. In some embodiments, the porous partition is a polymer mesh or polymer membrane. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises one or morelayers of mesh, membrane, or other porous structure. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises one or more coarse meshes that provide structural support and one or more fine meshes and / or membranes selected to enable filtration or a filtering action. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises a polyether ether ketone mesh, a polypropylene mesh, a polyethylene mesh, a polysulfone mesh, a polyester mesh, a polyamide mesh, a polytetrafluoroethylene mesh, an ethylene tetrafluoroethylene polymer mesh, a stainless steel mesh, a stainless steel mesh coated in polymer, a stainless steel mesh coated in ceramic, or a combination thereof, wherein the mesh is a course mesh, a fine mesh, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the porous polymer partition comprises a mesh comprising one or more blends of two or more of a polyether ether ketone, a polypropylene, a polyethylene, a polysulfone, a polyester, a polyamide, a polytetrafluoroethylene, or an ethylene tetrafluoroethylene polymer. In some embodiments, the porous partition comprises a polyether ether ketone membrane, a polypropylene membrane, a polyethylene membrane, a polysulfone membrane, a polyester membrane, a polyamide membrane, a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, an ethylene tetrafluoroethylene polymer membrane, or combinations thereof.

[0252] In some embodiments of a system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the system comprises a stirred tank system comprised of a tank containing liquid resource and permeable bead compartments such as permeable pallets, cases, boxes, or other containers, wherein the bead permeable compartments are loaded with ion exchange beads and the liquid resource is added to, stirred throughout, and removed from the tank in a batch process. In one embodiment of the stirred tank system, base is added directly to the tank gradually, in separate aliquots, at a constant rate or a variable rate, or in a single aliquot as a solid or in an aqueous solution. In some embodiments, the stirred tank system is configured to operate in a batch process, wherein the batch process comprises an extraction stage and an elution stage. In some embodiments, the extraction stage comprises the uptake of lithium from the liquid resource by the ion exchange beads within the permeable bead compartments, such that the liquid resource becomes depleted in lithium and the ion exchange beads become enriched in lithium. In some embodiments, the elution stage comprises the release of lithium from the ion exchange beads within the permeable bead compartments into an eluent. In some embodiments an eluent is an acid or an acid eluent. In one embodiment, the stirred tank system comprises one or more additional tanks and the permeable bead containers are placed into the one or more additional tanks for the elution stage. In one embodiment of the stirred tank system, the permeable bead compartments are located at the bottom of the tank during the extraction stage, and after the extraction stage is completed, the liquid resource is removed, and the tank is filled eluent in sucha way that the permeable bead compartments are in contact with a volume of eluent that is sufficient to carry out the elution stage.

[0253] In some embodiments of a system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the system comprises a stirred tank system wherein ion exchange beads are suspended using plastic structural supports in a tank with an internal mixing device. In some embodiments, the stirred tank system is configured to operate in a batch process, wherein the batch process comprises an extraction stage and an elution stage. In some embodiments, the extraction stage comprises the uptake of lithium from the liquid resource by the ion exchange beads, such that the liquid resource becomes depleted in lithium and the ion exchange beads become enriched in lithium. In some embodiments, the elution stage comprises the release of lithium from the ion exchange beads into an eluent. In some embodiments an eluent is an acid or an acid eluent. In one embodiment of the stirred tank system, liquid resource is removed from the tank and passed through a column wherein hydrogen ions in the liquid resource are neutralized using base provided as a solution, as a solid, or as an ion exchange resin to yield a pH-corrected stream. In some embodiment, the pH-corrected stream is input back into the stirred tank system. In one embodiment of the stirred tank system, liquid resource that has passed through the tank containing ion exchange beads is returned to the opposite end of the tank through a pipe that is optionally internal or external to the tank. In one embodiment of the stirred tank system, base is optionally added to the liquid resource inside the tank or added to a separate base addition tank that is outside the tank.

[0254] In some embodiments of the stirred tank system, the stirred tank system is configured to operate in a continuous process instead of a batch process. In some embodiments, the continuous process comprises continuous addition and removal of liquid resource from the stirred tank system. In one embodiment of the recirculating batch system, the recirculating batch system is configured to operate in a continuous process instead of a batch process.

[0255] In one embodiment of the ion exchange device, liquid resource is combined with ion exchange beads in a stirred tank reactor. In one embodiment, the ion exchange beads are comprised of coated particles, uncoated particles, porous beads, or combinations thereof.

[0256] In one embodiment of the ion exchange device, a stirred tank reactor is used to fluidize the ion exchange material in a liquid resource to enable absorption of lithium from the liquid resource into the ion exchange material. In one embodiment, a stirred tank reactor is used to fluidize the ion exchange material in a washing fluid to remove residual liquid resource, acid, process fluids, contaminants, or combinations thereof from the ion exchange materials. In one embodiment, a stirred tank reactor is used to fluidize the ion exchange material in an acid eluent to elute lithium from the ion exchange beads while replacing the lithium in the ion exchangematerial with protons. In one embodiment, a single stirred tank reactor is used to mix ion exchange material sequentially and repetitively with a liquid resource, washing fluid, and acid.

[0257] In some embodiments, the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource comprises a tank, wherein the tank further comprises: a) one or more compartments; b) ion exchange material; c) a mixing device; and d) a pH modulating unit for changing the pH of the liquid resource in the system, wherein the ion exchange material is used to extract lithium ions from the liquid resource, further comprises another tank, wherein the other tank further comprises: a) one or more compartments; b) ion exchange beads; c) a mixing device; and d) a pH modulating unit for changing the pH of the liquid resource in the system. In some embodiments, the tank is in fluid communication with the other tank.

[0258] In some embodiments, the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource comprises a tank, wherein the system further comprises another tank, wherein the other tank further comprises: a) one or more compartments; b) ion exchange material; c) a mixing device; and d) an acid inlet for adding acid to the system. In a further embodiment, the ion exchange material is moved between the tank and the other tank.

[0259] In some embodiments, the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource comprises a tank, wherein the tank further comprises: a) one or more compartments; b) ion exchange material; c) a mixing device; and d) a pH modulating unit for changing the pH of the liquid resource in the system, wherein the ion exchange material is used to extract lithium ions from the liquid resource, further comprises a plurality of tanks, each tank further comprising: a) one or more compartments; b) ion exchange material; c) a mixing device; and d) a pH modulating unit for changing the pH of the liquid resource in the system. In some embodiments, each tank of the system is in fluid communication with each other tank of the system.

[0260] In some embodiments, the system further comprises another plurality of tanks, wherein each tank further comprises: a) one or more compartments; b) ion exchange material; and c) a mixing device.

[0261] In some embodiments, the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource is configured to operate in a batch mode. In some embodiments, the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource is configured to operate in a continuous mode. In some embodiments, the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource is configured to operate in a batch mode and a continuous mode. In some embodiments, one or more tanks in the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource are configured to operate in a batch mode and one or more tanks in the system are configured to operate in a continuous mode. In some embodiments, one or more tanks in the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource are configured to operate in a batch mode and one or more tanks in the system are configured to operate in a semi -continuousmode. In some embodiments, one or more tanks in the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource are configured to operate in a semi-continuous mode and one or more tanks in the system are configured to operate in a continuous mode In some embodiments, one or more tanks in the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource are configured to operate in a batch mode, one or more tanks in the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource are configured to operate in a semi-continuous mode, and one or more tanks in the system are configured to operate in a continuous mode. In some embodiments, the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource is configured to operate in a semi-continuous mode, a batch mode, a continuous mode, or combinations thereof.

[0262] In one embodiment of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, a plurality of stirred tank reactors are used to mix ion exchange material with a liquid resource, washing fluid, and acid eluent. In one embodiment, the stirred tank reactors are different sizes and can contain different volumes of a liquid resource, washing fluid, and acid eluent. In one embodiment, the stirred tanks are cylindrical, conical, rectangular, pyramidal, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the ion exchange material moves through the plurality of stirred tank reactors in the opposite direction of the liquid resource, the washing fluid, or the acid eluent.

[0263] In one embodiment of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, a plurality of stirred tank reactors is used where one or more stirred tank reactors mix the ion exchange material with a liquid resource, one or more stirred tank reactors mix the ion exchange material with a washing fluid, and one or more stirred tank reactors mix the ion exchange material with an acid eluent.

[0264] In one embodiment of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, stirred tank reactors are operated in a continuous, semi-continuous, or batch mode where a liquid resource flows continuously, semi -continuously, or batch-wise through the stirred tank reactor. In one embodiment of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, stirred tank reactors are operated in a continuous, semi-continuous, or batch mode where the ion exchange material flows continuously, semi-continuously, or batch-wise through the stirred tank reactor. In one embodiment of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, stirred tank reactors are operated in a mode where the ion exchange material remain in the tank while flows of liquid resource, washing fluid, or acid eluent are flowed through the tank in continuous, semi- continuous, or batch flows.

[0265] In one embodiment, ion exchange material is loaded into or removed from the stirred tank reactors through the top, the bottom, or the side of the tank.

[0266] In one embodiment of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, stirred tank reactors comprise one or more compartments. In one embodiment, the compartments contain ion exchange material in a bed that is fluidized, fixed, partially fluidized, partially fixed, alternatively fluidized, alternatively fixed, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the compartments are comprised of a porous support at the bottom of the compartment, the sizes of the compartment, the top of the compartment, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the compartments are conical, cylindrical, rectangular, pyramidal, other shapes, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the compartment is located at the bottom of the tank. In one embodiment, the shape of the compartment conforms to the shape of the stirred tank reactor. In one embodiment, the compartment is partially or fully comprised of the tank of the stirred tank reactor.

[0267] In one embodiment, the compartment is comprised of a porous structure. In one embodiment, the compartment is comprised of a polymer, a ceramic, a metal, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the compartment is comprised be comprised partially or fully of a porous material or a mesh. In one embodiment, the compartment is at the top of the tank. In one embodiment, the compartment is separated from the rest of the tank with one or more porous materials. In one embodiment, the compartment is at the top of the tank. In one embodiment, the compartment is separated from the rest of the tank with a bilayer mesh comprising one layer of coarse mesh for strength and one layer of fine mesh to contain smaller particles in the compartment. In one embodiment, the compartment allows liquid or process fluid to flow freely through the stirred tank reactor and through the compartment. In one embodiment, the compartment is open on the top. In one embodiment, the compartment contains the ion exchange material in the tank but allow the ion exchange material to move throughout the tank. In one embodiment, the compartment comprises a majority or minority of the tank volume. In one embodiment, the compartment represents a fraction of the volume of the tank that is greater than 1 percent, greater than 10 percent, greater than 50 percent, greater than 90 percent, greater than 99 percent, or greater than 99.9 percent. In one embodiment, one or more devices for stirring, mixing, or pumping is used to move liquid or process fluid through the compartment, the stirred tank reactor, or combinations thereof.

[0268] In one embodiment of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, stirred tank reactors are arranged into a network where flows of liquid resource, washing fluid, and acid are directed through different columns. In one embodiment, a network of stirred tank reactors involves physical movement of the ion exchange material through the various stirred tank reactors. In one embodiment, a network of stirred tank reactors involves no physical movement of the ion exchange material through the various stirred tank reactors. In one embodiment, anetwork of stirred tank reactors involves switching of flows of liquid resource, washing fluid, and acid through the various stirred tank reactors. In one embodiment, liquid resource is entered into the stirred tank reactors in a continuous or batch mode. In one embodiment, liquid resource is mixed with ion exchange material in one or more reactors before exiting the system. In one embodiment, a network of stirred tank reactors involves a liquid resource circuit with countercurrent exposure of ion exchange material to flows of liquid resource. In one embodiment, a network of stirred tank reactors involves a washing circuit with counter-current exposure of ion exchange material to flows of washing fluid. In one embodiment, a network of stirred tank reactors involves an acid circuit with counter-current exposure of ion exchange material to flows of acid. In one embodiment, the washing fluid is water, an aqueous solution, or a solution containing an anti-scalant.

[0269] In one embodiment of the stirred tank reactor, acid is added at the beginning of elution of lithium from the ion exchange material. In one embodiment of the stirred tank reactor, acid is added at the beginning of elution of lithium from the ion exchange material and again during elution of lithium from the ion exchange material. In one embodiment of the stirred tank reactor, an acid of lower concentration is added at the start of elution of lithium from the ion exchange material and additional acid of higher concentration is added to continue elution of lithium from the ion exchange material.

[0270] An aspect described herein is a system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, comprising: a) ion exchange material; b) a tank comprising one or more compartments; and c) a mixing device, wherein the ion exchange material is used to extract lithium ions from the liquid resource.

[0271] In some embodiments, the ion exchange material is loaded in at least one of the one or more compartments. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material is fluidized or partially fluidized in at least one of the one or more compartments. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material occupies a fixed position in at least one of the one or more compartments. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material is mounted in at least one of the one or more compartments.

[0272] An aspect described herein is a system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, comprising: a) a column comprising ion exchange material; and b) a pH modulating unit for changing the pH of the liquid resource in the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, wherein the pH modulating unit is in fluid communication with the column, wherein the ion exchange material is used to extract lithium ions from the liquid resource.Other Types of Systems

[0273] An aspect described herein is a system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, comprising: a) a plurality of columns, wherein each of the plurality of columns comprises ion exchange material; and b) a pH modulating unit for changing the pH of the liquid resource in the system, wherein the pH modulating unit is in fluid communication with each of the plurality of columns, wherein the ion exchange material is used to extract lithium ions from the liquid resource.

[0274] In some embodiments, the pH modulating unit comprises a plurality of tanks, wherein each of the plurality of tanks is immediately connected to one of the plurality of columns. In one embodiment, the pH modulating unit comprises a plurality of tanks, wherein each of the plurality of tanks is in immediate liquid communication with one of the plurality of columns. In some embodiments, two or more of the plurality of tanks connected to two or more of the plurality of columns forms at least one circuit. In some embodiments, two or more of the plurality of tanks connected to two or more of the plurality of columns forms at least two circuits. In some embodiments, three or more of the plurality of tanks connected to three or more of the plurality of columns forms at least two circuits. In some embodiments, three or more of the plurality of tanks connected to three or more of the plurality of columns forms at least three circuits.

[0275] In some embodiments, the pH modulating unit comprises a plurality of tanks, wherein each of the plurality of tanks is connected to the of the plurality of columns through a filtration system. In some embodiments, two or more of the plurality of tanks are connected to two or more of the plurality of columns through a filtration system to form at least one circuit. In some embodiments, two or more of the plurality of tanks are connected to two or more of the plurality of columns through a filtration system to form at least two circuits. In some embodiments, three or more of the plurality of tanks are connected to two or more of the plurality of columns through a filtration system to form at least two circuits. In some embodiments, three or more of the plurality of tanks are connected to two or more of the plurality of columns through a filtration system to form at least three circuits.

[0276] In some embodiments, the filtration system comprises a bag filter, a candle filter, a cartridge filter, a media filter, a depth filter, a sand filter, a membrane filter, an ultrafiltration system, a microfiltration filter, a nanofiltration filter, a cross-flow filter, a dead-end filter, a drum filter, a filter press, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the filtration system comprises one or more perforated outer walls that are an optional component of any one or more tanks, such that a liquid resource or process fluid on one side of the perforated outer wall is filtered when passed through the perforated outer wall. In some embodiments, the perforatedouter wall comprises an insert that is placed into a tank, wherein liquid resource provided to the tank through an inlet is filtered by the perforated outer wall prior to the liquid resource leaving the tank through an outlet In some embodiments, the filter system comprises one or more filters that independently have openings of an average size less than about 0.02 pm, less than about 0.1 pm, less than about 0.2 pm, less than about 1 pm, less than about 2 pm, less than about 5 pm, less than about 10 pm, less than about 25 pm, less than about 100 pm, less than about 1000 pm. In some embodiments, the openings in perforated outer walls are more than about 0.02 pm, more than about 0.1 pm, more than about 0.2 pm, more than about 1 pm, more than about 2 pm, more than about 5 pm, more than about 10 pm, more than about 25 pm, more than about 100 pm. In some embodiments, the openings in perforated outer walls are about 0.02 pm to about 0.1 pm, from about 0.1 pm to about 0.2 pm, from about 0.2 pm to about 0.5 pm, from about 0.5 pm to about 1 pm, from about 1 pm to about 5 pm, from about 5 pm to about 10 pm, from about 10 pm to about 25 pm, from about 25 pm to about 100 pm. In some embodiments, a filter, a perforated outer wall, or a means for filtering comprises low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), types of polyamide, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polysulfone, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), poly (4-vinyl pyridine-co-styrene) (PVPCS), polystyrene (PS), polybutadiene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene polymer (ETFE), poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene) (PCTFE), ethylene chlorotrifluoro ethylene (Halar), polyvinylfluoride (PVF), fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP), perfluorinated elastomer, chlorotrifluoroethylenevinylidene fluoride (FKM), perfluoropolyether (PFPE), perfluoro-3,6- dioxa-4-methyl-7-octene-sulfonic acid (NAFION® (copolymer of perfluoro-3,6-dioxa-4- methyl-7-octene-sulfonic acid and tetrafluoroethylene)), polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, sodium polyacrylate, polyethylene-block-poly(ethylene glycol), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polychloroprene (neoprene), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), expanded polystyrene (EPS), polydivinylbenzene, co-polymers thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a filter, a perforated outer wall, or a means for filtering comprises a coating material comprising polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene chlorotrifluoro ethylene (Halar), poly (4-vinyl pyridine-co-styrene) (PVPCS), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyphenylene sulfide, sulfonated polymer, carboxylated polymer, other polymers, co-polymers thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a filter, a perforated outer wall, or a means for filtering comprises iron, stainless steel, nickel, carbon steel, titanium, Hastelloy, Inconel, zirconium, tantalum, alloys thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0277] In some embodiments, at least one circuit is a liquid resource circuit. In some embodiments, at least one circuit is a water washing circuit. In some embodiments, at least two circuits are water washing circuits. In some embodiments, at least one circuit is an acid circuit.

[0278] An aspect described herein is a system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource comprising ion exchange material and a plurality of vessels, wherein each of the plurality of vessels is configured to transport the ion exchange material along the length of the vessel and the ion exchange material is used to extract lithium ions from the liquid resource. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of vessels comprises an acidic solution. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of vessels comprises the liquid resource. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of vessels is configured to transport the ion exchange beads by means of a pipe system or an internal conveyer system.

[0279] An aspect described herein is a system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource comprising ion exchange material and a plurality of columns, wherein each of the plurality of columns is configured to transport the ion exchange material along the length of the column and the ion exchange material is used to extract lithium ions from the liquid resource.

[0280] In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of columns comprises an acidic solution. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of columns comprises the liquid resource. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of columns is configured to transport the ion exchange material by means of a pipe system or an internal conveyer system.

[0281] In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads comprise an ion exchange material in the form of ion exchange particles. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the ion exchange material is in the form of ion exchange particles. In some embodiments, the ion exchange particles are selected from uncoated ion exchange particles, coated ion exchange particles, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the ion exchange particles are uncoated ion exchange particles. In some embodiments, the ion exchange particles are coated ion exchange particles. In some embodiments, the ion exchange particles comprise a mixture of uncoated ion exchange particles and coated ion exchange particles.

[0282] In some embodiments, the coated ion exchange particles comprise an ion exchange material and a coating material. In some embodiments, coated ion exchange particles comprise a coating material. In some embodiments, the coating material of the coated ion exchange particles comprises a carbide, a nitride, an oxide, a phosphate, a fluoride, a polymer, carbon, a carbonaceous material, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the coating material of the coated ion exchange particles is selected from the group consisting of coating material of the coated ion exchange particles is selected from the group consisting of TiCh, ZrCh, MoO2, SnCh, Nb20s, Ta2C>5, SiCh, Li2TiO3, Li2ZrC>3, Li2SiO3, Li2MnO3, Li2MoC>3, LiNbCh, LiTaCh, AIPO4,LaPC , ZrP2O7, MOP2O7, MO2P3O12, BaSO4, AIF3, SiC, TiC, ZrC, Si3N4, ZrN, BN, carbon, graphitic carbon, amorphous carbon, hard carbon, diamond-like carbon, solid solutions thereof, and combinations thereof.

[0283] In some embodiments, the ion exchange material of the coated ion exchange particles comprises an oxide, a phosphate, an oxyfluoride, a fluorophosphate, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material of the coated ion exchange particles is selected from the group consisting of Li4Mn50i2, Li4Ti50i2, Li2TiO3, Li2MnO3, Li2SnO3, LiMmC , Li1.6Mn1.eO4, LiAlCh, LiCuCh, LiTiCh, Li4TiO4, Li7TinC>24, LisVO4, Li2Si3O7, LiFePO4, LiMnPO4, Li2CuP2O7, A1(OH)3, LiCl.xAl(OH)3.yH2O, SnO2.xSb2O5.yH2O, TiO2xSb2O5yH2O, solid solutions thereof, and combinations thereof; wherein x is from 0.1-10; and y is from 0.1- 10.

[0284] In some embodiments, the uncoated ion exchange particles comprise an ion exchange material. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material of the uncoated ion exchange particles comprises an oxide, a phosphate, an oxyfluoride, a fluorophosphate, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the ion exchange material of the uncoated ion exchange particles is selected from the group consisting of Li4Mn50i2, Li4TisOi2, Li2TiO3, Li2MnO3, Li2SnO3, LiMn2O4, Lii.eMni.eO4, LiAlCh, LiCuCh, LiTiCh, Li4TiO4, Li7TinC4, Li3VO4, Li2Si3(h, LiFePO4, LiMnPO4, Li2CuP2O7, A1(OH)3, LiCl.xAl(OH)3.yH2O, SnO2.xSb2O5.yH2O, TiO2.xSb2O5.yH2O, solid solutions thereof, and combinations thereof; wherein x is from 0.1-10; and y is from 0.1-10.

[0285] In some embodiments, the ion exchange beads are porous. In some embodiments, the porous ion exchange beads comprise a network of pores that allows liquids, such as process fluids, to move quickly from the surface of the porous ion exchange beads to a plurality of ion exchange particles comprised therein. In some embodiments, a porous ion exchange beads comprise a network of pores that allows a liquid, such as a process fluid, to move from the surface of the porous ion exchange beads to a plurality of ion exchange particles comprised therein. In some embodiments, the porous ion exchange beads comprise a network of pores that allows a liquid to move quickly from the surface of the porous ion exchange bead to a plurality of ion exchange particles comprised therein. In some embodiments, a single ion exchange bead comprises a network of pores and an ion exchange material in the form of a plurality of ion exchange particles, wherein the ion exchange particles are individually coated or uncoated. In some embodiments, ion exchange beads comprise a structural matrix material. In some embodiments, a network of pores comprises a structural matrix material. In some embodiments, a structural matrix material is a material that allows for a network of pores to be formed andmaintained. In some embodiments, a structural matrix material is a polymer or mixture of polymers.

[0286] An aspect of the disclosure described herein is a system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource that comprises a column, wherein the column further comprises a plurality of injection ports, wherein the plurality of injection ports are used to increase the pH of the liquid resource in the system.

[0287] In one embodiment of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the system is a mixed base system comprising a column and a mixing chamber where base is mixed into the liquid resource immediately prior to injection of the liquid resource into the column.

[0288] In one embodiment of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the system is a ported column system with multiple ports for injection of aqueous solutions of base, wherein the ports are spaced at intervals along the direction of flow of liquid resource through the column. As liquid resource flows through the column, there is a region of the column where the ion exchange material experiences the greatest rate of lithium absorption, and this region moves through the column over time in the direction of liquid resource flow. In some embodiments of the ported column system, base is injected near the region of the column where the ion exchange material experiences the greatest rate of lithium absorption to neutralize protons released by the ion exchange material. In some embodiments, in regions of the columns where the ion exchange material is enriched in lithium and the rate of release of protons therefrom has slowed, the quantity of base injected into the column is decreased or terminated to avoid formation of precipitates. pH Modulation

[0289] In one embodiment of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the system has a moving bed of ion exchange material that moves in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of liquid resource, wherein base is injected at one or more fixed points near the region of the column where the ion exchange reaction is proceeding at a maximum rate to neutralize the protons released from the ion exchange material. In one embodiment of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the base added to the liquid resource comprises NaOH, LiOH, KOH, Mg(0H)2, Ca(OH)2, CaO, NH3, Na2SO4, K2SO4, NaHSO4, KHSO4, NaOCl, KOC1, NaC104, KC1O4, NaH2BO3, Na2HBO3, Na3BO3, KH2BO3, K2HBO3, K3BO3, MgHBO3, CaHBO3, NaHCO3, KHCO3, NaCO3, KCO3, MgCO3, CaCO3, Na2O, K2O, Na2CO3, K2CO3, Na3PO4, Na2HPO4, NaH2PO4, K3PO4, K2HPO4, KH2PO4, CaHPO4, MgHPO4, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, magnesium acetate, poly(vinylpyridine), poly(vinylamine), polyacrylonitrile, other bases, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the base is added tothe liquid resource in its pure form or as an aqueous solution. In one embodiment, the base is added to the liquid resource in a gaseous state such as, in a non-limiting example, gaseous NH3. In one embodiment, the base is added to the liquid resource in a steady stream, a variable stream, in steady aliquots, or in variable aliquots. In some embodiments, the base is generated in the liquid resource in situ by using an electrochemical cell to remove H2 and Ch gases from the liquid resource. In some embodiments, H2 and CI2 gases generated from a liquid resource using an electrochemical cell is combined to create HC1 acid for subsequent use in acid, acid eluent, or other process fluids.

[0290] In some embodiments, a solid base is mixed with a liquid resource to create a basic solution. In some embodiments, a solid base is mixed with a liquid resource to create a basic solution, and the resulting basic solution is added to a second volume of a liquid resource to increase the pH of the second volume of a liquid resource. In some embodiments, solid base is mixed with a liquid resource to create a basic solution, wherein the resulting basic solution is used to adjust or control the pH of a second solution. In some embodiments, a solid base is mixed with a liquid resource to create a basic slurry. In some embodiments, a solid base is mixed with a liquid resource to create a basic slurry, and the resulting basic slurry is added to a second volume of a liquid resource to increase the pH of the second volume of a liquid resource. In some embodiments, solid base is mixed with a liquid resource to create a basic slurry, wherein the resulting basic slurry is used to adjust or control the pH of a second solution. In some embodiments, base is added to a liquid resource as a mixture or slurry of base and liquid resource.

[0291] In one embodiment of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the liquid resource flows through a pH control column containing solid base particles that comprise NaOH, CaO, or Ca(OH)2, which dissolve into the liquid resource and raise the pH of the liquid resource. In some embodiments of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the liquid resource flows through a pH control column containing immobilized regeneratable hydroxyl-containing ion exchange resins which react with hydrogen ions, or regeneratable base species such as immobilized polypyridine that conjugates acid, thereby neutralizing acid in the liquid resource. When the ion exchange resin has been depleted of its hydroxyl groups or is fully conjugated with acid, it can be regenerated with a base such as NaOH.

[0292] In some embodiments of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, pH meters are installed in tanks, pipes, columns, and other components of the system to monitor pH and control the rates and amounts of base addition at various locations throughout the system.

[0293] In some embodiments of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the columns, tanks, pipes, and other components of the system are optionally constructed usingplastic, metal with a plastic lining, or other materials that are resistant to corrosion by liquid resource, base, or acid.

[0294] In some embodiments of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the columns are optionally washed with water that is mildly acidic, optionally including a buffer, to remove any basic precipitates from the column prior to acid elution.

[0295] In some embodiments, after the ion exchange material within an ion exchange device becomes saturated or nearly saturated with lithium, the lithium is flushed out of the ion exchange device using acid. In some embodiments, the acid is flowed through the ion exchange device one or more times to elute the lithium. In some embodiments, the acid is flowed through the ion exchange device using a recirculating batch system that comprises the ion exchange device in fluid connection to a tank. In some embodiments, a recirculating batch system comprises one or more tanks. In some embodiments, a tank within a recirculating batch system comprises an ion exchange device. In some embodiments, the tank is configured to accommodate a flow of liquid resource or acid. In some embodiments, a plurality of tanks is configured to accommodate a flow of acid flows in one or more tanks and a separate flow of liquid resource in a separate one or more tanks. In some embodiments, acid is input into the top of an ion exchange device, be allowed to percolate through the ion exchange device by means of a natural or applied force, and be immediately recirculated into the ion exchange device. In some embodiments, acid is added to an ion exchange device without utilizing a tank configured to accommodate acid or a flow of acid.

[0296] In one embodiment of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the ion exchange device is washed with water after liquid resource and acid have been passed through the ion exchange device, wherein the effluent water produced by washing the ion exchange device with water (e.g., the used aqueous wash solution) is treated using pH neutralization and reverse osmosis to yield water suitable for use as a process fluid.

[0297] In some embodiments of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the ion exchange device is optionally shaped like a cylinder, a rectangle, or another shape. In some embodiments, the ion exchange device optionally has a cylinder shape with a height that is greater or less than its diameter. In some embodiments, the ion exchange device has a cylinder shape with a height that is less than 10 cm, less than 1 meter, or less than 10 meters. In some embodiments, the ion exchange device has a cylinder shape with a diameter that is less than 10 cm, less than 1 meter, or less than 10 meters.

[0298] In some embodiments of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the system is optionally resupplied with ion exchange material by swapping out an ion exchange device with a new ion exchange device loaded with ion exchange material. In someembodiments of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the system is optionally resupplied with ion exchange material by removing ion exchange material from the ion exchange device and loading ion exchange material into the ion exchange device that does not comprise the removed ion exchange material. In some embodiments of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, ion exchange material is resupplied to all ion exchange devices in the system simultaneously. In some embodiments of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, ion exchange material is resupplied to one or more ion exchange devices at a time. In one embodiment of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, ion exchange material is resupplied to one or more ion exchange devices without interrupting the operation of other ion exchange devices within the system.

[0299] In some embodiments of system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, a point of lithium saturation comprises a set of conditions wherein ion exchange material is unable to extract lithium ions from liquid resource or extract lithium ions from liquid resource at an acceptable rate despite the liquid resource having a pH value and lithium concentration that are ideal, preferred, or suitable for the extraction of lithium therefrom by ion exchange material. In some embodiments of the system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, pumping of the liquid resource continues until the ion exchange material approaches a point of lithium saturation over a period of time that is optionally less than about 1 hours, less than about 2 hours, less than about 4 hours, less than about 8 hours, less than about 24 hours, less than about 48 hours, or less than about one week. In some embodiments of system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, pumping of the liquid resource continues until the ion exchange material approaches a point of lithium saturation over a period of time that is optionally greater than about one week. In some embodiments of system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, pumping of the liquid resource continues until the ion exchange material approaches a point of lithium saturation over a period of time that is optionally between 30 minutes and 24 hours.

[0300] In some embodiments of system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, a point of hydrogen saturation comprises a set of conditions wherein ion exchange material is unable to extract hydrogen ions from acid at an acceptable rate despite the acid having a pH value that is ideal, preferred, or suitable for the extraction of hydrogen therefrom by ion exchange beads. In some embodiments of system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, pumping of acid continues until the ion exchange material approaches a point of hydrogen saturation over a period of time that is optionally less than about 1 hours, less than about 2 hours, less than about 4 hours, less than about 8 hours, less than about 24 hours, or less than about 48 hours. In some embodiments of system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, pumping of acid continues until the ion exchange material approaches a point of hydrogen saturation over a period of timethat is optionally greater than about one 48 hours. In some embodiments of system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, pumping of acid continues until the ion exchange material approaches a point of hydrogen saturation over a period of time that is optionally between 30 minutes and 24 hours.Base and Acid Generation

[0301] In some embodiments of the methods and systems described herein, acid and base are generated using an electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, acid and base are generated using an electrochemical cell that comprises electrodes. In some embodiments, acid and base are generated using an ion-conducting membrane. In some embodiments, the ion-conducting membrane is a cation-conducting membrane, an anion-conducting membrane or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the ion-conducting membrane comprises sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer, sulfonated polytetrafluoroethylene, sulfonated fluoropolymer, sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene polymer (MK-40™), co-polymers, or combinations thereof.

[0302] In some embodiments, the ion-conducting membrane comprises a functionalized polymer structure. In some embodiments, the functionalized polymer structure comprises polyarylene ethers, polysulfones, polyether ketones, polyphenylenes, perfluorinated polymers, polybenzimidazole, polyepichlorohydrins, unsaturated polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinylbenzyl chlorides, polyphosphazenes, polyvinyl alcohol, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, alterations of these polymers or other kinds of polymers, or composites thereof. In some embodiments, the ionconducting membrane comprises a cation-conducting membrane that allows for transfer of lithium ions across the ion-conducting membrane but prevents transfer of anion groups across the ion-conducting membrane. In some embodiments, the ion-conducting membrane has a thickness from about 1 pm to about 1000 pm. In some embodiments, the ion-conducting membrane has a thickness from about 1 mm to about 10 mm.

[0303] In some embodiments, acid and base are generated using an electrochemical cell that comprises electrodes. In some embodiments, the electrodes are comprised of titanium, niobium, zirconium, tantalum, magnesium, titanium dioxide, oxides thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the electrodes comprise a coating thereon of platinum, TiCh, ZrCh, bfeOs, Ta20s, SnC , IrCh, Rut , mixed metal oxides, graphene, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0304] In some embodiments of a system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, a chlor-alkali plant is used to generate HC1 and NaOH from an aqueous NaCl solution. In someembodiments, the HC1 generated by the chlor-alkali plant is used as an acid or as an acid eluent. In some embodiments, the NaOH generated by the chlor-alkali plant is used to adjust the pH of the liquid resource. In some embodiments, the NaOH generated by the chlor-alkali plant is used to precipitate impurities from a synthetic lithium solution.

[0305] In some embodiments of a system for lithium recovery from a liquid resource, the system comprises one or more electrochemical or electrolysis systems. The terms “electrochemical” and “electrolysis” are used interchangeably in the present specification and these terms are synonymous unless specifically noted to the contrary. In some embodiments, an electrolysis system is comprised of one or more electrochemical cells. In some embodiments, an electrochemical system is used to produce HC1 and NaOH. In some embodiments, an electrochemical system converts a salt solution into acid and base. In some embodiments, an electrochemical system converts a salt solution containing NaCl, KC1, and / or other chlorides into base and acid. In some embodiments, a salt solution comprising precipitates recovered from the liquid resource is fed into an electrochemical system to produce acid and base. In some embodiments, an electrolysis system converts a lithium salt solution to form a lithium hydroxide solution, an acidified solution, and optionally a dilute lithium salt solution. In some embodiments, the lithium salt solution comprises a synthetic lithium solution provided according to the methods and systems described herein that has optionally been concentrated and / or purified. In some embodiments, the acidified solution generated from an electrolysis system is provided to an ion exchange device to elute lithium in the form of a synthetic lithium solution.

[0306] In some embodiments, a lithium salt solution comprises acid derived from an acid eluent or an ion exchange device. In some embodiments, acid in the lithium salt solution derived from an acid eluent or an ion exchange device passes through an electrolysis system wherein the acid is further acidified to form an acidified solution. In some embodiments, a lithium salt solution is purified to remove impurities without neutralizing the acid in the lithium salt solution prior to the lithium salt solution being fed into an electrolysis system.

[0307] In some embodiments, an acidified solution produced by an electrolysis system comprises lithium ions from the lithium salt solution fed into the electrolysis system. In some embodiments, an acidified solution comprising lithium ions leaves the electrolysis system and is provided to an ion exchange device to elute lithium in the form of a synthetic lithium solution (e.g., the eluent comprises the acidified solution).

[0308] In some embodiments of an electroly...

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the system comprising:(i) an upstream subsystem configured to yield a treated liquid resource from the liquid resource;(ii) an extraction subsystem comprising a lithium-selective sorbent, wherein the extraction subsystem is configured to:(i) contact the treated liquid resource with the lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate, and(ii) contact an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution; and(iii) a downstream subsystem configured to process the synthetic lithium solution to provide the lithium product and an effluent stream; wherein the upstream subsystem, the extraction subsystem, the downstream subsystem, or a combination thereof is configured to reduce or eliminate the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein less than about 15 tonnes of external water are required to produce 1 tonne of lithium carbonate equivalents (ILCE) of the lithium product.

3. The system of claims 1 or 2, wherein the extraction subsystem is further configured to contact the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent or the lithium-selective sorbent with an aqueous wash solution or a non-aqueous alternate phase.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the non-aqueous alternate phase is a gas or an organic solvent.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the extraction subsystem is further configured to contact the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent or the lithium-selective sorbent with an aqueous wash solution to yield a used aqueous wash solution.

6. The system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the extraction subsystem comprises one or more filter banks, wherein one or more filter banks house the lithium-selective sorbent.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein each of the one or more filter banks comprises:(a) two filter plates that, when placed together, form a compartment;(b) one or more permeable partitions, wherein the one or more permeable partitions line the interior of the compartment and contain the sorbent material;(c) one or more flow distributors optionally joined to the surface of one or both of the two filter plates, and(d) one or more inlets and one or more outlets, wherein the one or more inlets and one or more outlets are configured to allow the liquid to flow through the one or more filter banks.

8. The system of any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein at least two filter banks are joined together with structural supports to form a filter press.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein the aqueous wash solution comprises partially saline water.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein the aqueous wash solution comprises fresh water.

11. The system of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the downstream subsystem comprises a pH modulation unit configured to regulate the pH of the synthetic lithium solution12. The system of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the upstream subsystem comprises a pH modulation unit configured to regulate the pH of the liquid resource to yield the treated liquid resource.

13. The system of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the extraction subsystem comprises a pH modulation unit configured to regulate the pH of the treated liquid resource during the ion exchange process.

14. The system of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the downstream subsystem is configured to reduce or eliminate the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product by recycling water used in the downstream subsystem.

15. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the extraction subsystem is configured to reduce or eliminate the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product by recycling water used in the extraction subsystem.

16. The system of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the upstream subsystem is configured to reduce or eliminate the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product by recycling water used in the upstream subsystem.

17. The system of claim 15 or 16, wherein recycling water comprises collecting water from the liquid resource or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

18. The system of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein recycling water comprises collecting water from the treated liquid resource or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the eluent solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

19. The system of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein recycling water comprises collecting water from the raffinate or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein recycling water comprises collecting 95% or more of the water from the raffinate or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

21. The system of any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein recycling water comprises collecting water from the used aqueous wash solution or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

22. The system of any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein recycling water comprises directing the used aqueous wash solution or a portion thereof to the upstream subsystem, wherein the used aqueous wash solution directed to the upstream subsystem or a portion thereof is added to the liquid resource.

23. The system of any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein recycling water comprises directing the used aqueous wash solution or a portion thereof to the upstream subsystem, wherein the used aqueous wash solution directed to the upstream subsystem or a portion thereof is added to the treated liquid resource.

24. The system of any one of claims 14 to 23, wherein recycling water comprises collecting water from the synthetic lithium solution or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

25. The system of any one of claims 14 to 24, wherein recycling water comprises collecting water from the effluent stream or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

26. The system of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the downstream subsystem comprises a reverse osmosis unit.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the reverse osmosis unit is configured for recycling water.

28. The system of claim 26 or 27, wherein the reverse osmosis unit comprises an osmotically assisted reverse osmosis unit.

29. The system of any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the reverse osmosis unit comprises a ultra-high pressure reverse osmosis unit.

30. The system of any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein the reverse osmosis unit comprises a membrane distillation unit.

31. The system of any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein the reverse osmosis unit generates an aqueous retentate.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein recycling water comprises collecting water from the aqueous retentate or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

33. The system of any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein the downstream subsystem comprises a forward osmosis unit.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the forward osmosis unit generates an aqueous permeate.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein recycling water comprises collecting water from the aqueous permeate or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

36. The system of any one of claims 1 to 35, wherein the downstream subsystem comprises an evaporation unit.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the evaporation unit comprises a mechanical vapor recompression unit.

38. The system of claims 36 or 37, wherein the evaporation unit is configured to recycle water from the aqueous retentate.

39. The system of any one of claims 36 to 38, wherein the evaporation unit is configured to recycle water from the aqueous permeate.

40. The system of any one of claims 36 to 39, wherein operation of the evaporation unit generates solid salts.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the solid salts are recycled for use in the upstream subsystem, the extraction subsystem, the downstream subsystem, or any combination thereof.

42. The system of any one of claims 36 to 39, wherein the evaporation unit is configured to prevent the generation of solid salts when the evaporation unit is in operation.

43. The system of any one of claims 1 to 42, wherein the downstream subsystem comprises a condensation unit.

44. The system of any one of claims 1 to 43, wherein the downstream subsystem comprises a nanofiltration unit.

45. The system of any one of claims 1 to 44, wherein the downstream subsystem comprises two or more of a reverse osmosis unit, an evaporation unit, and a condensation unit.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the downstream subsystem is configured to: i) collect water using the reverse osmosis unit, thereby generating collected water and an aqueous retentate; ii) collect water from the aqueous retentate using the evaporation unit, thereby generating collected water.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the evaporation unit further generates a solution saturated in dissolved salts.

48. The system of claim 46 or 47, wherein the evaporation unit further generates solid salts.

49. The system of any one of claims 45 to 48, wherein the evaporation unit comprises a mechanical vapor recompression unit.

50. The system of any one of claims 1 to 49, wherein the upstream subsystem comprises a pH modulation unit configured treat the liquid resource.

51. The system of any one of claims 1 to 50, wherein the upstream subsystem is configured to remove impurities from the liquid resource to yield the treated liquid resource.

52. The system of any one of claims 1 to 51, wherein the upstream subsystem comprises a concentration modulation unit configured to modulate the concentration of lithium in the treated liquid resource, the liquid resource, or a fraction thereof.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the concentration modulation unit is configured to collect water from the liquid resource to modulate the concentration of lithium in the treated liquid resource, the liquid resource, or a fraction thereof.

54. The system of any one of claim 53, wherein the evaporator comprises a mechanical vapor recompression unit.

55. The system of any one of claims 1 to 52, wherein the upstream subsystem comprises a redox modulation unit configured to modulate the oxidation-reduction potential of the liquid resource or treated liquid resource.

56. The system of any one of claims 1 to 55, wherein the extraction subsystem comprises a redox modulation unit configured to modulate the oxidation-reduction potential of the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the aqueous wash solution, the synthetic lithium solution, or a combination thereof.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the redox modulation unit is configured to add a chemical additive to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the aqueous wash solution, the synthetic lithium solution, or a combination thereof.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein the chemical additive comprises an oxidant.

59. The system of any one of claims 1 to 58, wherein the downstream subsystem comprises a precipitation unit60. The system of claim 59, wherein the precipitation unit is configured to remove impurities from the synthetic lithium solution and provide a solid precipitate comprising impurities.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein the precipitation unit is further configured to separate the synthetic lithium solution from the solid precipitate comprising impurities.

62. The system of any one of claims 59 to 61, wherein the precipitation unit is configured to provide the lithium product from the synthetic lithium solution.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein the precipitation unit is configured to provide the lithium product from the synthetic lithium solution by adding a precipitant to the synthetic lithium solution.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein the precipitant is sodium carbonate, and the lithium product is precipitated lithium carbonate.

65. The system of claim 63, wherein the precipitant is sodium phosphate, and the lithium product is precipitated lithium phosphate.

66. The system of claim 63, wherein the precipitant is sodium hydroxide, and the lithium product is lithium hydroxide.

67. The system of claim 63 or 66, wherein the precipitant is sodium hydroxide, the synthetic lithium solution comprises lithium sulfate, and providing the lithium product comprises the formation of precipitated sodium sulfate or a hydrate thereof.

68. The system of claim 66 or 67, wherein the synthetic lithium solution is evaporated to provide the lithium product following addition of the precipitant to the synthetic lithium solution.

69. The system of any one of claims 62 to 65, wherein the precipitation unit further provides a mother liquor.

70. The system of any one of claims 1 to 69, wherein the downstream subsystem comprises a carbonation unit configured to increase the carbonate concentration in the synthetic lithium solution.

71. The system of claim 69 or 70, wherein the downstream subsystem comprises a decarbonation unit configured to decrease the carbonate concentration in the mother liquor.

72. The system of any one of claims 1 to 71, wherein the downstream subsystem comprises an electrolysis unit.

73. The system of claim 72, wherein the electrolysis unit is configured to pass an electric current through the synthetic lithium solution to generate an acidified solution and a basified solution comprising lithium.

74. The system of any one of claims 1 to 73, wherein from about 15 to about 1 tonnes of external water are required to produce 1 tonne of lithium carbonate equivalents (ILCE) of the lithium product.

75. The system of any one of claims 1 to 73, wherein no external water is required to produce the lithium product.

76. A system for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the system comprising:(i) an extraction subsystem comprising a lithium-selective sorbent, wherein the extraction subsystem is configured to:(i) contact the liquid resource with the lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffmate;(ii) contact an aqueous wash solution with the lithiated lithiumselective sorbent to remove the liquid from the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent; and(iii) contact an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution; and(ii) an evaporation unit configured to collected water from the liquid resource or the raffinate, wherein the aqueous wash solution comprises the collected water, and wherein the evaporation unit comprises a mechanical evaporator.

77. The system of claim 76, wherein the mechanical evaporator processes the liquid resource to produce water before contact with the lithium-selective sorbent.

78. The system of claim 76, wherein the mechanical evaporator processes the raffinate to produce water after contact with the lithium-selective sorbent.

79. The system of any one of claims 76 to 78, wherein the mechanical evaporator is a mechanical vapor recompression evaporator unit.

80. The system of any one of claims 76 to 79, wherein the mechanical evaporation unit is configured to minimize the amount of energy required to collect water by operating the evaporation unit.

81. The system of any one of claims 76 to 80, wherein the mechanical evaporation unit requires thermal energy to collect water, and at least a portion of the thermal energy is obtained from the liquid resource or raffinate.

82. The system of any one of claims 76 to 81, wherein the mechanical evaporator does not require an external source of heat, and wherein the temperature of the liquid resource or raffinate exiting the evaporator is about equal to the temperature of the liquid resource or raffinate entering the evaporator.

83. The system of any one of claims 76 to 82, wherein operation of the mechanical evaporation unit generates solid salts.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein the solid salts are converted to an acid, a base, or a combination thereof, and said acid, said base, or said combination thereof is used in the downstream subsystem.

85. The system of any one of claims 76 to 84, wherein the mechanical evaporation unit is configured to prevent the generation of solid salts when the mechanical evaporation unit is in operation.

86. The system of any one of claims 76 to 85, wherein the mechanical evaporation unit generates a solution saturated in dissolved salts.

87. The system of any one of claims 76 to 86, wherein evaporating water from the liquid resource or raffinate increases the concentration of lithium in said liquid resource or raffinate.

88. The system of any one of claims 76 to 87, wherein the liquid resource is obtained from a natural source, wherein obtaining the liquid resource comprises diluting the liquid resource with water, and wherein processing the liquid resource in said mechanical evaporator collects said water or a portion thereof used for diluting the liquid resource.

89. The system of any one of claims 76 to 88, wherein 5 % or more, 10 % or more, 20 % or more, 30 % or more, 40 % or more, 50 % or more, 60 % or more, 70 % or more, 80 % or more, or 90 % or more, of the aqueous wash solution used in the extraction subsystem is obtained from the mechanical evaporator system.

90. The system of any one of claims 76 to 89, wherein all of the aqueous wash solution used in the extraction subsystem is obtained from the mechanical evaporator system.

91. The system of any one of claims 76 to 90, further comprising an upstream subsystem configured to yield a treated liquid resource from the liquid resource.

92. The system of claim 91, wherein the upstream subsystem, the extraction subsystem, or a combination thereof is configured to reduce or eliminate the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product.

93. The system of any one of claims 76 to 92, further comprising a downstream subsystem configured to process the synthetic lithium solution to provide the lithium product and an effluent stream.

94. The system of claim 93, wherein the upstream subsystem, the extraction subsystem, the downstream subsystem, or a combination thereof is configured to reduce or eliminate the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product.

95. The system of claims 93 or 94, wherein the eluent solution is processed in the downstream subsystem.

96. A system for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the system comprising:(i) an upstream subsystem configured to yield a treated liquid resource from the liquid resource;(ii) an extraction subsystem comprising a lithium-selective sorbent, wherein the extraction subsystem is configured to:(i) contact the treated liquid resource with the lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate, and(ii) contact an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution; and(iii) a downstream subsystem configured to process the synthetic lithium solution to provide the lithium product and an effluent stream; wherein the upstream subsystem, the extraction subsystem, the downstream subsystem, or a combination thereof is configured to reduce or eliminate the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product; and wherein less than about 15 tonnes of external water are required to produce 1 tonne of lithium carbonate equivalents (tLcr) of the lithium product.

97. A system for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the system comprising:(i) an upstream subsystem configured to:(i) yield a treated liquid resource from the liquid resource; and(ii) reduce or eliminate the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product by collecting water from the liquid resource or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof;(ii) an extraction subsystem comprising a lithium-selective sorbent, wherein the extraction subsystem is configured to:(i) contact the treated liquid resource with the lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate; and(ii) contact an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution; and(iii) a downstream subsystem configured to process the synthetic lithium solution to provide the lithium product and an effluent stream; wherein the upstream subsystem comprises an evaporation unit, wherein the evaporation unit is a mechanical vapor recompression unit, and wherein the mechanical vapor recompression unit is configured to collect water from the liquid resource or a portion thereof.

98. A system for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the system comprising:(i) an upstream subsystem configured to yield a treated liquid resource from the liquid resource;(ii) an extraction subsystem comprising a lithium-selective sorbent, wherein the extraction subsystem is configured to:(i) contact the treated liquid resource with the lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate; and(ii) contact an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution; and(iii) a downstream subsystem configured to:(i) process the synthetic lithium solution to provide the lithium product and an effluent stream; and(ii) reduce or eliminate the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product by collecting water from the raffinate or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof; wherein the downstream subsystem comprises an evaporation unit, wherein the evaporation unit is a mechanical vapor recompression unit, and wherein the mechanical vapor recompression unit is configured to collect water from the raffinate or a portion thereof.

99. A system for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the system comprising:(i) an upstream subsystem configured to yield a treated liquid resource from the liquid resource;(ii) an extraction subsystem comprising a lithium-selective sorbent, wherein the extraction subsystem is configured to:a) contact the treated liquid resource with the lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate; and b) contact an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution; and(iii) a downstream subsystem configured to: a) process the synthetic lithium solution to provide the lithium product and an effluent stream; and b) reduce or eliminate the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product by collecting water from the raffinate or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof, wherein the downstream subsystem comprises a reverse osmosis unit.

100. A process for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the process comprising:(i) contacting the liquid resource or a treated liquid resource with a lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium -selective sorbent and a raffinate; and(ii) contacting an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution, wherein the lithium product is produced from the synthetic lithium solution.

101. The process of claim 100, wherein the process reduces or eliminates the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product.

102. The process of claim 100 or 101, further comprising treating the liquid resource to yield a treated liquid resource from the liquid resource.

103. The process of claim 102, wherein treating the liquid resource reduces or eliminates the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product.

104. The process of any one of claims 100 to 103, further comprising processing the synthetic lithium solution to provide the lithium product and an effluent stream.

105. The system of claim 104, wherein processing the synthetic lithium solution reduces or eliminates the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product.

106. A process for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the process comprising:(i) treating the liquid resource to yield a treated liquid resource from the liquid resource;(ii) contacting the treated liquid resource with a lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate;(iii) contacting an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution; and(iv) processing the synthetic lithium solution to provide the lithium product and an effluent stream; wherein the process reduces or eliminates the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product.

107. The process of any one of claims 100 to 106, wherein less than about 15 tonnes of external water are required to produce 1 tonne of lithium carbonate equivalents (ttcr) of the lithium product.

108. The process of any one of claims 100 to 107, further comprising contacting the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent or the lithium-selective sorbent with an aqueous wash solution or a non-aqueous alternate phase.

109. The process of claim 108, further comprising contacting the lithiated lithiumselective sorbent or the lithium-selective sorbent with an aqueous wash solution to yield a used aqueous wash solution.

110. The process of any one of claims 100 to 109, further comprising regulating the pH of the synthetic lithium solution.

111. The process of any one of claims 100 to 110, wherein treating the liquid resource comprises regulating the pH of the liquid resource.

112. The process of any one of claims 100 to 111, wherein further comprising regulating the pH of the treated liquid resource when the treated liquid resource is contacted with the lithium-selective sorbent.

113. The process of any one of claims 104 to 112, wherein the process reduces or eliminates the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product by recycling water used to process the synthetic lithium solution.

114. The process of claim 106 or 107, wherein the process reduces or eliminates the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product by recycling water used to provide the synthetic lithium solution.

115. The process of any one of claims 102 to 114, wherein the process reduces or eliminates the amount of external water required to produce the lithium product by recycling water used for treating the liquid resource to yield a treated liquid resource.

116. The process of claim 114 or 115, wherein recycling water comprises collecting water from the liquid resource or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

117. The process of any one of claims 114 to 116, wherein recycling water comprises collecting water from the treated liquid resource or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the eluent solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

118. The process of any one of claims 113 to 117, wherein recycling water comprises collecting water from the raffinate or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

119. The process of claim 118, wherein recycling water comprises collecting 95% or more of the water from the raffinate or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

120. The process of any one of claims 113 to 119, wherein recycling water comprises collecting water from the used aqueous wash solution or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

121. The process of any one of claims 113 to 119, wherein recycling water comprises adding the used aqueous wash solution or a portion thereof to the liquid resource, such that treating the liquid resource comprises adding the used aqueous wash solution or a portion thereof to the liquid resource.

122. The process of any one of claims 113 to 119, wherein recycling water comprises adding the used aqueous wash solution or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, such that treating the liquid resource comprises adding the used aqueous wash solution or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource.

123. The process of any one of claims 113 to 122, wherein recycling water comprises collecting water from the synthetic lithium solution or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

124. The process of any one of claims 113 to 123, wherein recycling water comprises collecting water from the effluent stream or a portion thereof and adding the collectedwater or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

125. The process of any one of claims 104 to 124, further comprising a reverse osmosis unit configured for recycling water.

126. The process of claim 125, further comprising generating an aqueous retentate through the use of a reverse osmosis unit.

127. The process of claim 126, wherein recycling water comprises collecting water from the aqueous retentate or a portion thereof and adding the collected water or a portion thereof to the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the synthetic lithium solution, the aqueous wash solution, or a combination thereof.

128. The process of any one of claims 104 to 127, further comprising: i) collecting water using the reverse osmosis unit, thereby generating collected water and an aqueous retentate; ii) collecting water from the aqueous retentate using the evaporation unit, thereby generating collected water.

129. The process of claim 128, wherein the evaporation unit further generates a solution saturated in dissolved salts.

130. The process of claim 127 or 128, wherein the evaporation unit further generates solid salts.

131. The process of any one of claims 128 to 130, wherein the evaporation unit collects more than 50% of the water present in the aqueous retentate.

132. The process of any one of claims 102 to 131, wherein treating the liquid resource comprises collecting water from the liquid resource to modulate the concentration of lithium in the treated liquid resource and provide collected water for recycling.

133. The process of claim 132, further comprising providing an evaporator and a condenser, wherein the evaporator evaporates water from the liquid resource to generate water vapor and subsequently the condenser condenses said water vapor, thereby providing collected water for recycling and modulating the concentration of lithium in the liquid resource.

134. The process of claims 132 or 133, wherein the liquid resource is obtained from a natural source, wherein obtaining the liquid resource comprises diluting the liquid resource with water, and wherein treating the liquid resource comprises collecting said water used for diluting the liquid resource or a portion thereof from the liquid resource.

135. The process of any one of claims 102 to 131, wherein treating the liquid resource comprises adding water to the liquid resource to modulate the concentration of lithium in the treated liquid resource.

136. The process of any one of claims 102 to 135, wherein treating the liquid resource comprises modulating the oxidation-reduction potential of the liquid resource.

137. The process of any one of claims 100 to 136, further comprising modulating the oxidation-reduction potential of the treated liquid resource, the eluent solution, the aqueous wash solution, the synthetic lithium solution, or a combination thereof.

138. The process of any one of claims 104 to 137, further comprising adding a base is added to the synthetic lithium solution.

139. The process of any one of claims 104 to 138, wherein a precipitant is added the synthetic lithium solution to generate the lithium product.

140. The process of claim 139, wherein the precipitant comprises a carbonate salt, a sulfate salt, a hydroxide salt, or a phosphate salt.

141. The process of claim 140, wherein the precipitant is sodium carbonate, and the lithium product is precipitated lithium carbonate.

142. The process of any one of claims 104 to 141, wherein processing the synthetic lithium solution comprises increasing the carbonate concentration in the synthetic lithium solution.

143. The process of any one of claims 100 to 142, wherein less than about 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 tonnes of external water are required to produce 1 tonne of lithium carbonate equivalents (trcr) of the lithium product.

144. The process of any one of claims 100 to 142, wherein about 15 to 1 tonnes of external water are required to produce 1 tonne of lithium carbonate equivalents (tLcr) of the lithium product.

145. The process of any one of claims 100 to 144, wherein no external water is required to produce the lithium product.

146. A process for producing a lithium product from a liquid resource, the process comprising:(i) contacting the liquid resource with the lithium-selective sorbent to provide a lithiated lithium-selective sorbent and a raffinate;(ii) contacting an aqueous wash solution with the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to remove the liquid from the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent;(iii) contacting an eluent solution to the lithiated lithium-selective sorbent to provide a synthetic lithium solution;(iv) providing an evaporation unit; and(v) collecting water from the liquid resource or the raffinate using the evaporation unit to provide collected water; wherein the aqueous wash solution comprises the collected water, wherein the evaporation unit comprises a mechanical evaporator, and wherein the lithium product is produced from the synthetic lithium solution.

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