Basic-Mixed Lithium Adsorbent Extrudates for Selective Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting lithium from saline solutions face challenges in achieving selective extraction, mechanical stability, and efficient adsorption kinetics due to the presence of impurities like alkali and alkaline earth metals, leading to issues such as clogging and reduced lithium recovery.
Innovation Solution
A novel process involving boehmite precipitation under specific temperature and pH conditions, followed by shaping via basic extrusion and hydrothermal treatment, results in a crystalline solid material with improved mechanical strength and lithium adsorption capacity, specifically in the form of extrudates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional mixing and shaping methods are used, then the material can be produced, but the mechanical strength and cohesion are insufficient leading to clogging and fine particle generation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pH parameter during mixing to basic conditions (pH > 7), which triggers in-situ formation of aluminum hydroxide that acts as a binding agent. This parameter change transforms the mixing process from simple mechanical combination to a chemical bonding process, dramatically improving mechanical strength and eliminating fine particle generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces aluminum hydroxide as an intermediary substance formed in-situ during basic mixing. This intermediary acts as a binding agent that bridges aluminum oxide and lithium chloride particles, creating strong cohesive bonds that prevent clogging and fine particle generation while maintaining material integrity.
2Productivity
If conventional adsorbent materials are used, then lithium extraction can occur, but the adsorption kinetics are slow and capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite material structure where aluminum oxide, lithium chloride, and in-situ formed aluminum hydroxide are intimately mixed at the particle level. This composite structure provides multiple active sites for lithium adsorption and creates efficient diffusion pathways, dramatically improving adsorption kinetics and capacity while reducing extraction time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates local regions of high lithium affinity within the material structure through basic mixing, where aluminum hydroxide forms around lithium chloride particles. This local quality enhancement creates concentrated active sites that accelerate adsorption kinetics without requiring the entire material to be uniformly reactive.
3Manufacturing precision
If selective lithium extraction is pursued, then lithium recovery improves, but the presence of alkali and alkaline earth metals creates separation difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only lithium from the complex saline solution containing multiple metals by using a selectively designed adsorbent. The basic mixing process creates a material with specific chemical affinity for lithium ions, allowing lithium to be selectively bound and separated from alkali and alkaline earth metals in a single extraction step, simplifying the overall separation process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process produces a solid material with enhanced cohesion, mechanical strength, and adsorption kinetics, allowing for selective lithium extraction with high purity and reduced fine particle generation, thus improving the efficiency and stability of lithium recovery processes.
Implementation Method 1
a step a) of precipitation of boehmite under specific temperature and pH conditions
Implementation Method 2
lithium adsorption capacity as well as the adsorption kinetics
Implementation Method 3
extraction of lithium from saline solutions
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of solid materials for adsorbing lithium. In particular, the present invention relates to a novel method for preparing a solid, shaped crystallised material, preferably in the form of extruded products, of formula LiXx.2Al(OH)3,n H2O in which n is between 0.01 and 10, x being equal to 1 when X is an anion chosen from the chloride, hydroxide and nitrate anions, and x being equal to 0.5 when X is an anion chosen from the sulfate and carbonate anions, comprising a step a) of precipitating boehmite under specific temperature and pH conditions; and at least one step of shaping by basic mixing, said method also comprising a final hydrothermal treatment step, the method as a whole making it possible to increase the lithium adsorption capacity and the adsorption kinetics of the obtained materials relative to the materials from the prior art when used in a method for extracting lithium from saline solutions.