Composite Material for Lithium Extraction from Brine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium extraction methods from brines are inefficient due to high mechanical fragility, clogging issues, and environmental concerns, particularly when subjected to high temperatures, pressures, and flow rates in water treatment devices.
Innovation Solution
A composite material comprising polymer microfibers with diameters between 10 μm and 500 μm and lithium-adsorbent particles, offering high mechanical strength and open porosity, allowing for effective lithium extraction from brines with minimal pressure loss and recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If polymer nanofibers with small diameter (150-260 nm) are used for lithium extraction, then lithium extraction efficiency is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates and material clogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the diameter parameter of polymer fibers from nanoscale (150-260 nm) to microscale (10-500 μm), which fundamentally alters the mechanical properties while maintaining lithium extraction capability through the combined structure with lithium-adsorbent particles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material combining polymer microfibers with lithium-adsorbent particles (such as lithium titanate, lithium manganate, or lithium aluminate), where the composite structure provides both mechanical strength from the polymer matrix and lithium extraction functionality from the adsorbent particles
2Measurement precision
If membrane materials with porous support are used for lithium extraction, then lithium extraction selectivity is improved, but mechanical fragility increases and pre-filtration is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the scale of the support structure from thin membrane to three-dimensional microfiber network, and adjusts porosity parameters to achieve a balance between lithium extraction selectivity and mechanical robustness, eliminating the need for pre-filtration
3Quantity of substance
If standard precipitation methods are used for lithium extraction, then lithium recovery is achieved, but process time increases to 12-24 months and environmental footprint worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the slow chemical precipitation process with a physical adsorption process using lithium-adsorbent particles in a continuous flow system, reducing processing time from months to minutes while maintaining lithium recovery efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes ion exchange and adsorption phase transitions where lithium ions are captured from brine by the adsorbent particles, enabling rapid separation and recovery without requiring lengthy precipitation reactions
4Productivity
If composite materials with high porosity are used for lithium extraction, then lithium extraction efficiency is improved, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes porosity parameters by controlling microfiber diameter (10-500 μm) and particle size distribution, achieving high porosity (70-99%) for lithium extraction while maintaining low pressure loss through the three-dimensional network structure that facilitates fluid flow
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 composite material enables selective lithium extraction from brines with high efficiency and recyclability, maintaining mechanical integrity under harsh conditions, thus overcoming the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a composite material comprising polymer microfibers and lithium-adsorbent particles... for extracting lithium from a brine
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to composite material comprising polymer microfibers and lithium-adsorbent particles characterized in that said polymer microfibers have a diameter comprised between 10 μm and 500 μm, and said composite material has an open porosity comprised between 70% and 99% and a density comprised between 0.05 g/cm3 and 0.5 g/cm3. It also relates to a cartridge comprising such a material and to a process for extracting lithium from a brine using such a material.