Direct Lithium Extraction and Membrane Concentration for Dilute Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies are inadequate for efficiently recovering lithium from dilute aqueous sources, which are abundant but often overlooked in lithium extraction processes, leading to supply deficits and high prices.
Innovation Solution
A method involving direct lithium extraction, followed by concentration and purification stages using lithium selective membranes and electrochemical separation processes, coupled with counter-flow reverse osmosis and evaporation techniques, to enhance lithium recovery from dilute sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If lithium extraction is performed from dilute aqueous sources using conventional methods, then lithium can be recovered, but the process is inefficient and economically unviable due to low lithium concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction process is divided into multiple sequential stages: extraction stage, concentration stage, and purification stage. Each stage performs a specific function to progressively increase lithium concentration and purity, making the overall process efficient despite starting from dilute sources
Solution Approach 2:
The concentration stage performs preliminary concentration of lithium from the extraction intermediate before purification. This preliminary action increases lithium concentration to a level where subsequent purification processes become economically viable and efficient
2Reliability
If conventional lithium extraction methods are used on dilute sources, then some lithium recovery is achieved, but impurity removal is insufficient and recovery rates remain low
Solution Approach 1:
A lithium intermediate stream is created as an intermediary between the dilute source and the final purified product. This intermediate serves as a platform for sequential concentration and purification operations, enabling high recovery rates while achieving the necessary purification level
Solution Approach 2:
The process systematically changes key parameters including lithium concentration, impurity concentration, and stream flow rates across different stages. These parameter changes transform the dilute source into a concentrated purified product while maintaining high recovery rates
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
This method effectively concentrates and purifies lithium from dilute sources, achieving high recovery rates and reducing impurity concentrations, thereby addressing supply deficits and stabilizing lithium prices.
Implementation Method 1
separating lithium using a lithium selective electrochemical separation process
Implementation Method 2
concentrating lithium using a concentration process comprising counter-flow reverse osmosis operation
Implementation Method 3
coupled with counter-flow reverse osmosis and evaporation techniques
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are methods of recovering lithium from dilute lithium sources. The methods include extracting lithium from an extraction feed using direct lithium extraction in an extraction stage to yield a lithium intermediate, performing one or more concentration operations, each concentration operation concentrating an input stream to yield an output feed, wherein the input stream is obtained from the lithium intermediate and/or the extraction feed is obtained from the output feed. At least one of the concentration operations includes a membrane separation operation having a plurality of reactors in series each having a semi-permeable membrane, such as a counter-flow reverse osmosis operation. Methods may also include generating a low TDS stream as a permeate from any of the one or more concentration operations, wherein the low TDS stream is recycled or used as fresh water.