Direct Lithium Extraction From Dilute Aqueous Sources

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods are inadequate for efficiently recovering lithium from dilute aqueous sources, which are abundant but often overlooked, leading to a global supply deficit 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

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If lithium extraction is performed from dilute aqueous sources using conventional methods, then lithium recovery is achieved, but the process efficiency is low and impurity removal is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium recovery efficiencyVSAvoidlithium purification level

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the lithium recovery process into three distinct stages: extraction stage (using lithium selective membranes to separate lithium from dilute sources), concentration stage (using evaporation and counter-flow reverse osmosis to concentrate lithium intermediate), and purification stage (using impurity preparation and treatment to remove impurities). This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, resolving the contradiction between recovery efficiency and purification level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a lithium intermediate as an intermediary substance that carries lithium through the extraction stage before final concentration and purification. This intermediary approach allows efficient lithium transfer from dilute sources while enabling separate optimization of concentration and purification processes, thereby achieving both high recovery efficiency and high purification level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple processing stages are implemented to improve lithium concentration and purification, then lithium recovery quality increases, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium purification levelVSAvoidprocess structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs lithium selective membranes that perform multiple functions: they selectively separate lithium from dilute sources in the extraction stage, and the same membrane technology principles are applied in the counter-flow reverse osmosis unit in the concentration stage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for entirely different equipment for each stage, thereby reducing overall process complexity while maintaining high purification levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes (temperature, pressure, flow direction) to achieve different objectives in different stages using similar equipment. For example, evaporation uses temperature increase to concentrate lithium, while counter-flow reverse osmosis uses pressure and reversed flow direction to further concentrate and purify. These parameter adjustments allow a single type of processing unit to perform multiple functions, reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach effectively concentrates and purifies lithium from dilute sources, achieving high recovery rates and reducing impurity levels, addressing the supply deficit and high prices.

Implementation Method 1

separating lithium using a lithium selective electrochemical separation process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon Exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

lithium selective electrochemical separation process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical separation: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 3

concentrating lithium using a concentration process comprising counter-flow reverse osmosis operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReverse Osmosis: Reverse Osmosis

Implementation Method 4

evaporation techniques, to enhance lithium recovery from dilute sources

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS12533605B2Lithium recovery using aqueous sources

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

Described herein are methods of recovering lithium from dilute lithium sources. The methods include concentrating a dilute aqueous lithium source to yield an extraction feed having an extraction lithium concentration; extracting lithium from the extraction feed using direct lithium extraction in an extraction stage to yield a lithium intermediate; concentrating a stream obtained from the lithium intermediate in a concentration stage to yield a lithium concentrate; and converting lithium in the lithium concentrate to lithium hydroxide.