Shaped DLE Sorbent Composition for High Lithium Loading Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sorbents for direct lithium extraction from brines suffer from minimal surface area, instability at high temperatures, high cost, and insufficient lithium loading capacity, limiting the efficiency and economy of lithium recovery.

Innovation Solution

Development of a sorbent composition comprising lithiated aluminum components and inorganic binders, shaped into particles with controlled size and surface area, and subjected to heat treatment, enhancing lithium adsorption capacity and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional sorbents are used for direct lithium extraction, then the extraction process can proceed, but the sorbent suffers from minimal surface area, instability at high temperatures, high cost, and insufficient lithium loading capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium loading capacityVSAvoidstability at high temperatures

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite sorbent material consisting of lithiated aluminum hydroxide (LiDATH) as the active lithium-binding phase combined with an inorganic binder matrix. This composite structure provides both high lithium loading capacity through the LiDATH component and thermal stability through the inorganic binder, resolving the contradiction between quantity of lithium absorbed and reliability at high temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the sorbent by lithiating aluminum hydroxide to create LiDATH, which has enhanced lithium affinity and loading capacity. Additionally, the sorbent is subjected to heat treatment at controlled temperatures to optimize its structural properties and stability, thereby improving both lithium capacity and thermal reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If existing sorbent compositions are used, then lithium extraction can occur, but the surface area is minimal and lithium loading capacity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium loading capacityVSAvoidsurface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes a porous inorganic binder matrix that provides high surface area for lithium adsorption. The porous structure increases the available surface area while maintaining high lithium loading capacity, as the lithiated aluminum hydroxide particles are distributed within this high-surface-area matrix, allowing both parameters to be improved simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Productivity

If conventional sorbents are employed, then the extraction process can function, but the cost is high and efficiency is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a cost-effective inorganic binder formulation that can be manufactured at lower cost compared to conventional organic binders or complex composite materials. The binder system is designed to be economically viable while providing sufficient mechanical strength and thermal stability, thereby improving productivity without increasing manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 sorbent composition achieves high lithium adsorption capacity and stability, enabling efficient and economical recovery of lithium from brines with improved kinetic and thermodynamic properties.

Implementation Method 1

a lithium bearing brine source is subjected to a sorbent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

lithiated aluminum component selected from the group consisting of a lithiated aluminum trihydroxide (ATH), lithiated aluminum oxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon Exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 3

subjected to heat treatment, enhancing lithium adsorption capacity and stability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentUS20250387777A1Direct lithium extraction compositions and methods

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 ALBEMARLE CORP

AI summary

Disclosed are sorbent compositions for direct lithium extraction (DLE). The sorbent compositions include a lithiated aluminum component and an inorganic binder, and are in the form of shaped particles. The lithiated aluminum component makes up about 50% w/w to about 90% w/w of the sorbent compositions, whereas the binder makes up about 10% w/w to about 50% w/w of the sorbent compositions. Processes for producing the sorbent compositions are also provided, as are methods of using the sorbent compositions for DLE.