Electrolysis Device for Lithium Recovery and CO2 Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for lithium due to the spread of lithium ion secondary batteries is expected to lead to insufficient supply and higher costs, while lithium is abundant in seawater, necessitating a method to recover lithium from seawater and convert carbon dioxide into valuable carbon compounds.
Innovation Solution
An electrolysis device is developed that uses a lithium ion conductive material as a separator and applies a voltage between an anode and a cathode to transfer lithium ions from a stock solution to a recovery liquid, while reducing carbon dioxide at the cathode to produce a carbon compound, allowing for the recovery of lithium and generation of carbon compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If lithium is mined from conventional mines, then lithium supply is limited and cost increases, but if lithium is recovered from seawater using conventional methods, then recovery efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the electrolysis cell into multiple compartments using ion-exchange membranes, creating separate zones for lithium ion concentration and carbon dioxide reduction. This segmentation allows selective lithium ion transport while maintaining different chemical environments in each compartment, thereby improving recovery efficiency from dilute seawater.
Solution Approach 2:
Ion-exchange membranes act as intermediaries that selectively transport lithium ions from the seawater compartment to the concentrate compartment while blocking other ions. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient lithium separation and concentration from dilute seawater solutions.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If carbon dioxide is simply stored, then carbon dioxide reduction is achieved, but no valuable carbon compounds are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The device converts harmful carbon dioxide gas into valuable carbon compounds (such as formate, acetate, or other organic compounds) through electrochemical reduction at the cathode. This transforms a waste product into a useful resource, simultaneously addressing carbon dioxide emission problems and producing chemical products.
Solution Approach 2:
By controlling electrochemical parameters such as applied voltage, current density, and catalyst selection, the device can selectively produce different carbon compounds from carbon dioxide. This parameter control enables optimization of both carbon dioxide conversion efficiency and product selectivity.
3Reliability
If separate processes are used for lithium recovery and carbon dioxide reduction, then each process can be optimized, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges lithium ion concentration and carbon dioxide reduction into a single integrated electrolysis cell. Both processes occur simultaneously in different compartments of the same device, sharing common components such as power supply, electrode structures, and ion-exchange membranes. This integration reduces overall device complexity and eliminates the need for separate processing units.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolysis cell performs multiple functions simultaneously: lithium ion separation, lithium concentration, carbon dioxide reduction, and carbon compound production. This multi-functionality is achieved through carefully designed electrode configurations and ion-exchange membranes that enable concurrent operation of different chemical processes within a single device.
4Productivity
If conventional electrolysis methods are used, then energy consumption is high, but lithium recovery and carbon compound production cannot be achieved simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The device ensures continuous useful action by simultaneously performing lithium ion concentration and carbon dioxide reduction throughout the electrolysis process. Both valuable products are generated continuously during operation, maximizing the utility of the applied electrical energy and avoiding energy waste associated with sequential batch processes.
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 device effectively recovers lithium from seawater and generates carbon compounds from carbon dioxide, addressing the future lithium demand while contributing to carbon dioxide reduction, with the added benefit of low-cost lithium recovery and potential chlorine generation.
Implementation Method 1
the lithium ion exchanger is provided so as to partition the first electrolyte solution and the second electrolyte solution, and allows the lithium ions to selectively pass from the second electrolyte solution toward the first electrolyte solution
Implementation Method 2
carbon dioxide in the first carbon gas is reduced to produce a carbon compound different from carbon dioxide by applying a voltage between the first electrode part and the second electrode part
Implementation Method 3
by applying a voltage between the first electrode part and the second electrode part in a state where the first carbon gas is supplied from the first gas supply part toward the first electrode part
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an electrolysis device capable of recovering lithium from seawater, brine, recycled waste liquid, or the like containing lithium ions, and capable of generating a carbon compound from carbon dioxide. The electrolysis device including: a first electrode part; a second electrode part; a lithium ion exchanger; a first electrolyte solution; a second electrolyte solution containing lithium ions; and a first gas supply part capable of supplying a first carbon gas containing carbon dioxide, in which the first electrode part includes a catalyst layer, and the catalyst layer is in contact with the first electrolyte solution, the second electrode part is opposed to the first electrode part with the lithium ion exchanger interposed between the second electrode part and the first electrode part, and is in contact with the second electrolyte solution, the lithium ion exchanger is provided so as to partition the first electrolyte solution and the second electrolyte solution, and allows the lithium ions to selectively pass from the second electrolyte solution toward the first electrolyte solution, and carbon dioxide in the first carbon gas is reduced to produce a carbon compound different from carbon dioxide by applying a voltage between the first electrode part and the second electrode part in a state where the first carbon gas is supplied from the first gas supply part toward the first electrode part.