Garnet Solid Electrolyte for Low-Temp Lithium Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for purifying lithium from natural resources, especially those with low purity, are costly and time-consuming, and require high temperatures, making sustainable lithium production challenging.
Innovation Solution
A method involving electrolysis of a molten composition with a garnet-type oxide solid electrolyte that allows lithium ions to pass through while blocking other atoms, reducing the need for high-purity lithium salts and lowering operating temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional purification methods are used for low-purity lithium salts, then high-purity lithium can be obtained, but the process requires high temperatures and is costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
A membrane is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrolyte and cathode. This membrane selectively permits lithium ions to pass through while blocking other ions, enabling purification during electrolysis without requiring high temperatures or pre-purification of the lithium salt feedstock.
Solution Approach 2:
The process operates at lower temperatures by changing the electrolysis parameters and using a membrane-based separation mechanism instead of conventional high-temperature purification methods. This parameter change enables direct electrolysis of low-purity lithium salts to produce high-purity lithium metal.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional electrolysis methods are used without membrane separation, then the process is simpler, but high-purity lithium cannot be obtained from low-purity sources
Solution Approach 1:
A membrane is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrolyte and cathode. This membrane selectively permits lithium ions to pass through while blocking other ions, enabling purification during electrolysis without requiring high temperatures or pre-purification of the lithium salt feedstock.
3Manufacturing precision
If pre-purification of lithium salts is performed before electrolysis, then high-purity lithium can be produced, but the process time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The purification function is merged into the electrolysis process itself through the use of a selective membrane. Instead of performing purification as a separate pre-step, the membrane enables simultaneous purification and lithium metal production during electrolysis, eliminating redundant process steps.
Solution Approach 2:
A membrane is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrolyte and cathode. This membrane selectively permits lithium ions to pass through while blocking other ions, enabling purification during electrolysis without requiring high temperatures or pre-purification of the lithium salt feedstock.
4Productivity
If conventional methods are used for lithium recovery from low-grade sources, then sustainable lithium production is achieved, but the cost is prohibitively high
Solution Approach 1:
The purification function is merged into the electrolysis process itself through the use of a selective membrane. Instead of performing purification as a separate pre-step, the membrane enables simultaneous purification and lithium metal production during electrolysis, eliminating redundant process steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The process operates at lower temperatures by changing the electrolysis parameters and using a membrane-based separation mechanism instead of conventional high-temperature purification methods. This parameter change enables direct electrolysis of low-purity lithium salts to produce high-purity lithium metal.
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 enables the cost-effective and efficient production of high-purity lithium from low-purity sources, significantly reducing production costs and time, and allows for the use of low-grade lithium resources like brine, achieving lithium recovery at a fraction of the conventional method's cost.
Implementation Method 1
a solid electrolyte capable of conducting lithium ions, wherein the solid electrolyte allows lithium ions, but not other atoms, to pass through
Implementation Method 2
electrolyzing a molten composition comprising a lithium salt, with an anode in contact with the molten composition and a cathode separated from the molten composition by a solid electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for purifying lithium from lithium salts, including those with low concentration of lithium salts, are provided. A molten composition comprising a lithium salt is electrolyzed with an anode in contact with the molten composition and a cathode separated from the molten composition by a solid electrolyte capable of conducting lithium ions.