Lithiated Bayerite Composition for Higher Lithium Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing lithiated bayerite result in materials with limited lithium adsorption capacity, necessitating the development of a more effective method to enhance this capacity.
Innovation Solution
A product comprising lithiated bayerite with a mean crystallite size of 10 nm to 25 nm and a combined aluminum hydroxide and boehmite content of 10% or less, along with a specific chemical composition and manufacturing process that includes steps such as aqueous suspension of an aluminum source, pH adjustment, addition of chlorine salt, and controlled temperature and time conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If existing methods are used to produce lithiated bayerite, then the material can be obtained, but the lithium adsorption capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling crystallite size (10-25 nm range) and chemical composition (Li: 2-5%, Cl: 10-26%, Al: 15-30%) to transform the material properties. This resolves the contradiction by changing physical parameters to achieve high lithium adsorption capacity while maintaining material stability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material structure by combining lithiated bayerite with specific aluminum hydroxide and boehmite content (≤10%). This composite approach enhances lithium adsorption capacity while the controlled composition ensures material reliability and prevents performance limitations
2Quantity of substance
If the crystallite size is reduced to enhance adsorption capacity, then lithium capture performance improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a precise crystallite size range of 10-25 nm to optimize lithium adsorption capacity. This parameter control resolves the contradiction by defining a specific size window that achieves high performance while providing clear manufacturing targets for quality control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical grinding methods with chemical synthesis approaches to achieve uniform nanoscale crystallite sizes. This substitution resolves the manufacturing precision challenge by using controlled chemical reactions rather than mechanical size reduction, which is difficult to control at the nanoscale
3Quantity of substance
If the aluminum hydroxide and boehmite content is reduced to increase lithium content, then lithium adsorption capacity improves, but material stability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the aluminum hydroxide and boehmite content to ≤10% while maintaining lithium content at 2-5%. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance point where sufficient lithium content achieves high adsorption capacity while adequate aluminum compounds maintain material stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a stable composite structure where lithiated bayerite is combined with controlled amounts of aluminum hydroxide and boehmite. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by using the aluminum compounds as structural stabilizers that maintain material integrity while allowing high lithium content for enhanced adsorption capacity
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 proposed method achieves a high lithium adsorption capacity, with the product exhibiting enhanced performance in lithium capture and recovery, surpassing the limitations of existing materials.
Implementation Method 1
Lithium adsorbents, in particular lithiated bayerite, are materials advantageously used as an active material for obtaining the concentrated lithium solution within the extraction columns
Implementation Method 2
The use of lithium, especially in batteries, is constantly increasing. Brines are sources of lithium, for which extraction of said lithium is necessary. This extraction, or capture, can be carried out using columns filled with an active material, which selectively and reversibly captures lithium when the brine is in contact with it
Data Source
AI summary
A product includes water, and crystallites, at least a portion, preferably substantially all of the crystallites, including lithiated bayerite, the mean size of lithiated bayerite crystallites is 10 nm or more and 25 nm or less, and the product having a combined aluminum hydroxide and boehmite content of 10% or less, the product including at least the elements Li, Cl, Al, O and H, the elements Li, Cl and Al being present in the dry product in the following contents, determined by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, in weight percentages: −2%<Li<5%, 10%<Cl<26%, 15%<Al<30%.