Lithium Adsorption-Desorption Apparatus with Rotating Reaction Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for lithium recovery from seawater face inefficiencies due to low lithium concentration and challenges in effectively adsorbing and desorbing lithium from manganese oxide-based adsorbents, requiring large amounts of solutions and inefficient removal of residual desorption solutions.
Innovation Solution
A lithium adsorption-desorption apparatus with a movable reaction housing that immerses and rotates within reaction tanks, using a porous lithium adsorbent to enhance adsorption and desorption efficiency, and a system of cleaning and desorption baths to efficiently wash and concentrate lithium solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a lithium adsorbent is molded in a predetermined form, then the adsorbent can be effectively adsorbed and desorbed, but a large amount of residual desorption solution remains in the adsorbent during the desorption process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static adsorbent structure into a dynamic system. The adsorbent is designed with expandable and collapsible pores that can change their state based on the operational phase: expanded during adsorption to maximize lithium uptake, and collapsed during desorption to facilitate solution removal. This dynamic structural change allows the adsorbent to adapt its porosity to the specific operational requirement, resolving the contradiction between maintaining effective adsorption/desorption and minimizing residual solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the physical state of the adsorbent's pore structure. The pores transition between expanded and collapsed states, changing key parameters such as porosity, surface area, and volume. During adsorption, the expanded state provides high porosity and surface area for maximum lithium contact. During desorption, the collapsed state reduces these parameters, enabling more efficient removal of the desorption solution and reducing residual liquid in the adsorbent.
2Productivity
If a large amount of adsorbent is immersed in lithium-containing solution, then lithium adsorption is effective, but the desorption process becomes inefficient due to excessive residual solution
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic pore structure allows the adsorbent to change its configuration between adsorption and desorption phases. During adsorption, the expanded pores maximize the contact between the large amount of adsorbent and the lithium-containing solution, ensuring effective lithium uptake. During desorption, the collapsed pores reduce the solution-holding capacity, enabling faster and more efficient removal of the desorption solution, thus reducing the time required for the desorption process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the cyclic transformation of the adsorbent's pore state. The adsorbent alternates between expanded and collapsed states in a periodic manner corresponding to the adsorption-desorption cycles. This periodic structural transformation optimizes performance for each phase: expanded state for adsorption efficiency and collapsed state for desorption efficiency, thereby reducing the overall time required for complete desorption.
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 apparatus significantly improves lithium recovery efficiency by effectively adsorbing and desorbing lithium, removing contaminants, and concentrating desorption solutions, thereby increasing lithium production and reducing operational workload.
Implementation Method 1
methods such as ion exchange adsorption, solvent extraction, and co-precipitation have been studied
Implementation Method 2
lithium adsorption-desorption apparatus for more efficiently adsorbing or desorbing lithium by using a lithium adsorbent
Implementation Method 3
after being lifted, discharges residual solution from the lithium adsorbent by rotation movement
Implementation Method 4
the lithium ion recovering method using a manganese oxide-based inorganic adsorbent having ion exchange characteristics with extremely high selectivity
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a lithium adsorption-desorption apparatus including a plurality of reaction tanks arranged in a row; a guide rail disposed at an upper portion of the reaction tank; a movable driving unit coupled to a moving means that moves along the guide rail; and a reaction housing which is mounted to the driving unit, and can be vertically moved or rotated in a state in which the lithium adsorbent is fixed thereto, and after immersing in the reaction tank, accelerates adsorption or desorption of lithium, and after being lifted, discharges residual solution from the lithium adsorbent by rotation movement.Therefore, the lithium adsorption desorption apparatus can fix a large amount of lithium adsorbent and immerse it in a lithium-containing solution to effectively adsorb lithium and then quickly desorb lithium in a desorption solution, and can efficiently wash the lithium adsorbent in a cleaning solution.