Lithium Recovery From Dilute Aqueous Sources Via Membrane Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective and efficient processes to recover lithium from dilute sources, as global lithium supplies are insufficient to meet growing demand, and existing methods are limited in concentrating and purifying lithium from low-concentration sources.
Innovation Solution
A method involving direct lithium extraction, followed by concentration and purification stages, utilizing lithium selective membranes and electrochemical separation processes, along with counter-flow reverse osmosis and evaporation techniques, to enhance lithium recovery from dilute aqueous sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If lithium extraction is performed from dilute brine sources using conventional methods, then lithium recovery is achieved, but the process is inefficient and cannot meet growing demand
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction process is divided into multiple sequential stages: initial extraction from dilute brine, concentration of lithium intermediate, and final purification. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific function, transforming an inefficient single-step process into a multi-stage system that achieves high productivity from dilute sources
Solution Approach 2:
A lithium intermediate stream is introduced as an intermediary between the dilute brine source and the final purified lithium product. This intermediate serves as a concentration bridge, allowing the system to handle the large volume of dilute brine efficiently before producing the concentrated final product
2Reliability
If conventional lithium extraction methods are used, then some lithium is recovered, but impurities are not effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The purification process is segmented into distinct stages: extraction stage, concentration stage, and purification stage. Each stage targets specific impurities at appropriate concentration levels, achieving high lithium purity through systematic separation rather than attempting single-step purification
Solution Approach 2:
The process utilizes parameter changes including pH adjustment, temperature control, and concentration variations across different stages to selectively precipitate and remove different types of impurities, achieving high purity through controlled chemical transformations
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 method significantly increases lithium concentration and purity, enabling efficient recovery from low-concentration sources, reducing impurities, and addressing the supply deficit by enhancing lithium extraction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
separating lithium using a lithium selective electrochemical separation process
Implementation Method 2
concentrating lithium using a concentration process comprising counter-flow reverse osmosis operation
Implementation Method 3
evaporation techniques, to enhance lithium recovery from dilute aqueous sources
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are methods of recovering lithium from dilute lithium sources. The methods include extracting lithium from an extraction feed using direct lithium extraction in an extraction stage to yield a lithium intermediate, performing one or more concentration operations, each concentration operation concentrating an input stream to yield an output feed, wherein the input stream is obtained from the lithium intermediate and/or the extraction feed is obtained from the output feed. At least one of the concentration operations includes a membrane separation operation having a plurality of reactors in series each having a semi-permeable membrane, such as a counter-flow reverse osmosis operation. Methods may also include generating a low TDS stream as a permeate from any of the one or more concentration operations, wherein the low TDS stream is recycled or used as fresh water.