Method of extracting lithium from lithium-containing solution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for extracting lithium from brine and lithium-containing solutions using chemicals like sodium carbonate and phosphoric acid cause environmental pollution and incur high management and disposal costs, especially in high-altitude salt lake areas, due to the use of chemicals that require strict handling and disposal.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the crystallization and removal of sodium chloride from a lithium chloride solution using vacuum evaporation, followed by lithium chloride concentration through reverse osmosis and electrodialysis, and subsequent conversion to lithium hydroxide or carbonate, minimizing chemical use and reducing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional chemical methods (carbonation/phosphorylation) are used to extract lithium, then lithium extraction efficiency is improved, but environmental pollution and chemical management costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes harmful chemical substances (phosphoric acid, sodium carbonate) from the lithium extraction process. Instead of using these chemicals to precipitate lithium, the invention uses selective adsorption materials to directly capture lithium ions from the brine, eliminating the need for harmful chemical reagents and their subsequent disposal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful chemical waste stream into a beneficial process by using the brine's natural composition. The selective adsorption material targets only lithium ions, allowing other components (including sodium chloride) to remain in solution for potential reuse, thus converting what was chemical waste into a reusable resource
2Productivity
If conventional chemical methods are used for lithium extraction, then lithium recovery is improved, but chemical transportation and management costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for transporting and managing large quantities of chemicals (sodium carbonate, phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide) by replacing them with solid selective adsorption materials. This eliminates logistics costs associated with chemical transportation, storage, and handling while maintaining effective lithium recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adsorption materials that can be regenerated and reused multiple times, replacing the need for continuous chemical consumption. The adsorbents can be regenerated by simple washing or thermal treatment, making them more cost-effective than continuously purchasing and transporting fresh chemicals
3Productivity
If vacuum evaporation crystallization is used to remove sodium chloride, then sodium chloride removal efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through evaporation to concentrate and crystallize sodium chloride. By controlling the evaporation process, sodium chloride crystallizes out of solution while lithium remains in the liquid phase, achieving efficient separation through a natural phase change rather than requiring additional energy-intensive separation equipment
4Productivity
If reverse osmosis and electrodialysis are used for lithium chloride concentration, then lithium concentration efficiency is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lithium concentration process into two distinct stages: reverse osmosis for initial concentration and electrodialysis for final concentration. This segmentation allows each process to operate at its optimal efficiency range, with reverse osmosis handling bulk concentration and electrodialysis providing the final high-concentration product, making the overall complex process more manageable and efficient
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 method effectively extracts lithium while reducing environmental issues and costs by minimizing chemical usage, achieving process stability and expanding applicability to various fields, particularly lithium battery recycling, with a significant reduction in fresh water consumption.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining a lithium chloride solution from the lithium-containing solution using a lithium adsorbent
Implementation Method 2
crystallizing sodium chloride using vacuum evaporation crystallization
Implementation Method 3
crystallizing sodium chloride using vacuum evaporation crystallization
Implementation Method 4
concentrating lithium using reverse osmosis of the obtained lithium chloride solution
Implementation Method 5
concentrating the lithium chloride solution obtained by using electrodialysis
Data Source
AI summary
A method of extracting lithium from a lithium-containing solution according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: obtaining a lithium chloride solution from the lithium-containing solution; and crystallizing and removing sodium chloride in the obtained lithium chloride solution.