Lithium Sorbent Column Cycling Without Intermediate Wash Stages
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium extraction processes from aqueous lithium salt-containing solutions are inefficient due to the need for frequent internal media recycle and wash stages, which reduce overall process efficiency and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
Configuring columns in a carousel or lead-lag configuration with three or more packed-bed columns, where at least two are at adsorption stages and one at a desorption stage, allowing direct transitions without intermediate washing stages, to maximize uptime and reduce cycle time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standalone columns with frequent internal media recycle and wash stages are used, then lithium extraction selectivity is maintained, but process efficiency and on-stream uptime decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the lithium extraction process into multiple independent column segments (typically 3-5 columns) that operate in different stages simultaneously. This segmentation allows one column to be in desorption while others are in adsorption, eliminating the need for shutdowns and wash stages, thereby maintaining selectivity while improving continuous productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The columns operate in periodic cycles of adsorption and desorption, with each column transitioning through stages in a coordinated sequence. This periodic action ensures that at least one column is always available for productive adsorption while others undergo desorption, maintaining extraction selectivity without interrupting overall process continuity
2Manufacturing precision
If internal media recycle and wash stages are implemented, then lithium product purity is improved, but cycle time and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-column system ensures continuous productive action by having columns in different operational stages simultaneously. While one column undergoes desorption, others continue adsorption without interruption, and the coordinated transitions eliminate idle wash stages, maintaining product purity while minimizing cycle time
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary column configuration where columns act as buffers between adsorption and desorption processes. This intermediary arrangement allows smooth transitions between stages without requiring wash stages, maintaining lithium product purity while reducing operational cycle time
3Quantity of substance
If multiple adsorption stages with media recycle are used, then lithium recovery completeness is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the lithium recovery process into multiple column units that can be configured in series or parallel arrangements. This modular segmentation achieves complete lithium recovery through coordinated operation of simpler individual columns, reducing overall operational complexity while maintaining recovery completeness
Solution Approach 2:
Each column in the system is designed to perform multiple functions across different operational stages (adsorption, desorption, and intermediate stages). This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized equipment for each stage, simplifying the overall device configuration while ensuring complete lithium recovery
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 configuration increases on-stream uptime and net lithium product flow, improving overall process efficiency and reducing costs by minimizing the impact of internal media recycle and wash stages.
Implementation Method 1
flowing said aqueous lithium salt-containing solution through said at least two of said three or more columns at a leading lithium chloride adsorption stage and a trailing lithium chloride adsorption stage to adsorb lithium chloride from the aqueous lithium salt-containing solution
Implementation Method 2
flowing a desorbent fluid through said at least one of said three or more columns at a lithium chloride desorption stage to desorb lithium chloride from the fully-saturated sorbent in a column
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The disclosed process relates to a process for selectively purifying a lithium product stream from an aqueous lithium salt-containing solution in a continuous mode, said process comprising the steps of: a) introducing said aqueous lithium salt-containing solution to an arrangement of three or more packed-bed columns in series each filled with a lithium selective sorbent, wherein at least two of said three or more columns are at an adsorption stage, with one at a leading lithium chloride adsorption stage and one or more at a trailing lithium chloride adsorption stage, and at least one of said three or more columns is simultaneously at a lithium chloride desorption stage; b) flowing said aqueous lithium salt-containing solution through said at least two of said three or more columns at a leading lithium chloride adsorption stage and a trailing lithium chloride adsorption stage to adsorb lithium chloride from the aqueous lithium salt-containing solution and respectively form a fully-saturated sorbent and a partially-saturated sorbent; c) flowing a desorbent fluid through said at least one of said three or more columns at a lithium chloride desorption stage to desorb lithium chloride from the fully-saturated sorbent in a column from a leading lithium chloride adsorption stage of a previous cycle in an eluate stream; and d) recovering a lithium product stream from the eluate stream, wherein when the lithium selective sorbent in said column at a leading lithium chloride adsorption stage is fully-saturated with lithium chloride, said column transitions directly to said lithium chloride desorption stage to desorb lithium chloride once appropriate void volume is displaced; said column at a trailing lithium chloride adsorption stage transitions directly to said leading lithium chloride adsorption stage for further adsorption of lithium chloride; and said column at a lithium chloride desorption stage transitions directly to said trailing lithium chloride adsorption stage for initial adsorption of lithium chloride once appropriate void volume is displaced; without any intermediate washing stages of the media between any of said transitions.