Lithium Extraction Composite Membrane for Brine Stream Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lithium recovery methods from brines face challenges such as shortened lifetimes due to particle deterioration, instability from concentrated acids, and contamination from mixing of loading and regeneration streams, necessitating the need for materials with enhanced lithium uptake, selectivity, mechanical strength, and ease of integration.
Innovation Solution
A lithium extraction composite comprising a support coated with lithium-selective sorbent material, which includes a polymer or inorganic composition, allowing for selective lithium intercalation and extraction through a membrane system with controlled flow paths, preventing contamination and simplifying the processing steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If layered lithium aluminates are used in packed columns for lithium recovery, then lithium uptake capacity is improved, but particle lifetime is reduced due to gradual deterioration and disintegration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite material structure consisting of a porous support matrix (providing mechanical strength) combined with lithium-selective sorbent particles (providing lithium uptake capacity). This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve high lithium capacity and extended particle lifetime by distributing mechanical stresses across the robust support structure while maintaining the sorbent's selective absorption properties.
2Productivity
If concentrated acid is used to recover lithium from sorbent, then lithium extraction efficiency is improved, but material stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the stripping solution by using dilute acid (reduced concentration) combined with elevated temperature conditions. This parameter change allows lithium to be effectively extracted from the sorbent while maintaining the structural stability of the sorbent material, avoiding the degradation caused by concentrated acids.
3Productivity
If packed columns are used for extraction and regeneration, then lithium recovery is achieved, but stream mixing occurs causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the extraction and regeneration operations into spatially separated zones within the column system. By segmenting the process into distinct loading zones and stripping zones with controlled flow paths, the system prevents mixing between loading and regeneration streams, thereby eliminating contamination while maintaining efficient lithium recovery in both zones.
4Quantity of substance
If complex multi-step processing is used for lithium recovery, then recovery completeness is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple processing functions into an integrated column system where extraction, washing, and regeneration operations are merged into a unified process flow. By combining these steps into a single coordinated system with internal flow management, the patent achieves complete lithium recovery while reducing operational complexity compared to separate multi-unit processes.
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 composite exhibits exceptional lithium absorption capacity, mechanical resilience, and selectivity, facilitating easier integration of extraction and stripping steps, thereby reducing operational costs and improving recovery efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
lithium-selective sorbent material coated on at least one surface of the support
Implementation Method 2
selective lithium intercalation and extraction through a membrane system
Implementation Method 3
The support is porous to permit flow of liquid, and more particularly, to permit permeation of lithium
Implementation Method 4
selective lithium intercalation and extraction through a membrane system with controlled flow paths
Data Source
AI summary
A lithium extraction composite comprising: (i) a porous support and (ii) particles of a lithium-selective sorbent material coated on at least one surface of the support, wherein the support has a planar membrane, fiber (or rod), or tubular shape. A method for extracting and recovering a lithium salt from an aqueous solution by use of the above-described composition is also described, the method comprising (a) flowing the aqueous source solution through a first zone or over a first surface of the lithium extraction composite to result in selective lithium intercalation in the lithium-selective sorbent material in the first zone or first surface; and (b) simultaneously recovering lithium salt extracted in step (a) from said lithium-selective sorbent material by flowing an aqueous stripping solution through a second zone or over a second surface of the lithium extraction composite in which lithium ions from the first zone or first surface diffuse.