Lithium Elution Split Flow for Higher Concentration Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing lithium-containing solutions using λ-MnO2 adsorbents face limitations in suppressing the amount of solution used post-eluting step and production costs due to the addition of acid to the entire eluted solution.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an adsorption step with lithium manganese oxide, an eluting step to separate high and low concentration lithium-eluted solutions, and a manganese oxidation step with controlled acid addition, along with a water washing step to recover lithium from the washing liquid, optimizing lithium content and reducing solution usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If acid is added to the whole amount of eluted solution to adjust hydrogen ion concentration, then the hydrogen ion concentration is properly adjusted, but the amount of solution used in the process after the eluting step cannot be suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The eluted solution is divided into two parts: a first eluted solution and a second eluted solution. Acid is added only to the second eluted solution to adjust its hydrogen ion concentration, while the first eluted solution is used as-is. This segmentation allows selective acid addition to suppress the total amount of solution used in subsequent processes while still achieving proper hydrogen ion concentration adjustment where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the eluted solution receive different treatments: the first eluted solution is used without acid addition, while the second eluted solution receives acid addition for hydrogen ion concentration adjustment. This local differentiation optimizes the balance between solution quantity and concentration control in different process stages.
2Ease of manufacture
If acid is added to adjust hydrogen ion concentration, then the eluting process works properly, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding acid to the entire eluted solution, acid is added only to the second eluted solution (partial action). This reduces the total amount of acid required and consequently reduces production costs, while still maintaining sufficient hydrogen ion concentration for effective eluting in the portions where it is applied.
3Productivity
If the eluted solution is used as-is without separation, then the process is simple, but the lithium content rate in the solution after eluting step is low
Solution Approach 1:
The eluted solution is segmented into a first eluted solution and a second eluted solution. The first eluted solution, which has higher lithium content, is used directly in subsequent processes without acid addition, thereby increasing the lithium content rate in the solution after the eluting step. This segmentation approach improves productivity while maintaining reasonable process complexity.
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
Enhances lithium content rate and reduces the amount of solution used, thereby lowering production costs and facilitating efficient lithium recovery.
Implementation Method 1
λ-MnO2 having a spinel type structure obtained by bringing lithium manganese oxide into contact with mineral acid is known to selectively adsorb lithium
Implementation Method 2
λ-MnO2 to collect lithium, since the λ-MnO2 does not adsorb impurities
Implementation Method 3
an eluting step of bringing the post-adsorption lithium manganese oxide into contact with an acid-containing solution to obtain an eluted solution
Implementation Method 4
a manganese oxidation step of oxidating manganese by adding an oxidant and a pH adjuster to the eluted solution to obtain a lithium-containing solution with a suppressed manganese concentration
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for producing a lithium-containing solution that allows suppressing production cost for lithium production by increasing a lithium content rate in a solution after an eluting step, and suppressing amount of a solution used in a process after the eluting step. The method for producing a lithium-containing solution includes an adsorption step, an eluting step of bringing post-adsorption lithium manganese oxide into contact with an acid-containing solution to obtain an eluted solution, and a manganese oxidation step performed in this order. The eluted solution is separated into a high concentration lithium-eluted solution and a low concentration lithium-eluted solution. The acid-containing solution includes a solution prepared by adding acid to the low concentration lithium-eluted solution. With this aspect, since only the low concentration lithium-eluted solution is added to the acid-containing solution, a hydrogen ion concentration in the acid-containing solution can be increased by adding just a small amount of acid, which consequently allows suppressing amount of the acid-containing solution and allows suppressing amount of the eluted solution used in the manganese oxidation step.