Lithium Hydride Separation Through Stirring and Controlled Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating lithium hydrides, such as lithium hydride, lithium deuteride, and lithium tritide, from a mixture in fusion reactors are inefficient, require corrosive solvents, and involve electrochemical cells that are time-consuming and costly, limiting their application in fusion power plants.
Innovation Solution
A method involving stirring and uniform cooling of a lithium mixture to specific temperatures to deposit and separate lithium hydrides, followed by extraction, without the need for solvents or electrochemical cells, allowing for faster and more efficient separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high-temperature molten mixed alkali metal halide salts are used as extraction solvent, then lithium hydrides can be separated, but the process becomes corrosive and volatile
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the harmful solvent system from the process entirely. Instead of using molten alkali metal halide salts, the patent employs a solvent-free extraction method where lithium hydrides are separated directly from the lithium blanket material through controlled cooling and phase separation, eliminating corrosion and volatility issues
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the chemical extraction system (solvents and electrochemical cells) with a physical separation method based on temperature-controlled phase changes. By cooling the lithium mixture to specific temperatures, lithium hydrides precipitate and can be separated mechanically, eliminating the need for corrosive chemical solvents
2Manufacturing precision
If electrochemical cells are used for separation, then lithium hydrides can be recovered, but the process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes phase transitions of lithium hydrides at specific temperatures to achieve rapid separation. By cooling the lithium mixture to predetermined temperatures, lithium hydrides undergo phase changes and precipitate out, allowing for quick mechanical separation without the time-consuming electrochemical processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary cooling of the lithium mixture to temperatures where lithium hydrides naturally precipitate before separation is needed. This pre-preparation of the separation conditions enables rapid extraction when required, eliminating the need for time-consuming electrochemical processing
3Manufacturing precision
If electrolytes are added to the lithium mixture, then electrochemical separation can occur, but the mixture composition must be altered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for electrolyte addition from the process. By using temperature-controlled phase separation instead of electrochemical methods, the patent maintains the original lithium mixture composition without requiring any additional chemical additives or complex electrolyte management systems
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 enables cost-effective and rapid separation of lithium hydrides, reducing the time and resource requirements, making it suitable for use in fusion power plants.
Implementation Method 1
a first cooling step adapted to cooling, preferably uniformly, the first mixture to a second temperature lower than the first temperature; the first stirring and cooling steps being adapted to deposit at least part of the first compound
Implementation Method 2
a first stirring step adapted to stirring the first mixture; the first stirring and cooling steps being adapted to deposit at least part of the first compound
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for separating lithium from a lithium mixture, the method comprising: —providing a first mixture (104) comprising lithium, lithium hydride, and at least a first compound among lithium deuteride and lithium tritide, the first mixture being at a first temperature: —a first stirring step (108) adapted to stirring the first mixture: —a first cooling step (110) adapted to cooling. preferably uniformly. the first mixture to a second temperature lower than the first temperature: the first stirring and cooling steps being adapted to deposit at least part of the first compound: and —a first separation step (116) adapted to separating at least the deposited first compound from the first mixture. forming a second mixture (118) comprising at least lithium and lithium hydride.