Lithium Hydroxide Production via Organic Acid Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing lithium hydroxide require significant energy consumption and lack efficient reuse of by-products, such as potassium acetate and sodium acetate, and face challenges in processing low-grade lithium sources from aqueous solutions like salt water, which are energy-intensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the reaction of lithium carbonate with an organic acid like acetic acid and water to produce an organic acid lithium solution, followed by mixing with a metal hydroxide to generate lithium hydroxide, with the regenerated organic acid being reused through an electrochemical device, reducing energy consumption and improving production efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional electrolysis using an ion exchange membrane is used to produce lithium hydroxide from low-grade lithium sources, then lithium can be obtained, but a large amount of energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an organic acid (acetic acid) as an intermediary substance to facilitate lithium extraction. The organic acid reacts with lithium carbonate to form soluble lithium acetate, which then reacts with calcium hydroxide to precipitate calcium acetate and release lithium hydroxide. This intermediary approach avoids direct electrolysis of low-grade lithium sources, significantly reducing energy consumption while enabling efficient lithium recovery from salt water and other low-grade sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the system by using organic acid to convert insoluble or low-solubility lithium compounds into soluble lithium salts, then using selective precipitation reactions. This parameter change approach allows low-grade lithium sources to be processed efficiently without the high energy input required by conventional electrolysis methods
2Quantity of substance
If conventional electrolysis using an ion exchange membrane is used to produce lithium hydroxide, then lithium can be obtained, but the production process is inefficient and lacks by-product reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers and reuses by-products that would otherwise be discarded. Calcium acetate precipitate is filtered and can be processed further, and the organic acid is regenerated in the reaction process. This recovery approach improves production efficiency by converting waste streams into useful materials, creating a more sustainable and economically viable production process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a continuous production cycle where organic acid reacts with lithium carbonate, the resulting mixture reacts with calcium hydroxide, and the organic acid is regenerated and reused. This continuous action eliminates idle time and maximizes production efficiency, allowing the system to operate continuously with high productivity
3Manufacturing precision
If dehydration steps such as heating and concentration are used to obtain lithium hydroxide, then pure lithium hydroxide can be obtained, but a large amount of energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of calcium acetate from soluble to insoluble form through chemical reaction, allowing separation by filtration without heating or concentration. The calcium acetate precipitates out of solution naturally, enabling high-purity lithium hydroxide recovery through simple filtration and washing, completely eliminating the need for energy-intensive dehydration steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/thermal separation methods (heating, evaporation, concentration) with a chemical separation method based on selective precipitation. By using calcium hydroxide to precipitate calcium acetate, the system achieves high-purity lithium hydroxide separation through filtration alone, substituting energy-intensive thermal processes with a low-energy chemical reaction approach
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 approach enables the efficient production of high-purity lithium compounds from low-grade lithium carbonate with reduced energy consumption and waste, effectively addressing the inefficiencies in existing methods by utilizing organic acids for improved reactivity and recycling.
Implementation Method 1
an organic acid, which is regenerated by using an electrochemical device from an organic acid metal by-produced by producing the aqueous lithium hydroxide solution
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a lithium compound, by which a high purity lithium compound can be produced from low-grade lithium carbonate containing impurities, such as salt water. The method includes: mixing lithium carbonate, an acid containing an organic acid, and water in a reaction tank 1 to produce an aqueous organic acid lithium solution containing an organic acid lithium; mixing the organic acid lithium and a metal hydroxide in a reaction tank 2 to produce an aqueous lithium hydroxide solution; and returning an organic acid, which is regenerated by using an electrochemical device from an organic acid metal by-produced by producing the aqueous lithium hydroxide solution to the reaction tank 1 and using the regenerated organic acid as the organic acid. An apparatus for producing a lithium compound, including the reaction tank 1, the reaction tank 2, the electrochemical device, and a return pipe, which each have a specific function.