Lithium Hydroxide Recovery via Solid-Liquid Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for producing lithium hydroxide and sulfide solid electrolyte raw materials suffer from low recovery rates and high production costs, leading to inefficient production of sulfide solid electrolytes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the reaction of lithium carbonate and calcium hydroxide in a controlled liquid environment, followed by solid-liquid separation, allows for efficient recovery of lithium hydroxide from the liquid component and sulfide solid electrolyte raw materials from the solid component, optimizing water usage and reducing energy costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If lithium carbonate and calcium hydroxide are reacted in water to synthesize lithium hydroxide, then lithium hydroxide can be produced, but the recovery rate of lithium component is low because lithium is removed together with solid content during solid-liquid separation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the lithium-containing products into two distinct categories: lithium hydroxide in the liquid phase and lithium-containing sulfide solid electrolyte raw material in the solid phase. This segmentation allows different recovery paths for each product type, preventing lithium loss and improving overall recovery rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of lithium-containing products by controlling the reaction conditions. By adjusting the reaction parameters, lithium hydroxide remains in the liquid phase while lithium-containing sulfide forms as solid precipitate, enabling efficient separation and recovery of both products.
2Productivity
If multiple similar steps are assembled to increase lithium component recovery rate, then recovery rate improves, but manufacturing equipment becomes large and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The solid-liquid separation step serves multiple functions simultaneously: it separates lithium hydroxide in the liquid phase for recovery, collects lithium-containing sulfide in the solid phase as raw material, and removes unreacted calcium hydroxide. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate processing steps and reduces equipment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the solid content as waste, the invention recovers valuable lithium-containing sulfide from the solid phase. This transforms a waste stream into a useful product, improving recovery rate without requiring additional complex equipment.
3Productivity
If the amount of calcium hydroxide is increased to reduce unreacted lithium, then lithium conversion improves, but purchase cost increases due to increased lithium hydroxide usage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention recovers unreacted lithium carbonate from the solid content after separation. This allows the use of excess calcium hydroxide to drive the reaction to completion without increasing costs, as the unreacted lithium carbonate is recovered and can be reused or sold.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts what would normally be considered waste (unreacted lithium carbonate in solid content) into a recoverable resource. By recovering and reusing this material, the process achieves high conversion efficiency without increasing the amount of lithium hydroxide required.
4Productivity
If the amount of water is increased to improve lithium hydroxide recovery rate, then recovery rate improves, but energy cost for water removal in drying step increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the water content parameter in the reaction system. By controlling the water amount to be sufficient for dissolution but not excessive, the process achieves high lithium hydroxide recovery rate while minimizing the energy required for subsequent drying operations.
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 lithium hydroxide and sulfide solid electrolyte raw materials at lower costs, enhancing the overall production efficiency and reducing the need for extensive manufacturing equipment.
Implementation Method 1
reacting lithium carbonate with calcium hydroxide in a liquid to obtain a solution containing lithium hydroxide
Implementation Method 2
subjecting the solution to solid-liquid separation into a liquid component containing the lithium hydroxide and a solid component containing lithium derived from the lithium carbonate
Implementation Method 3
recovering the lithium hydroxide from the liquid component
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Provided is a method for producing lithium hydroxide, the method comprising: reacting lithium carbonate and calcium hydroxide in a liquid to obtain a solution containing lithium hydroxide; subjecting the solution to solid-liquid separation into a liquid component containing the lithium hydroxide and a solid component containing lithium derived from the lithium carbonate; and recovering lithium hydroxide from the liquid component.