Lithium Extraction via Phosphate Precipitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium extraction methods from brine are inefficient and costly due to the need for long-term evaporation and concentration processes, leading to low extraction yields and environmental pollution, especially when extracting from seawater with low lithium concentrations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the addition of a phosphorous supplying material to precipitate lithium phosphate from brine, allowing for high-purity lithium extraction without the need for extensive evaporation and concentration, using phosphorous, phosphoric acid, or phosphate to achieve concentrations above 0.39g/L, and optionally removing impurities with hydroxyl ions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium is extracted from brine using conventional evaporation and concentration methods, then lithium can be obtained, but the process requires extremely long time (about one year) and low productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter by using phosphate instead of carbonate as the precipitating agent. This parameter change transforms the precipitation reaction kinetics, enabling rapid lithium extraction from brine without requiring long-term evaporation and concentration processes, thus resolving the contradiction between extraction yield and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces phosphate as an intermediary substance that mediates the extraction process. Phosphate acts as a bridging agent that rapidly precipitates lithium from brine solution, replacing the slow natural evaporation process and achieving high productivity while maintaining high extraction yield
2Productivity
If lithium carbonate is used for precipitation, then lithium can be extracted, but the extracted lithium carbonate re-dissolves due to high solubility (13g/L), resulting in extremely low extraction yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by substituting carbonate with phosphate. This parameter change fundamentally alters the solubility characteristics of the precipitate, producing lithium phosphate with much lower solubility than lithium carbonate, thereby preventing re-dissolution and achieving high extraction yield
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable precipitating agent (phosphate) that creates an irreversible precipitation effect. The lithium phosphate precipitate, being highly insoluble, remains stable and does not re-dissolve, effectively making the extraction process complete and efficient without needing repeated operations
3Quantity of substance
If conventional evaporation ponds are used for concentration, then lithium concentration increases, but the process is time-consuming and unproductive during rainy seasons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical evaporation system with a chemical precipitation system. Instead of relying on solar evaporation and natural concentration processes that take months or years, the chemical method using phosphate enables rapid lithium concentration and precipitation within hours or days, eliminating weather dependency and significantly reducing time loss
4Quantity of substance
If minerals such as spodumene are processed for lithium extraction, then relatively large amounts of lithium (1-1.5%) can be obtained, but the processes require high energy consumption and cause environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the extraction approach from high-energy thermal processing (calcining at high temperature) to low-energy chemical precipitation. By using phosphate to precipitate lithium directly from brine solution, the process avoids high-temperature treatments and complex mechanical processing steps, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective lithium recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful effect of using acids (which cause environmental pollution) into a beneficial chemical precipitation process. By using phosphate instead of acids, the method achieves effective lithium extraction without the harmful environmental side effects, turning a potentially polluting process into an environmentally friendly one
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 economical and efficient extraction of lithium with high yield by precipitating lithium phosphate, reducing environmental impact and eliminating the need for lengthy concentration processes, while maintaining high purity and minimizing lithium loss with impurities.
Implementation Method 1
adding a phosphorous supplying material to the solution to precipitate lithium phosphate from the dissolved lithium
Implementation Method 2
removing impurities with hydroxyl ions
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of extracting lithium from a lithium bearing solution. More specifically, the present invention provides a method of economical extraction of lithium from a lithium bearing solution by adding a phosphorous supplying material to the solution to precipitate lithium phosphate from the dissolved lithium.