Lithium Precursor Regeneration Using CO2 Dry Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recycling lithium from lithium-containing waste materials are inefficient, resulting in low recovery rates and high impurity generation, particularly when recovering lithium from waste liquids after extracting cobalt and nickel.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a reactor with a non-oxidizing atmosphere, using carbon dioxide at elevated temperatures (600-1000°C) to regenerate lithium carbonate from lithium-containing waste mixtures, potentially with additional carbon dioxide, inert gases, or reductive materials, facilitating a high-yield and high-purity lithium precursor recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If wet extraction process is used to recover lithium from waste liquid, then lithium can be recovered, but recovery rate is excessively reduced and large amount of impurities are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction system by using organic solvents with specific properties (extractant concentration 0.5-2.0 mol/L, pH 2.0-4.0) to optimize lithium extraction efficiency and purity, resolving the contradiction between recovery rate and purity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces organic extractants as intermediary substances that facilitate selective lithium extraction from waste liquid, enabling high recovery rate and purity simultaneously by mediating the separation process between lithium and impurities
2Reliability
If expensive valuable metals are used for cathode active material, then high performance battery can be achieved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recycling process that recovers valuable metals (lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese) from waste cathode materials and regenerates them into reusable precursors, reducing the need for fresh raw materials and lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining battery performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a self-sustaining recycling system where waste cathode materials are converted back into precursors for new cathode materials, enabling the system to serve itself and reduce dependence on external expensive raw material inputs
3Productivity
If temperature raising treatment is performed at high temperature, then lithium carbonate production efficiency increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the temperature parameter within a specific range (600-1000°C) to achieve high lithium carbonate production efficiency while controlling energy consumption, balancing productivity and energy use through precise parameter control
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 the regeneration of lithium precursor with high efficiency and purity, reducing thermal energy requirements and preventing the formation of by-products, thus addressing the inefficiencies of existing recycling techniques.
Implementation Method 1
performing temperature raising treatment on the lithium-containing waste mixture and the carbon dioxide to produce lithium carbonate and a transition metal-containing mixture
Implementation Method 2
The reactor may have a non-oxidizing atmosphere
Implementation Method 3
performing temperature raising treatment on the lithium-containing waste mixture and the carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for regenerating a lithium precursor, a lithium-containing waste mixture is put into a reactor. An inside of the reactor is replaced with carbon dioxide. Temperature raising treatment is performed on the lithium-containing waste mixture and the carbon dioxide to produce lithium carbonate and a transition metal-containing mixture. The lithium precursor may be recovered with high yield and high efficiency through dry treatment using carbon dioxide.