Lithium Precursor Isolation by Gas Injection and Selective Precipitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for recycling lithium from used lithium secondary batteries are inefficient, resulting in reduced recovery ratios and the generation of numerous impurities.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for isolating lithium precursors involve mixing a preliminary precursor mixture containing lithium and transition metals with a precipitation liquid in a reactor, followed by the injection of a non-reactive gas to selectively dissolve lithium precursors and precipitate transition metal precursors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If wet extraction method is used to recover lithium from waste liquid, then lithium can be recovered, but recovery ratio is reduced and numerous impurities are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the recovery process into distinct stages: first recovering transition metals (Co, Ni, Mn) through selective precipitation, then recovering lithium from the remaining solution. This segmentation allows each metal to be recovered in its optimal form without cross-contamination, achieving high recovery ratios for both transition metals and lithium while minimizing impurity generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts transition metals from the waste liquid through selective precipitation using hydroxide or carbonate additives, separating them from the lithium-containing solution. This extraction step removes the harmful impurities (transition metals) before lithium recovery, enabling high-purity lithium recovery with minimal impurity carryover.
2Productivity
If traditional recycling methods are used, then processing can be performed, but efficiency is low and purity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes key process parameters including pH control during selective precipitation, temperature optimization for dissolution steps, and precise control of additive concentrations. These parameter changes enable rapid and complete separation of transition metals from lithium, significantly improving both processing efficiency and precursor purity for cathode material regeneration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical separation methods with chemical separation techniques, specifically using selective precipitation reactions to separate metals based on their different chemical properties. This substitution achieves faster separation with higher purity outcomes compared to mechanical methods.
3Loss of substance
If lithium is recovered from waste liquid after cobalt and nickel extraction, then recovery process can proceed, but recovery ratio is excessively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by completely removing transition metals (Co, Ni, Mn) through selective precipitation before proceeding to lithium recovery. This preliminary removal of interfering substances ensures that subsequent lithium recovery operates on a clean solution, maximizing lithium recovery ratio while maintaining manageable process complexity through clear sequential steps.
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 and high-purity isolation of lithium precursors, reducing impurity generation and improving recovery yields compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
A non-reactive gas is injected into the precursor mixture to selectively dissolve lithium precursors and precipitate transition metal precursors
Data Source
AI summary
A method for isolating a lithium precursor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes preparing a preliminary precursor mixture including a preliminary lithium precursor and a preliminary transition metal precursor, mixing the preliminary precursor mixture and a precipitation liquid in a reactor to form a precursor mixture, and injecting a non-reactive gas into the precursor mixture. Accordingly, the lithium precursor can be isolated with high yield and high efficiency.