Lithium Precursor Recovery From Cathode Washing Waste Streams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for recovering lithium precursors from waste solutions generated in the washing processes of positive electrode active materials in rechargeable lithium batteries face issues with environmental pollution due to the use of alkaline solutions and inefficiencies leading to lithium loss, requiring separate processes that do not achieve a 100% recovery rate.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the preparation of a first solution with lithium ions, a second solution from a waste solution, and a third solution by combining these, allowing for the extraction of lithium precursors without separate processes, thereby reducing environmental impact and improving recovery efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional methods use alkaline solutions for recovering lithium precursors, then lithium recovery can be achieved, but environmental pollution occurs due to heavy use of alkaline solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste solution containing lithium ions into a beneficial resource by using it as the primary source for lithium precursor recovery. The waste solution, which would otherwise be discarded, is now utilized to provide lithium ions for the recovery process, eliminating the need for fresh alkaline solutions and reducing environmental pollution while achieving lithium recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The waste solution serves itself by providing lithium ions for the recovery process. Instead of requiring external alkaline solutions to be added, the system uses the lithium-containing waste solution directly, making the process self-sufficient and reducing chemical consumption.
2Loss of substance
If conventional methods require separate processes for lithium precursor recovery, then recovery can be achieved, but economic issues arise due to the necessity of separate processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines waste solution treatment and lithium precursor recovery into a single process step. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate processes, reducing equipment requirements, operational complexity, and costs while maintaining effective lithium recovery.
3Loss of substance
If alkaline solutions are heavily used in the recovery process, then lithium precursor recovery can be achieved, but environmental pollution is induced by the by-product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste solution into a beneficial resource by using it as the source of lithium ions. This approach eliminates the need to add fresh alkaline solutions, thereby preventing the generation of additional harmful by-products while achieving effective lithium precursor recovery.
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 achieves high-purity lithium precursor recovery with reduced environmental pollution and economic benefits by minimizing the use of alkaline solutions and optimizing lithium retention, enabling the production of high-performance rechargeable lithium batteries.
Implementation Method 1
extracting the lithium precursor from the third solution
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of recovering lithium precursors, methods of preparing a positive electrode active materials, and rechargeable lithium batteries are provided. The method of recovering a lithium precursor comprises preparing a first solution that contains lithium ions, preparing a second solution by using a waste solution generated in a washing process of a positive electrode active material, preparing a third solution by introducing the second solution to the first solution, and extracting the lithium precursor from the third solution.