Lithium Battery Recycling Resin Column Without Chemical Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for recycling metals from lithium secondary batteries are inefficient and costly, requiring ion exchange resins that need frequent regeneration with chemicals, leading to environmental issues and increased treatment costs.
Innovation Solution
A method using an aluminum adsorption resin column with distilled water to adsorb and desorb aluminum from a lithium precursor solution, allowing for efficient recycling without the need for chemical regeneration, thus reducing environmental impact and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ion exchange resin is used to remove metal impurities, then metal removal efficiency is improved, but treatment cost and process complexity increase due to chemical regeneration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes aluminum impurities from the lithium precursor solution using a specifically designed aluminum adsorption resin column. The resin selectively adsorbs aluminum ions while allowing lithium ions to pass through, achieving efficient metal removal without requiring complex chemical regeneration processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The aluminum adsorption resin is designed to be replaced rather than regenerated. Instead of using expensive chemical regeneration processes, the patent employs a cost-effective approach where the resin column is discarded after reaching its adsorption capacity and replaced with a fresh column, eliminating the need for complex regeneration infrastructure.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If ion exchange resin regeneration is performed using chemicals, then resin reusability is improved, but environmental pollution and treatment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a disposable resin column approach where the aluminum adsorption resin is replaced after use rather than regenerated with chemicals. This eliminates the generation of harmful chemical waste while maintaining operational continuity through simple column replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the limitation of resin saturation into a benefit by designing a system where spent resin columns are easily replaced and disposed of. The simple replacement process avoids the complexity and environmental harm of chemical regeneration, turning what could be a waste problem into a straightforward operational procedure.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If acid or base is used for resin regeneration, then resin regeneration is achieved, but energy consumption and treatment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates energy-intensive chemical regeneration processes by using disposable resin columns. The low-energy approach involves simply replacing spent columns with fresh ones, avoiding the high energy consumption associated with heating, pumping, and processing large volumes of acid or base solutions.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If chemical substances are used in regeneration process, then resin regeneration is improved, but treatment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive disposable resin columns instead of expensive chemical regeneration processes. The cost-effective solution involves purchasing and replacing affordable resin columns rather than investing in and operating costly chemical regeneration systems, thereby reducing overall treatment costs.
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
The method enables eco-friendly metal recycling by maintaining the ion exchange capacity of the resin, reducing energy and chemical use, and facilitating continuous metal recovery from lithium secondary batteries.
Implementation Method 1
The lithium precursor aqueous solution passes through an aluminum adsorption resin column to adsorb aluminum to the aluminum adsorption resin column
Implementation Method 2
A first treatment liquid including distilled water into the aluminum adsorption resin column is injected at a flow rate of 100 L/hr to 1,200 L/hr to obtain a regenerated aluminum adsorption resin column from which aluminum is desorbed
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system for recycling a metal from a lithium secondary battery are provided. In the method for recycling a metal from a lithium secondary battery, a cathode active material mixture containing lithium is prepared. A lithium precursor is produced by reducing the cathode active material mixture. A lithium precursor aqueous solution is formed by dissolving the lithium precursor in water. The lithium precursor aqueous solution is passed through an aluminum adsorption resin column to adsorb aluminum to the aluminum adsorption resin column. A first treatment liquid including distilled water is injected into the aluminum adsorption resin column at a flow rate of 100 L/hr to 1,200 L/hr to obtain a regenerated aluminum adsorption resin column from which aluminum is desorbed.