Magnesium Hydroxide Precipitation for Boron Adsorption in Lithium Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting magnesium, boron, and calcium from lithium bearing solutions to produce high purity lithium are inefficient, leading to significant lithium loss and require expensive ion-exchange resins and chemicals, causing environmental pollution and uncontrolled pH issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the addition of an alkali to precipitate magnesium hydroxide, adjusting the pH to 8.5-10.5 to absorb boron ions, and filtering to extract magnesium and boron, followed by precipitating calcium hydroxide or carbonate, minimizing lithium loss and avoiding the use of expensive resins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ion-exchange resin method is used to extract boron, then boron extraction is achieved, but the process becomes expensive and complex requiring substantial amounts of chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive ion-exchange resin with a simple alkali solution (cheap, easily replaceable reagent) to achieve boron extraction. The alkali precipitates magnesium hydroxide which adsorbs boron, and this simple system can be easily refreshed without complex regeneration processes required for resins
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts boron from the lithium bearing solution by using magnesium hydroxide precipitation. The boron is taken out along with magnesium hydroxide through adsorption, and both are removed together by filtration, simplifying the extraction process
2Reliability
If excessive alkali is added to precipitate magnesium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide, then magnesium and calcium extraction is improved, but lithium loss increases due to negative charge buildup on precipitate surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the pH parameter during the process. By maintaining pH in the range of 9-11, the patent ensures magnesium hydroxide precipitation while preventing excessive negative charge buildup that would cause lithium adsorption. This precise parameter control resolves the contradiction between extraction efficiency and lithium loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a controlled amount of alkali (partial action) rather than excessive alkali. The alkali is added in sufficient quantity to precipitate magnesium hydroxide effectively but in controlled amounts to avoid over-precipitation and excessive negative surface charges that would lead to lithium loss
3Reliability
If conventional separate extraction methods are used for magnesium, boron, and calcium, then each impurity can be extracted, but the process becomes time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the extraction of magnesium, boron, and calcium into a single integrated process. By adding alkali to precipitate magnesium hydroxide and controlling pH to adsorb boron onto the precipitate, and subsequently precipitating calcium hydroxide, all three impurities are extracted simultaneously in one操作流程, greatly improving productivity while maintaining complete extraction
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 effectively extracts magnesium, boron, and calcium while minimizing lithium loss and reducing costs, achieving high purity lithium compounds without environmental pollution, by controlling pH and surface charges to prevent lithium absorption.
Implementation Method 1
adding an alkali to the lithium bearing solution to precipitate magnesium hydroxide
Implementation Method 2
absorbing boron ions onto the surface of the magnesium hydroxide by adjusting the pH
Implementation Method 3
simultaneously extracting magnesium and boron by filtering the magnesium hydroxide having the absorbed boron ions
Implementation Method 4
precipitating calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate by adding an alkali or a carbonate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of economical extraction of magnesium, boron and calcium, while minimizing the loss of lithium, from a lithium bearing solution. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for economical extraction of magnesium, boron, and calcium, while minimizing the loss of lithium, from a lithium bearing solution comprising the steps of: (a) adding an alkali in the lithium bearing solution to precipitate magnesium hydroxide; (b) absorbing boron ions on the surface of the magnesium hydroxide by adjusting the pH to about 8.5 to about 10.5; and (c) simultaneously extracting magnesium and boron by filtering the magnesium hydroxide absorbed with the boron ions from the lithium bearing solution.