Membrane-Stacked Electrolytic Bath for Faster Lithium Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lithium extraction methods from salt lakes suffer from low extraction rates due to issues such as large electrode spacing, insufficient brine flow, and poor solution mass transfer, particularly in electrochemical intercalation/deintercalation processes.
Innovation Solution
A membrane-stacked electrolytic bath with a modular design, featuring a positioning supporting plate, compressing plates, rubber gaskets, and electrochemical intercalation/deintercalation units, which are sealed and arranged in an overlapped manner to reduce electrode spacing and enhance solution distribution, using anode and cathode plates coated with specific active substances and anion permselective membranes to improve lithium extraction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional electrolytic bath design is used, then device structure is simple, but electrode spacing is large leading to low lithium extraction rate
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolytic bath is divided into multiple compartments separated by membranes, creating a stacked modular structure. This segmentation reduces electrode spacing within each compartment while maintaining overall system simplicity through standardized modular units that can be assembled in series.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where membranes are positioned between electrode pairs, and multiple electrode-membrane assemblies are stacked within the bath. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of space, reducing electrode spacing without requiring a completely complex new design.
2Productivity
If brine flow is insufficient, then device structure is simple, but solution mass transfer effect is poor leading to low extraction rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates flow distribution plates with specifically designed hole patterns at strategic locations to enhance solution mass transfer. These localized flow enhancement features are positioned where mass transfer is most critical, improving extraction rate without requiring complete redesign of the entire flow system.
3Use of energy by moving object
If electrode spacing is large, then device structure is simple, but solution resistance is high leading to high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-plane electrode arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration with membranes creating multiple layers. This dimensional change reduces the effective electrode spacing in the vertical dimension, lowering solution resistance and power consumption while maintaining structural simplicity through modular stacking.
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 design achieves a higher lithium extraction rate, reduces power consumption, and ensures energy-saving extraction by minimizing water leakage, reducing solution resistance, and enhancing reaction rates through uniform solution distribution.
Implementation Method 1
anion permselective membranes
Implementation Method 2
anion permselective membranes
Implementation Method 3
electrochemical intercalation/deintercalation
Implementation Method 4
electrochemical intercalation/deintercalation
Implementation Method 5
water distribution plates
Data Source
AI summary
A membrane-stacked electrolytic bath for lithium extraction from salt lakes by electrochemical intercalation/deintercalation includes a positioning supporting plate as well as a first compressing plate, a first rubber gasket, at least one electrochemical intercalation/deintercalation unit, a second rubber gasket, and a second compressing plate which are sequentially arranged in an overlapped manner; a compressing apparatus for abutting against the second compressing plate is arranged on one side of the second compressing plate to enable peripheral edges of the first compressing plate, the first rubber gasket, the electrochemical intercalation/deintercalation unit, the second rubber gasket, and the second compressing plate to be sealed; the first compressing plate is provided with water outlet pipes communicated with the electrochemical intercalation/deintercalation unit; and the second compressing plate is provided with water inlet pipes communicated with the electrochemical intercalation/deintercalation unit.