Midstream Liquid Pretreatment for Fouling-Resistant Lithium Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing midstream liquid resources for metal extraction, particularly lithium, are challenged by the presence of impurities and chemicals introduced during oil and gas extraction processes, which lead to fouling, chemical interactions, and degradation of sorbents and membranes, reducing the efficiency and lifespan of extraction systems.
Innovation Solution
A multi-step treatment regimen involving biocides, oxidizers, flocculants, filtration methods, and sorbent compositions like lithium manganese oxide (LMO) and lithium manganese oxide-type lithium ion-sieve (LIS) is applied to pre-treat the midstream liquid resources, followed by critical material extraction using ion exchange, adsorption, and membrane-based separation to enhance lithium recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional pre-treatment chemicals and processes are applied to midstream liquid resources, then impurities are removed to some extent, but fouling, chemical interactions, and degradation of sorbents and membranes occur, reducing extraction efficiency and system lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a comprehensive pre-treatment regimen that includes biocide application, oxidation, flocculation, and multi-stage filtration before the liquid resource contacts the sorbent or membrane. This pre-treatment removes impurities, kills bacteria, and prevents fouling before extraction, thereby protecting the sorbent and membrane from degradation while maintaining extraction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing multiple treatment chemicals and processes as intermediaries between the raw midstream liquid resource and the extraction system. Biocides, oxidizers, flocculants, and filter media act as intermediaries that progressively clean and condition the liquid, preventing direct harmful interactions between impurities and the sorbent/membrane while enabling effective extraction.
2Productivity
If multiple treatment steps are applied to remove impurities, then extraction efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the treatment process into distinct sequential stages: biocide application, oxidation, flocculation, and multiple filtration steps with different media. Each stage targets specific impurities and prepares the liquid for the next stage, ultimately protecting the extraction system. This segmented approach improves extraction efficiency while organizing complexity into manageable, functionally distinct modules.
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 effectively removes impurities and enhances lithium extraction efficiency by achieving turbidity and iron content below specific thresholds, concentrating lithium to 100-500 ppm, and optimizing the performance of extraction systems.
Implementation Method 1
The biocide applied to the midstream liquid resource comprises at least one of an oxidizer, glutaraldehyde, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATs), DBNPA (2,2-Dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide), or THPS (Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate)
Implementation Method 2
applying an oxidizer such as hydrogen peroxide, ozone, bubbled oxygen, nanobubbled oxygen, carbon dioxide (CO2), aeration, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite, peracetic acid, potassium permanganate, or calcium hypochlorite to the midstream liquid resource
Implementation Method 3
applying at least one of a polyacrylamide (PAM), polyethyleneimine, polyamines, polyDADMAC (polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride), starch-based flocculants, chitosan, or other organic or inorganic flocculants
Implementation Method 4
Precipitated, emulsified, or flocculated solids are removed using media filtration, cartridge filters, bag filters, disc filters, membrane filtration, activated carbon, DAF, SAF, a weir tank, or a settling tank
Implementation Method 5
exposing the pre-treated fluid to a sorbent composition for a contact time, wherein the sorbent composition is one or more of a lithium manganese oxide (LMO), a lithium manganese oxide (LMO)-type lithium ion-sieve (LIS), a titanate sorbent, or an aluminate sorbent
Implementation Method 6
altering the cationic or anionic constituency using a media bed, ion-exchange process, or ceramic/polymeric membrane filtration
Implementation Method 7
membrane filtration, activated carbon, dissolved air flotation (DAF), suspended air flotation (SAF)
Implementation Method 8
dissolved air flotation (DAF), suspended air flotation (SAF)
Implementation Method 9
Precipitated, emulsified, or flocculated solids are removed using media filtration, cartridge filters, bag filters, disc filters, membrane filtration, activated carbon, DAF, SAF, a weir tank, or a settling tank
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a system and method for enhancing the extraction of lithium from a liquid resource. A volume of midstream-liquid resource may be received from a site like a pipeline, tank, or disposal site where the midstream-liquid resource may undergo a pre-treatment. A treatment regimen may be applied to remove hydrocarbons, organic matter, hydrogen sulfide, ions, and suspended solids along with reduction of excess pre-treatment chemicals and byproducts. Embodiments may further include critical-material extraction. The system for this process includes a pre-treatment station, a filtration station, and a direct-lithium-extraction (DLE) unit, with a reverse-osmosis station to concentrate the lithium product.