Nickel Lithium Co-Extraction Process Using Mixed Extractants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting nickel and lithium from lithium-ion battery waste streams are inefficient, time-consuming, and environmentally unfriendly, often requiring multiple stages and excessive solvents, leading to low recovery rates and high waste production.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a continuous loop system with alkaline agents and selective extractants to adjust pH and extract nickel and lithium from a Nickel(II)/Lithium(I) solution, using oximes or carboxylic acids as extractants, and carbonation agents to produce lithium salts, allowing for efficient and cost-effective recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-stage co-extraction is used to recover multiple materials, then nickel and lithium can be extracted simultaneously, but the process requires four co-extraction stages and six total steps making it very time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines nickel and lithium extraction into a single co-extraction stage using a mixed extractant system comprising both nickel-selective extractant (e.g., LIX 63) and lithium-selective extractant (e.g., PC-88A). This merging of extraction functions into one stage eliminates the need for multiple sequential stages, directly resolving the contradiction by maintaining material recovery capability while dramatically reducing process time and steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixed extractant system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it extracts both nickel and lithium in one operation, and can be adjusted to control the ratio of metals extracted. This multi-functional extractant system replaces the need for separate extraction stages for different metals, reducing the overall number of steps while maintaining extraction effectiveness.
2Manufacturing precision
If different solvents are used during each co-extraction step, then selective extraction of different metals is achieved, but the amount of solvent needed is monetarily expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple extractant functions into a single mixed extractant system that contains both nickel-selective and lithium-selective components. This unified extractant performs the work of multiple separate solvents, reducing the total volume of solvent required while maintaining the selectivity needed for differential metal extraction. The mixed system eliminates the need to use large volumes of different solvents in sequential steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the extraction process by adjusting parameters such as pH and the ratio of extractants in the mixed system, rather than relying on large volumes of different solvents. By changing the pH to specific ranges and adjusting the extractant composition, the process achieves selective extraction with reduced solvent consumption, directly addressing the contradiction between selectivity and solvent quantity.
3Productivity
If current extraction methods use various oxidizers, then metal extraction is achieved, but a large amount of waste is generated requiring clean up time and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful acid leaching process into a beneficial alkaline co-extraction process. Instead of using oxidizers that generate harmful waste, the process uses alkaline conditions with mixed extractants to directly extract metals in a cleaner manner. This transforms the extraction method from one that creates waste problems into one that minimizes waste generation while maintaining extraction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical oxidation mechanism with a solvent extraction mechanism based on complexation chemistry. Instead of relying on oxidizers to dissolve metals, the process uses organic extractants that form soluble complexes with metal ions under alkaline conditions. This substitution eliminates the need for strong oxidizers and their associated waste streams, achieving efficient extraction without harmful byproducts.
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 enables virtually complete recovery of nickel and lithium in a time-efficient and cost-effective manner, reducing waste and operational steps, and producing high-purity materials for recycling or reuse.
Implementation Method 1
treating the Ni2+/Li+ solution with an alkaline agent to adjust the pH of the Ni2+/Li+ solution to between about 1.0 and about 10.0
Implementation Method 2
treating the Ni2+/Li+ solution with a nickel selective extractant, the nickel selective extractant being suitable to extract nickel from the Ni2+/Li+ solution at the pH
Implementation Method 3
treating the Li+ solution with a carbonation agent to produce lithium salt
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are processes for extracting nickel and lithium from a Ni2+/Li+ solution. The process for extracting nickel and lithium includes providing a Ni2+/Li+ solution comprising an amount of lithium and an amount of nickel, treating the Ni2+/Li+ solution with an alkaline agent to adjust the pH of the Ni2+/Li+ solution to between about 1.0 to about 10.0, and treating the Ni2+/Li+ solution with a nickel selective extractant, the nickel selective extractant suitable to extract nickel from the Ni2+/Li+ solution at said pH to thereby produce a Li+ solution with less than 1000 parts per million Ni2+. Once complete, the process provides for recoverable nickel and/or lithium that may be recycled into batteries or sold for other uses.