Packed-Bed Lithium Purification Without Intermediate Wash Stages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium extraction processes from aqueous lithium salt-containing solutions are inefficient due to the need for multiple internal media recycle and wash stages, which reduce overall process efficiency and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
Configuring columns in a carousel or lead-lag configuration with three or more packed-bed columns, where at least two are at adsorption stages and one at a desorption stage, allowing direct transitions without intermediate washing stages, to maximize on-stream uptime and lithium product flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple internal media recycle and wash stages are used to maximize total concentration factor, then lithium purification performance is improved, but process efficiency and on-stream uptime deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The process is divided into multiple independent columns operating in parallel, with each column performing a specific function (adsorption or desorption). This segmentation allows continuous operation while eliminating the need for wash stages, as each column can be independently optimized for its function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between adsorption and desorption modes across different columns in a continuous cycle. Columns transition from adsorption to desorption and back again, maintaining continuous lithium extraction without interruption or wash stages, thereby improving both efficiency and uptime.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple internal media recycle and wash stages are implemented, then lithium product purity is improved, but on-stream uptime and net lithium product flow deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-column configuration ensures continuous useful action by having some columns always in adsorption mode while others are in desorption mode. This eliminates idle wash stages and maintains continuous lithium extraction, improving on-stream uptime without compromising product purity through the multi-stage adsorption process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary desorption in dedicated columns before returning media to adsorption service, ensuring that media are fully regenerated and ready for immediate use. This preliminary action eliminates the need for extended wash stages, maintaining both purity and uptime.
3Manufacturing precision
If standalone columns operating in parallel with multiple recycle stages are used, then lithium extraction performance is improved, but device complexity and process costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple columns are merged into a unified continuous operation system where adsorption and desorption occur simultaneously in different columns. This integration eliminates the need for complex recycle loops and wash stages, simplifying the overall device configuration while maintaining high extraction performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Each column is designed to perform multiple functions sequentially - serving as an adsorption column during one phase and a desorption column during another phase. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of specialized components needed, simplifying the overall system configuration.
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 configuration increases the overall process efficiency, reduces costs, and enhances the net flow of lithium product streams by minimizing the impact of internal media recycle and wash stages, while maintaining high separation performance.
Implementation Method 1
flowing said aqueous lithium salt-containing solution through said at least two of said three or more columns at a leading lithium chloride adsorption stage and a trailing lithium chloride adsorption stage to adsorb lithium chloride from the aqueous lithium salt-containing solution
Implementation Method 2
flowing a desorbent fluid through said at least one of said three or more columns at a lithium chloride desorption stage to desorb lithium chloride from the fully-saturated sorbent in a column
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed process relates to a process for selectively purifying a lithium product stream from an aqueous lithium salt-containing solution in a continuous mode, said process comprising the steps of: a) introducing said aqueous lithium salt-containing solution to an arrangement of three or more packed-bed columns in series each filled with a lithium selective sorbent, wherein at least two of said three or more columns are at an adsorption stage, with one at a leading lithium chloride adsorption stage and one or more at a trailing lithium chloride adsorption stage, and at least one of said three or more columns is simultaneously at a lithium chloride desorption stage; b) flowing said aqueous lithium salt-containing solution through said at least two of said three or more columns at a leading lithium chloride adsorption stage and a trailing lithium chloride adsorption stage to adsorb lithium chloride from the aqueous lithium salt-containing solution and respectively form a fully-saturated sorbent and a partially-saturated sorbent; c) flowing a desorbent fluid through said at least one of said three or more columns at a lithium chloride desorption stage to desorb lithium chloride from the fully-saturated sorbent in a column from a leading lithium chloride adsorption stage of a previous cycle in an eluate stream; and d) recovering a lithium product stream from the eluate stream, wherein when the lithium selective sorbent in said column at a leading lithium chloride adsorption stage is fully-saturated with lithium chloride, said column transitions directly to said lithium chloride desorption stage to desorb lithium chloride once appropriate void volume is displaced; said column at a trailing lithium chloride adsorption stage transitions directly to said leading lithium chloride adsorption stage for further adsorption of lithium chloride; and said column at a lithium chloride desorption stage transitions directly to said trailing lithium chloride adsorption stage for initial adsorption of lithium chloride once appropriate void volume is displaced; without any intermediate washing stages of the media between any of said transitions.