Solid Electrolyte Membranes for Energy-Reclaiming Lithium Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional alkali metal extraction systems are inefficient, consuming excessive energy and generating toxic waste, with low ionic conductivity, durability, and scalability issues, leading to unsustainable energy demands and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing solid electrolyte membranes embedded in matrices for energy reclamation, where lithium ions are transported through a first membrane to an electrode and then to an electrolyte solution, recovering input energy and reducing carbon footprint, with the second membrane facilitating the transport of other ions to maintain energy balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional membrane options are used to separate and recover alkali metals, then the separation process can be performed, but the ionic conductivity is low and the membrane durability is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite membrane structures combining solid electrolyte particles with binder materials to achieve both high ionic conductivity and mechanical durability. The composite nature allows the solid electrolyte to provide ion transport pathways while the binder provides structural integrity and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters such as solid electrolyte particle size, binder content, and sintering conditions to simultaneously improve ionic conductivity and membrane durability. By controlling these parameters, the system achieves high ion transport efficiency while maintaining structural stability over time.
2Productivity
If conventional alkali metal extraction systems are used, then alkali metals can be separated from feed solution, but excessive energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers energy from the concentration gradient established during metal extraction and uses it to drive subsequent extraction processes. The solid electrolyte membranes enable spontaneous ion transport that generates electrical energy, which is then reused to power the extraction system, reducing external energy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes electrochemical phase transitions of metal ions between different oxidation states and locations (feed solution to membrane to electrode) to convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy during the extraction process, minimizing the need for external energy input.
3Productivity
If conventional extraction systems are used to meet increasing demand for alkali metals, then production capacity increases, but toxic waste streams increase and greenhouse gas emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical and chemical extraction methods with electrochemical processes using solid electrolyte membranes. This substitution eliminates the need for harsh chemicals and high-temperature processing, thereby preventing toxic waste generation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil fuel-powered extraction facilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the concentration gradient that would normally represent wasted potential into a useful energy source. The natural tendency of ions to move from high to low concentration regions is harnessed to generate electrical energy, turning what would be a thermodynamic loss into a beneficial energy recovery mechanism that reduces overall environmental impact.
4Strength
If membrane thickness is increased to improve durability, then membrane strength improves, but voltage drop increases and energy input requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite structures with conductive binders and optimized solid electrolyte distributions to maintain high ionic conductivity even in thicker membranes. The binder material provides both mechanical strength and ionic conduction pathways, allowing the membrane to be thicker for durability without proportionally increasing voltage drop.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates non-uniform distributions of solid electrolyte particles and binders within the membrane, concentrating ionic conduction pathways in specific regions to minimize overall resistance. This local optimization allows different parts of the membrane to serve different functions: some regions provide mechanical strength while others provide efficient ion transport.
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 approach enables nearly complete recovery of energy used in lithium extraction, reducing energy demands and environmental impact, while enhancing membrane durability and scalability, making the process more sustainable and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
lithium ions are transported from a feed solution to a first electrode through a first membrane comprising a first solid electrolyte embedded in a first matrix
Implementation Method 2
the lithium ions are transported from the first electrode to an electrolyte solution through the first membrane, wherein the transporting of the lithium ions from the first electrode to the electrolyte solution recovers at least a portion of the input energy
Implementation Method 3
a first membrane comprising a first solid electrolyte embedded in a first matrix
Data Source
AI summary
The presently disclosed concepts relate to ultra-efficient EV battery recycling systems. Alkali metal extraction (and in particular lithium extraction) is accomplished using a solid electrolyte membrane. By using a solid electrolyte embedded in a matrix, alkali metals, in particular lithium, can be (energy-wise) efficiently separated from feed solutions. The energy used to initially extract lithium from a feed solution is stored as electrochemical energy, which electrochemical energy is reclaimed in subsequent extraction processing steps. This energy storage and energy reclamation is performed in continuous ultra-efficient ongoing cycles. Since irrecoverable energy losses incurred in each cycle are limited to negligible amounts of joule heating of the system components and feed solution, the system can be sustainably powered using locally-generated renewable energy.