Spent Battery Salt Extraction Using LiOH Activator Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing amount of spent batteries from electric vehicles generates significant salt waste, and existing methods do not efficiently extract valuable metals like Mn, Co, Ni, and Li from these salt solutions, leading to environmental pollution.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the preparation of a salt solution from spent batteries, followed by the use of a metal extractant mixture containing a metal extractant and an activator with LiOH, to form a complex compound. This complex is then treated with acid to produce a metal salt, and the metal extractant activator and acid are recovered through electrodialysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional methods are used to treat spent batteries, then salt waste is generated, but valuable metals cannot be efficiently extracted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful salt waste solution into a valuable resource by extracting metals (Mn, Co, Ni, Li) from it. The salt solution that was previously discarded is now treated as a feedstock for metal recovery, transforming an environmental hazard into an economic opportunity through selective extraction processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a recovery system where valuable metals are extracted from the salt solution, and the metal extractants and acids are regenerated and reused. This closed-loop approach prevents both metal loss and salt waste accumulation by continuously recovering and reprocessing materials
2Productivity
If metal extractant mixture is used to extract metals from salt solution, then metal recovery efficiency is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the extraction process into distinct stages: metal extraction using extractant mixture, separation of complex compounds, acid treatment to release metals, and regeneration of extractants. Each stage is optimized independently, allowing complex metal recovery to be achieved through manageable sequential steps rather than a single complex operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metal extractants and acids as intermediary substances that facilitate metal transfer from salt solution to recoverable forms. These intermediaries enable selective metal extraction and simplify the overall process by providing clear chemical pathways for metal recovery without requiring direct complex separation methods
3Ease of repair
If electrodialysis is used to recover metal extractant activator and acid, then material recycling is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electrodialysis to change the electrical and chemical parameters of the salt solution, enabling selective recovery of metal extractant activators and acids. By applying electrical fields and controlling ion transport, the system recovers valuable materials with relatively low energy input compared to thermal or mechanical separation methods
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 effectively recovers valuable metals from salt solutions derived from spent batteries, minimizing salt waste and reducing environmental pollution, while also allowing for the recycling of metal extractants and acids.
Implementation Method 1
bringing the metal extractant mixture into contact with the salt solution to produce a complex compound of the metal extractant mixture and the metal
Implementation Method 2
bringing an acid into contact with the complex compound to produce a metal salt
Implementation Method 3
recovering each of the metal extractant activator and acid from the first supernatant through electrodialysis
Data Source
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AI summary
Proposed is a method of extracting a metal from a salt solution derived from a spent battery, the method including: 1) preparing a salt solution derived from a spent battery containing metal ions, the metal including any one of Mn, Co, Ni, and Li, or a combination thereof; 2) preparing a metal extractant mixture including a metal extractant and a LiOH-containing metal extractant activator; 3) bringing the metal extractant mixture into contact with the salt solution to produce a complex compound of the metal extractant mixture and the metal, and a first filiate; 4) recovering each of the complex compound and the first supernatant; 5) bringing an acid into contact with the complex compound to produce a metal salt, and a second supernatant; 6) recovering each of the metal salt and the second supernatant; and 7) recovering each of the activator and acid from the first supernatant through electrodialysis.