Spinel Sorbent Lattice for Selective Lithium Extraction From Brine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brine extraction methods for lithium are time-consuming and inefficient, often taking months or years, and struggle with separating lithium from compounds like magnesium due to their similar chemical properties.
Innovation Solution
A spinel sorbent compound with a cubic close-packed lattice structure that selectively adsorbs lithium ions while preventing the passage of other ions, utilizing a pH-driven reversible ion-exchange process to concentrate lithium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If solar evaporation ponds are used to separate lithium from brine, then lithium can be extracted from brine, but the process is time-consuming and may take several months or years
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spinel sorbent material with a porous cubic close-packed lattice structure that enables rapid lithium ion uptake. The porous structure allows lithium ions to diffuse into the material quickly, achieving high lithium concentration enrichment (1-100 times) in a fraction of the time required by traditional solar evaporation methods, thus resolving the contradiction between lithium extraction effectiveness and extraction time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of lithium extraction from passive solar evaporation to active ion exchange using a spinel sorbent. By utilizing the reversible ion exchange mechanism of the spinel structure, the extraction process is accelerated dramatically, reducing extraction time from months or years to a fraction of that time while maintaining high lithium concentration enrichment.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional brine extraction methods are used, then lithium can be separated from brine, but separating lithium from magnesium and other compounds is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The spinel sorbent exhibits local quality selectivity through its cubic close-packed lattice structure, which allows lithium ions to access ion exchange sites while blocking magnesium and other larger ions. The specific interplanar distances and tunnel structures create a size-selective environment that enables high-purity lithium separation from brine containing magnesium and other compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous spinel structure provides size-selective pores that allow lithium ions to penetrate and exchange at ion exchange sites while preventing magnesium and other larger cations from accessing these sites. This physical sieve effect within the porous lattice achieves high separation purity without requiring complex chemical processing.
3Productivity
If a sorbent with high ion exchange capacity is used, then lithium extraction efficiency increases, but the sorbent structure may degrade after multiple cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the reversible ion exchange mechanism of the spinel structure, where lithium ions can be exchanged and regenerated through controlled pH changes. This parameter change approach allows the sorbent to maintain its structural integrity while achieving high extraction efficiency over multiple cycles, as the spinel lattice remains stable under these conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The spinel sorbent is a composite material combining specific metal elements (such as Li, Mn, Ni, Co, Al, V, B, Mg) in a cubic close-packed lattice structure. This composite structure provides both high ion exchange capacity for lithium extraction and structural stability for repeated use, as the multi-element composition reinforces the lattice against degradation.
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 spinel sorbent enables rapid and efficient extraction of lithium from brines, achieving a lithium concentration enrichment factor of 1-100 relative to the original liquid, with stable chemical and thermal properties allowing multiple cycles of adsorption and desorption without structural degradation.
Implementation Method 1
the sorbent having ion exchange sites, each ion exchange site configured to reversibly ion-exchange a lithium ion
Implementation Method 2
the sorbent for adsorbing lithium ions from a liquid
Implementation Method 3
a cubic close packed (CPP) lattice defining a interplanar distance configured to allow passage of lithium ions through the interplanar distance and prevent passage of manganese through the interplanar distance
Data Source
AI summary
A spinel sorbent for adsorbing lithium ions from a liquid is provided. The sorbent has the general formula Li1 +xMn2−yM1m1M2m2 . . . MkmkO4+z, where M1, M2, . . . , Mk are cations different than lithium or manganese; m1, m2, . . . mk are each greater than or equal to 0; x can vary in the range of 0 and 1; y can vary in the range of −0.1 and 0.9; z can vary in the range of −2 and 1; where +m1+m2+ . . . +mk; and k is zero or a positive integer. The sorbent has a cubic close packed (CPP) lattice defining a interplanar distance y=x configured to allow passage of lithium ions through the interplanar distance and prevent passage of manganese through the interplanar distance; and has ion exchange sites configured to reversibly ion-exchange a lithium ion.