US 2020/0399735 A1 · LITHIUM EXTRACTION

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for lithium extraction from aqueous sources are described herein. Divalent ions are removed using staged membrane separation. The aqueous source is subjected to a solvent extraction process that extracts lithium. Aqueous and organic phases of streams produced by the solvent extraction process are separated using electrical and/or gas flotation separation. The solvent is de-complexed to unload lithium. Streams produced by the de-complexing may be subjected to electrical and/or gas flotation separation. Solvent de-complexing can be performed using an electrical separator. Aqueous streams are pH adjusted for return to the environment.

Claims24

Dependent claims

An apparatus, comprising:

a solvent contactor having a brine inlet at a first end of the solvent contactor, a solvent inlet at a second end of the solvent contactor opposite from the first end, a loaded solvent outlet at the first end of the solvent contactor, and a brine outlet at the second end of the solvent contactor;
an electrical separator comprising a vessel fluidly coupled to the loaded solvent outlet, the vessel having an electric field assembly disposed in an interior thereof and electrically coupled to a time-varying voltage power unit, a loaded solvent outlet in an upper portion thereof, and a brine outlet in a lower portion thereof;
and
an extractor fluidly coupled to the loaded solvent outlet of the electrical separator, the extractor having a loaded solvent inlet, an unloaded solvent outlet, and a slurry outlet, with a sulfuric acid source coupled to the extractor.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lithium extraction

Life of this patent

Lithium extraction

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24