Process and System for Lithium Extraction

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a process for recycling sorbent used in a process for extracting lithium from an aqueous solution containing lithium. The process may comprise bringing an aqueous solution containing lithium into contact with a hydrogen manganese oxide sorbent to absorb the lithium to produce a lithium loaded sorbent and lithium depleted solution, separating the lithium loaded sorbent and the lithium depleted solution, bringing the lithium loaded sorbent into contact with an acid to produce a lithium rich liquor and regenerated sorbent, separating the lithium rich liquor and the regenerated sorbent, treating the separated lithium rich liquor with a carbonate and/or hydroxide to precipitate manganese carbonate and/or manganese hydroxide, separating precipitated manganese carbonate and/or manganese hydroxide from the lithium rich liquor, and heating the manganese carbonate and/or manganese hydroxide with a source of lithium to produce a regenerated lithium loaded sorbent which is reused in the process. The disclosure also provides a system for recycling sorbent used in a process for extracting lithium from an aqueous solution containing lithium.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.