A lithium extraction process through decoupled electrochemical processes
AssigneeKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology
InventorsZhiping LAI, Zhen LI
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a system and method for enriching lithium (Li) from seawater and other low-grade lithium resources and eventually leading to the extraction of lithium from these resources. More particularly, the method involves decoupled electrochemical adsorptive and releasing processes using lithium selectively adsorptive/releasing electrode pair, and the two processes are interconnected through an oxidative/reductive electrode pair to transport lithium from the lithium extraction compartment to the lithium collection compartment.
Claims32
A method for extraction of lithium from lithium containing fluids comprising:
- (a) immersing a lithium adsorptive electrode and a reductive electrode in a lithium extraction chamber including a lithium containing fluid;
- (b) immersing a lithium releasing electrode and an oxidative electrode in a lithium collection chamber including a lithium collection fluid;
- (c) connecting the lithium adsorptive electrode to a negative port of a power supply and the lithium releasing electrode to a positive port of the power supply;
- (d) connecting the oxidative electrode and the reductive electrode through electrical wires;
- and
- (e) applying voltage to the lithium adsorptive electrode and the lithium releasing electrode sufficient for the lithium adsorptive electrode to adsorb lithium from the lithium containing fluid and the lithium releasing electrode to release lithium to the lithium collection fluid, wherein the lithium adsorptive electrode functions as a cathode and the lithium releasing electrode functions as an anode;
- and wherein the reductive electrode is reduced, and the oxidative electrode is oxidized.
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A system for extraction of lithium from lithium containing fluid comprising,
- a lithium extraction chamber including a lithium containing fluid;
- a lithium collection chamber including a lithium collection fluid;
- a lithium adsorptive/releasing electrode pair including a lithium adsorptive electrode and a lithium releasing electrode;
- wherein the lithium adsorptive electrode is in fluidic communication with the lithium extraction chamber;
- and wherein the lithium releasing electrode is in fluidic communication with the lithium collection chamber;
- a reductive/oxidative electrode pair including a reductive electrode and an oxidative electrode;
- wherein the reductive electrode is in fluidic communication with the lithium extraction chamber and the oxidative electrode is in fluidic communication with the lithium collection chamber;
- a power supply;
- wherein the lithium adsorptive electrode is immersed in the lithium containing fluid and connected to a negative port of the power supply, and wherein the lithium releasing electrode is immersed in the lithium collection fluid and connected to a positive port of the power supply;
- wherein the reductive electrode is immersed in the lithium containing fluid, and the oxidative electrode is immersed in the lithium collection fluid;
- and wherein the reductive electrode and the oxidative electrode are connected using an electrical wire;
- and wherein lithium is extracted without using membranes.
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A system for extraction of lithium from a lithium containing fluid using fluid electrodes comprising,
- a lithium extraction chamber including a lithium containing fluid;
- a lithium collection chamber including a lithium collection fluid;
- a lithium adsorptive/releasing electrode pair including a lithium adsorptive electrode and a lithium releasing electrode;
- wherein the lithium adsorptive electrode is in fluidic communication with the lithium extraction chamber;
- and wherein the lithium releasing electrode is in fluidic communication with the lithium collection chamber;
- a fluid reductive/oxidative electrode pair including a reductive electrode and an oxidative electrode;
- wherein the reductive electrode is in fluidic communication with the lithium extraction chamber and the oxidative electrode is in fluidic communication with the lithium collection chamber;
- a first membrane separating the lithium extraction electrode and the reductive electrode in the lithium extraction chamber sufficient to form a lithium extraction compartment and a reductive compartment;
- and
- a second membrane separating the lithium releasing electrode and the oxidative electrode in the lithium collection chamber sufficient to form a lithium collection compartment and an oxidative compartment;
- and
- a power supply;
- wherein the lithium adsorptive electrode is immersed in the lithium containing fluid and connected to a negative port of the power supply, and wherein the lithium releasing electrode is immersed in the lithium collection fluid and connected to a positive port of the power supply;
- wherein the reductive electrode is immersed in the lithium containing fluid, and the oxidative electrode is immersed in the lithium collection fluid;
- and wherein the reductive electrode and the oxidative electrode are connected using an electrical wire.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.