Ultra-low power membrane-assisted lithium extraction system with passive foulant removal

Abstract

A system for ultra-low power extraction of lithium from a lithium-containing brine. The system comprises (1) a feed solution comprising lithium ions and foulant species, (2) a receiving solution, (3) a membrane separating the feed solution from the receiving solution, and (4) a lithium sink in physical contact with the receiving solution. The membrane facilitates concentration-driven transport of lithium ions while concurrently reducing trans-membrane transport of foulant species. The lithium sink removes lithium ions from the receiving solution to preserve a concentration difference across the membrane that promotes diffusion of lithium ions from the feed solution to the receiving solution. Unlike conventional sorbent-based direct lithium extraction systems that require extensive upstream pretreatment to remove foulants before lithium capture, the membrane-based barrier prevents foulants from entering the lithium sink, while concurrently enabling lithium transport without the need to provide electric potentials from external sources.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.