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US 8,287,829 B2Granted
Processes for preparing highly pure lithium carbonate and other highly pure lithium containing compounds
AssigneeSimbol Mining Corp.
InventorsStephen Harrison, Robert Blanchet
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention generally relates to methods of selectively removing lithium from various liquids, methods of producing high purity lithium carbonate, methods of producing high purity lithium hydroxide, and methods of regenerating resin.
Claims22
A method of producing high purity lithium carbonate, comprising the steps of:
- reacting a first aqueous solution comprising a technical grade Li2CO3 with CO2 to form a second aqueous solution comprising dissolved LiHCO3;
- separating unreacted CO2 and insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid separator to produce a third aqueous solution,
- supplying the third aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus to concentrate the Li2CO3, wherein the reverse osmosis apparatus is operable to remove CO2 from the solution;
- removing dissolved impurities from the third aqueous solution by contacting the third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to produce a fourth aqueous solution;
- and
- precipitating Li2CO3 from the fourth aqueous solution, wherein the Li2CO3 has a purity of at least about 99.99%.
3 more elements
A method of producing high purity lithium carbonate, comprising the steps of:
- contacting an aqueous brine containing LiHCO3 having a purity of less than about 99% with CO2 at ambient temperature to form a second aqueous solution comprising LiHCO3 and dissolved ions;
- supplying the second aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus, wherein said reverse osmosis apparatus is configured to operate at high pressures, thereby concentrating the Li2CO3;
- separating insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid reactor to form a third aqueous solution, the third aqueous solution comprising LiHCO3 and dissolved ions;
- extracting at least a portion of the dissolved ions from said third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to form a fourth aqueous solution containing the dissolved LiHCO3 and having a reduced concentration of dissolved ions relative to the third aqueous solution;
- maintaining a constant pressure while carrying out the separating and extracting steps;
- and
- heating the fourth aqueous solution to form solid LiHCO3, gaseous CO2 and dissolved impurities.
4 more elements
A method of producing highly pure LiPF6, the method comprising the steps of:
- reacting a first aqueous solution comprising a technical grade Li2CO3 with CO2 to form a second aqueous solution comprising dissolved LiHCO3;
- separating unreacted CO2 and insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid separator to produce a third aqueous solution,
- supplying the third aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus to concentrate the Li2CO3, wherein the reverse osmosis apparatus is operable to remove CO2 from the solution;
- removing dissolved impurities from the third aqueous solution by contacting the third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to produce a fourth aqueous solution;
- precipitating Li2CO3 having a purity of at least 99.99% from the fourth aqueous solution;
- reacting the Li2CO3 having a purity of at least 99.99% with HF to produce lithium fluoride solution;
- and
- reacting the solution with PF5 to produce LiPF6.
5 more elements
A method of producing highly pure LiF, the method comprising the steps of:
- reacting a first aqueous solution comprising a technical grade Li2CO3 with CO2 to form a second aqueous solution comprising dissolved LiHCO3;
- separating unreacted CO2 and insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid separator to produce a third aqueous solution,
- supplying the third aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus to concentrate the Li2CO3, wherein the reverse osmosis apparatus is operable to remove CO2 from the solution;
- removing dissolved impurities from the third aqueous solution by contacting the third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to produce a fourth aqueous solution;
- precipitating Li2CO3 from the fourth aqueous solution;
- and
- reacting the high purity lithium carbonate having a purity of at least 99.99% with HF gas in a fluidized bed reactor to produce LiF, wherein the LiF is highly pure and dry.
4 more elements
A method of producing highly pure LiMnO2, the method comprising the steps of:
- reacting a first aqueous solution comprising a technical grade Li2CO3 with CO2 to form a second aqueous solution comprising dissolved LiHCO3;
- separating unreacted CO2 and insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid separator to produce a third aqueous solution,
- supplying the third aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus to concentrate the Li2CO3, wherein the reverse osmosis apparatus is operable to remove CO2 from the solution;
- removing dissolved impurities from the third aqueous solution by contacting the third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to produce a fourth aqueous solution;
- precipitating Li2CO3 from the fourth aqueous solution;
- and
- reacting high purity lithium carbonate having a purity of at least 99.99% with electrolytic MnO2 to produce high purity LiMnO2.
4 more elements
A method of producing highly pure lithium cobalt oxide, the method comprising the steps of:
- reacting a first aqueous solution comprising a technical grade Li2CO3 with CO2 to form a second aqueous solution comprising dissolved LiHCO3;
- separating unreacted CO2 and insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid separator to produce a third aqueous solution,
- supplying the third aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus to concentrate the Li2CO3, wherein the reverse osmosis apparatus is operable to remove CO2 from the solution;
- removing dissolved impurities from the third aqueous solution by contacting the third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to produce a fourth aqueous solution;
- precipitating Li2CO3 from the fourth aqueous solution;
- and
- reacting the lithium carbonate having a purity of at least about 99.99% with cobalt oxide to produce high purity lithium cobalt oxide.
4 more elements
A method of producing highly pure lithium iron phosphate, the method comprising the steps of:
- reacting a first aqueous solution comprising a technical grade Li2CO3 with CO2 to form a second aqueous solution comprising dissolved LiHCO3;
- separating unreacted CO2 and insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid separator to produce a third aqueous solution,
- supplying the third aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus to concentrate the Li2CO3, wherein the reverse osmosis apparatus is operable to remove CO2 from the solution;
- removing dissolved impurities from the third aqueous solution by contacting the third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to produce a fourth aqueous solution;
- precipitating Li2CO3 from the fourth aqueous solution;
- and
- reacting the lithium carbonate having a purity of at least about 99.99% with high purity ferric phosphate to produce high purity lithium iron phosphate.
4 more elements
A method of producing highly pure LiH2PO4, the method comprising the steps of:
- reacting a first aqueous solution comprising a technical grade Li2CO3 with CO2 to form a second aqueous solution comprising dissolved LiHCO3;
- separating unreacted CO2 and insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid separator to produce a third aqueous solution,
- supplying the third aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus to concentrate the Li2CO3, wherein the reverse osmosis apparatus is operable to remove CO2 from the solution;
- removing dissolved impurities from the third aqueous solution by contacting the third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to produce a fourth aqueous solution;
- precipitating Li2CO3 from the fourth aqueous solution;
- and
- reacting the lithium carbonate having a purity of at least about 99.99% with phosphoric acid to produce highly pure LiH2PO4.
4 more elements
A method of producing highly pure lithium chloride, the method comprising the steps of:
- reacting a first aqueous solution comprising a technical grade Li2CO3 with CO2 to form a second aqueous solution comprising dissolved LiHCO3;
- separating unreacted CO2 and insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid separator to produce a third aqueous solution,
- supplying the third aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus to concentrate the Li2CO3, wherein the reverse osmosis apparatus is operable to remove CO2 from the solution;
- removing dissolved impurities from the third aqueous solution by contacting the third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to produce a fourth aqueous solution;
- precipitating Li2CO3 from the fourth aqueous solution;
- and
- reacting a solution comprising deionized water and the lithium carbonate having a purity of at least about 99.99% with gaseous hydrochloric acid to produce highly pure lithium chloride.
4 more elements
A method of producing highly pure electrolyte salts, the method comprising the steps of:
- reacting a first aqueous solution comprising a technical grade Li2CO3 with CO2 to form a second aqueous solution comprising dissolved LiHCO3;
- separating unreacted CO2 and insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid separator to produce a third aqueous solution,
- supplying the third aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus to concentrate the Li2CO3, wherein the reverse osmosis apparatus is operable to remove CO2 from the solution;
- removing dissolved impurities from the third aqueous solution by contacting the third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to produce a fourth aqueous solution;
- precipitating Li2CO3 from the fourth aqueous solution;
- and
- reacting the lithium carbonate having a purity of at least about 99.99% by either triflation or perchloration and using LiASF5, LiBF3, lithium bis(oxalate)borate, or combinations thereof to produce highly pure electrolyte salts.
4 more elements
A method of producing highly pure LiF, the method comprising the steps of:
- contacting an aqueous brine containing LiHCO3 having a purity of less than about 99% with CO2 at ambient temperature to form a second aqueous solution comprising LiHCO3 and dissolved ions;
- supplying the second aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus, wherein said reverse osmosis apparatus is configured to operate at high pressures, thereby concentrating the Li2CO3;
- separating insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid reactor to form a third aqueous solution, the third aqueous solution comprising LiHCO3 and dissolved ions;
- extracting at least a portion of the dissolved ions from said third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to form a fourth aqueous solution containing the dissolved LiHCO3 and having a reduced concentration of dissolved ions relative to the third aqueous solution;
- maintaining a constant pressure while carrying out the separating and extracting steps;
- heating the fourth aqueous solution to form solid LiHCO3, gaseous CO2 and dissolved impurities;
- and
- reacting the high purity lithium carbonate with HF gas in a fluidized bed reactor, wherein the LiF is highly pure and dry.
5 more elements
A method of producing highly pure LiMnO2, the method comprising the steps of:
- contacting an aqueous brine contain in LiHCO3 having a purity of less than about 99% with CO2 at ambient temperature to form a second aqueous solution comprising LiHCO3 and dissolved ions;
- supplying the second aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus, wherein said reverse osmosis apparatus is configured to operate at high pressures, thereby concentrating the Li2CO3;
- separating insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid reactor to form a third aqueous solution, the third aqueous solution comprising LiHCO3 and dissolved ions;
- extracting at least a portion of the dissolved ions from said third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to form a fourth aqueous solution containing the dissolved LiHCO3 and having a reduced concentration of dissolved ions relative to the third aqueous solution;
- maintaining a constant pressure while carrying out the separating and extracting steps;
- heating the fourth aqueous solution to form solid LiHCO3 gaseous CO2 and dissolved impurities;
- and
- reacting the high purity lithium carbonate with electrolytic MnO2 to produce high purity LiMnO2.
5 more elements
A method of producing highly pure lithium cobalt oxide, the method comprising the steps of:
- contacting an aqueous brine containing LiHCO3 having a purity of less than about 99% with CO2 at ambient temperature to form a second aqueous solution comprising LiHCO3 and dissolved ions;
- supplying the second aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus, wherein said reverse osmosis apparatus is configured to operate at high pressures, thereby concentrating the Li2CO3;
- separating insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid reactor to form a third aqueous solution, the third aqueous solution comprising LiHCO3 and dissolved ions;
- extracting at least a portion of the dissolved ions from said third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to form a fourth aqueous solution containing the dissolved LiHCO3 and having a reduced concentration of dissolved ions relative to the third aqueous solution;
- maintaining a constant pressure while carrying out the separating and extracting steps;
- heating the fourth aqueous solution to form solid LiHCO3, gaseous CO2 and dissolved impurities;
- and
- reacting high purity lithium carbonate with cobalt oxide to produce high purity lithium cobalt oxide.
5 more elements
A method of producing highly pure lithium iron phosphate, the method comprising the steps of:
- contacting an aqueous brine containing LiHCO3 having a purity of less than about 99% with CO2 at ambient temperature to form a second aqueous solution comprising LiHCO3 and dissolved ions;
- supplying the second aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus, wherein said reverse osmosis apparatus is configured to operate at high pressures, thereby concentrating the Li2CO3;
- separating insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid reactor to form a third aqueous solution, the third aqueous solution comprising LiHCO3 and dissolved ions;
- extracting at least a portion of the dissolved ions from said third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to form a fourth aqueous solution containing the dissolved LiHCO3 and having a reduced concentration of dissolved ions relative to the third aqueous solution;
- maintaining a constant pressure while carrying out the separating and extracting steps;
- heating the fourth aqueous solution to form solid LiHCO3, gaseous CO2 and dissolved impurities;
- and
- reacting the high purity lithium carbonate with high purity ferric phosphate to produce high purity lithium iron phosphate.
5 more elements
A method of producing highly pure LiH2PO4, the method comprising the steps of:
- contacting an aqueous brine containing LiHCO3 having a purity of less than about 99% with CO2 at ambient temperature to form a second aqueous solution comprising LiHCO3 and dissolved ions;
- supplying the second aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus, wherein said reverse osmosis apparatus is configured to operate at high pressures, thereby concentrating the Li2CO3;
- separating insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid reactor to form a third aqueous solution, the third aqueous solution comprising LiHCO3 and dissolved ions;
- extracting at least a portion of the dissolved ions from said third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to form a fourth aqueous solution containing the dissolved LiHCO3 and having a reduced concentration of dissolved ions relative to the third aqueous solution;
- maintaining a constant pressure while carrying out the separating and extracting steps;
- heating the fourth aqueous solution to form solid LiHCO3, gaseous CO2 and dissolved impurities;
- and
- reacting the high purity lithium carbonate with phosphoric acid to produce highly pure LiH2PO4.
5 more elements
A method of producing highly pure lithium chloride, the method comprising the steps of:
- contacting an aqueous brine containing LiHCO3 having a purity of less than about 99% with CO2 at ambient temperature to form a second aqueous solution comprising LiHCO3 and dissolved ions;
- supplying the second aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus, wherein said reverse osmosis apparatus is configured to operate at high pressures, thereby concentrating the Li2CO3;
- separating insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid reactor to form a third aqueous solution, the third aqueous solution comprising LiHCO3 and dissolved ions;
- extracting at least a portion of the dissolved ions from said third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to form a fourth aqueous solution containing the dissolved LiHCO3 and having a reduced concentration of dissolved ions relative to the third aqueous solution;
- maintaining a constant pressure while carrying out the separating and extracting steps;
- heating the fourth aqueous solution to form solid LiHCO3, gaseous CO2 and dissolved impurities;
- and
- reacting a solution comprising deionized water and the high purity lithium carbonate with gaseous hydrochloric acid to produce highly pure lithium chloride.
5 more elements
A method of producing highly pure electrolyte salts, the method comprising the steps of:
- contacting an aqueous brine containing LiHCO3 having a purity of less than about 99% with CO2 at ambient temperature to form a second aqueous solution comprising LiHCO3 and dissolved ions;
- supplying the second aqueous solution to a reverse osmosis apparatus, wherein said reverse osmosis apparatus is configured to operate at high pressures, thereby concentrating the Li2CO3;
- separating insoluble compounds from the second aqueous solution using a gas-liquid-solid reactor to form a third aqueous solution, the third aqueous solution comprising LiHCO3 and dissolved ions;
- extracting at least a portion of the dissolved ions from said third aqueous solution with an ion selective medium to form a fourth aqueous solution containing the dissolved LiHCO3 and having a reduced concentration of dissolved ions relative to the third aqueous solution;
- maintaining a constant pressure while carrying out the separating and extracting steps;
- heating the fourth aqueous solution to form solid LiHCO3, gaseous CO2 and dissolved impurities;
- and
- reacting high purity lithium carbonate by either triflation or perchloration and using LiASF5, LiBF3, lithium bis(oxalate)borate, or combinations thereof to produce highly pure electrolyte salts.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.