Lithium recovery using aqueous sources
US12280322B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 2024 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2044 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/20
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Described herein are methods of recovering lithium from dilute lithium sources. The methods include extracting lithium from an extraction feed using direct lithium extraction in an extraction stage to yield a lithium intermediate, performing one or more concentration operations, each concentration operation concentrating an input stream to yield an output feed, wherein the input stream is obtained from the lithium intermediate and/or the extraction feed is obtained from the output feed. At least one of the concentration operations includes a membrane separation operation having a plurality of reactors in series each having a semi-permeable membrane, such as a counter-flow reverse osmosis operation. Methods may also include generating a low TDS stream as a permeate from any of the one or more concentration operations, wherein the low TDS stream is recycled or used as fresh water.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.