METHOD AND ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE FOR LOW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT LITHIUM RECOVERY FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

摘要

An efficient and low environmental impact method is disclosed for the recovery of lithium from aqueous solution, for example, brines from high altitude salt lakes. The method comprises the use of an electrochemical reactor with electrodes which are highly selective for lithium, where lithium ions are inserted in the crystal structure of manganese oxide in the cathode, and extracted from the crystal structure of manganese oxide in the anode. Also disclosed are three-dimensional carbon electrodes embedded in manganese oxides formed by impregnating a porous support, for example a carbon felt, with a manganese oxide/carbon black slurry.

主权项

1. A packed bed electrochemical cell for extracting lithium from an aqueous solution containing lithium ions comprising:
(a) a first electrode comprising a compartment packed with a high surface carbon substrate coated with a lithium insertion compound comprising LiMn2O4, (b) a second electrode comprising a compartment packed with a high surface carbon substrate coated with a chloride reversible electrode material; and (c) a non-membranous porous material interposed between the first and second electrode, wherein the high surface carbon substrate comprises calcined coke carbon particles.