Effect of operational parameters on performance of multifiber module designed for lithium recovery

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F28676092%3A_____%2F25%3AN0000017" target="_blank" >RIV/28676092:_____/25:N0000017 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

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DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Effect of operational parameters on performance of multifiber module designed for lithium recovery

Original language description

Lithium is a highly valuable material due to its application in battery manufacturing. The complexity of its extraction connected with its limited terrestrial reserves, with forecasts predicting that up to one-third of these reserves may be depleted by 2050, increases lithium prices even more. Today, lithium is mainly obtained from spodumene ore or brine extraction. The types of brines suitable for lithium production are primarily found in salt lakes in South America and Australia. The environmental impact of these methods differs significantly: spodumene processing consumes 77 m³ of fresh water and emits 20 tons of CO₂ per ton of produced Li₂CO₃, while brine extraction requires less water (16–33 m³) and releases only 3 tons of CO₂. However, brine extraction depends on solar evaporation, making it vulnerable to seasonal and weather variations. Currently, about 65% of produced lithium is used in batteries, and this share is expected to rise with increasing electrification. To meet growing demand, Li-ion battery recycling capacity must increase, because only 5% of batteries were recycled in 2022. This recycling process generates many waste streams that still contain enough lithium for recovery. This study investigates the membrane crystallization of lithium carbonate using Donnan dialysis as a cost-effective and operationally simple separation method. Experiments were performed using anion-exchange hollow fibers manufactured by MemBrain s.r.o., packed in 3D-printed and commercially purchased module bodies, with an emphasis on optimizing packing density and hydrodynamic conditions. The used model solution simulated brine generated during Li-ion battery recycling, primarily composed of lithium and chloride ions. During Donnan dialysis, lithium was converted into lithium bicarbonate, which remains soluble but can be thermally transformed into poorly soluble and commercially valuable lithium carbonate at temperatures 80–90 °C. The study successfully demonstrated a fourfold reduction in processing time compared to single-fiber modules, thanks to the increased membrane surface area in the multi-fiber setup. Loss of lithium during the process remained relatively unaffected by changes in process conditions, meaning that losses are mainly dependent on the membrane’s functional group concentration. An undesirable side effect observed during experiments was water transport across the membrane due to increased transmembrane pressure. Despite these challenges, the method holds promise as a low-cost alternative to electrodialysis, offering lower membrane and operational expenses.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

O - Miscellaneous

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

20401 - Chemical engineering (plants, products)

Project

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Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů