Researchers at Oak Ridge Laboratory found a new, more efficient way to recover lithium metal from previous applications. These sadly often-neglected resources include mining sites, oil fields, and spent batteries according to Mining.Com. The Oak Ridge report we link to below describes the novel acid-free lithium recovery process their scientists discovered.
The New Oak Ridge Acid-Free Lithium Recovery Process
The novel Oak Ridge method uses an existing mineral, aluminum hydroxide, in common use for managing acid indigestion. Although the material is also a good fire retardant, because it absorbs heat while releasing water vapor.
But now, an Oak Ridge team has discovered that aluminum hydroxide is a super lithium-sulfate-absorbent too. In fact, it does this at a rate five-times faster than any known alternative, opening a new range of affordable acid-free lithium recovery opportunities.
“The key advantage is that it works in a wider pH range of 5 to 11, compared to other direct lithium extraction methods,” explains Parans Paranthaman. He is an Oak Ridge corporate fellow, and co-author of the paper containing these findings.
‘It’s a low-cost, high-lithium-uptake process,’ he continues. The acid-free extraction takes place at 140 degrees Celsius, compared to traditional methods that roast mined minerals at 250 degrees Celsius with acid, or 800 to 1000 degrees Celsius without acid.
More About the Oak-Ridge Laboratory Breakthrough
Lithium is fast becoming strategically important, but it is not in abundant supply in North America. The Oak Ridge discovery could reduce dependence on imported stocks, by recycling supplies lying dormant on mining sites, oil fields, and awaiting recycling.
This discovery takes us closer to a circular lithium-metal economy, in which we continuously repurpose what we already have. The future could be as simple as extracting lithium ions from a solvent, and regenerating lithium to use all over again.
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