Method for the Electrolytic Production of Lithium Hydroxide-Containing Aqueous Solutions from Contaminated Aqueous Diluates Containing Lithium

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This patent describes an improved method and apparatus for producing lithium hydroxide-containing aqueous solutions from contaminated, lithium-containing dilute solutions using electrodialysis. The process involves separating the lithium solution into lithium hydroxide and an acid via at least one electrodialysis cell, and simultaneously filtering out impurities through one or more filtration units during continuous operation. This allows efficient removal of difficult-to-separate metal impurities (like iron, calcium, or magnesium hydroxides) without requiring expensive and complex pre-treatment stages. The invention also includes a specialized apparatus that enables this continuous filtration and separation process.

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• Production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide for lithium-ion battery cathode manufacturing.
• Purification and recycling of lithium from mining brines, ores, or industrial waste streams.
• Treatment and recovery of lithium from contaminated industrial or process waters, including effluents from cathode material production.
• Direct conversion of lithium salts (such as lithium sulfate or lithium chloride) into lithium hydroxide while removing impurities for high-purity applications.

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• Enables direct processing of impure or contaminated lithium solutions without extensive pre-purification, reducing cost and complexity.
• Continuously filters out poorly soluble metal hydroxides, extending membrane life and improving reliability of the electrodialysis apparatus.
• Reduces the number of required process steps and use of chemicals (such as bases and acids) compared to conventional methods.
• Increases yield and minimizes lithium losses by efficiently separating lithium from impurities even in low concentrations.
• Supports sustainable lithium supply by allowing recycling and recovery from various raw materials, including secondary sources and waste streams.
• Facilitates production of high-purity lithium hydroxide suitable for critical applications like battery manufacturing.

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Patent Abstract

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Herstellung von lithiumhydroxidhaltigen wässrigen Lösungen, bei dem ein verunreinigtes, lithiumhaltiges, wässriges Diluat elektrodialytisch durch mindestens eine Elektrodialysezelle in ein lithiumhydroxidhaltiges wässriges Konzentrat und eine Säure getrennt wird und dabei Diluat, Konzentrat und Säure in drei unabhängigen Prozessströmen im kontinuierlichen Kreislauf geführt werden, wobei mindestens einer der drei Prozessströme kontinuierlich durch eine Einheit zum Filtrieren des Prozessstromes gelenkt wird und eine Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von lithiumhydroxidhaltigen wässrigen Lösungen.