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US4291001A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Recovery of lithium from brine

Assignee: FMC Corp
•
Filing: 1979-12-26
•
Granted: 1981-09-22
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Expires: 1999-12-26
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Abstract

Abstract Improvements are made in the process wherein Li+ values are recovered from dilute aqueous solution by the use of an anion exchange resin composite containing crystalline LiX.2Al(OH)3, where X is halide. The improvements derive from enriching the Li+ containing solution with a non-competing metal salt (e.g., NaCl) prior to the Li+ removal, thereby achieving higher Li+ loading of the resin composite and obtaining more concentrated eluates.

Inventors

  • 👤 Wendy J. Repsher
  • 👤 Kirby T. Rapstein

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 12:54
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01D; C01D15/00; C01D15/04; B; B01; B01J; B01J41/00; B01J41/04; B01J41/07; B01J41/08; B01J47/00; B01J47/016; C01D3/00; C01D3/14; C01D3/145; C22; C22B; C22B26/00; C22B26/10; C22B26/12; C22B3/00; C22B3/20; C22B3/42; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 93 words
In a process for removing Li + values from a Li + -containing aqueous solution by passing the solution through a resin/aluminate composite, wherein said Li + -containing aqueous solution is one which is not substantially loaded with non-competing metal salt, and which composite comprises an anion exchange resin having crystalline LiX.2Al(OH) 3 dispersed therein, where x is halide, thereby substantially loading the said composite with Li + values, the improvement which comprises loading the Li + -containing solution with at least one non-competing metal salt prior to passing it through the resin/aluminate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 93 words
In a process for removing Li + values from a Li + -containing aqueous solution by passing the solution through a resin/aluminate composite, wherein said Li + -containing aqueous solution is one which is not substantially loaded with non-competing metal salt, and which composite comprises an anion exchange resin having crystalline LiX.2Al(OH) 3 dispersed therein, where x is halide, thereby substantially loading the said composite with Li + values, the improvement which comprises loading the Li + -containing solution with at least one non-competing metal salt prior to passing it through the resin/aluminate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the non-competing metal salt is at least one selected from the group consisting of halides of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 30 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the non-competing metal salt is at least one selected from the group consisting of chlorides, bromides, and iodides of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the non-competing metal salt is predominantly NaCl and/or CaCl 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the non-competing metal salt is predominantly NaCl.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 37 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the amount of non-competing metal salt loaded into the Li + -containing solution is an amount which is at least as much as the amount of Li compound in the solution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 28 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the amount of non-competing metal salt loaded into the Li + containing solution is an amount sufficient to substantially saturate the solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 29 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the Li + compound in the solution is LiCl, the LiX.2Al(OH) 3 is LiCl.2Al(OH) 3 , and the non-competing metal salt is NaCl.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 60 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the Li + -containing solution is a Li + -containing eluate which has been obtained by passing a salt-rich Li + -containing solution through the resin/aluminate composite, thereby loading the composite with Li + values, then passing water through the composite to wash out Li + values to form the Li + -containing eluate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the resin/aluminate composite is maintained at a temperature of from about 60° C. to about reflux temperature.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4116858A Cited
US4116856A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1984-09-21 1985-03-23 1985-09-22 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1988-09-21 1989-03-23 1989-09-22 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1992-09-21 1993-03-23 1993-09-22 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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