Lithium purification from leachate solution

CMI developed a lithium purification process — CMI developed a process to purify lithium from a leachate surrogate sample containing Li and Mn. Mn can be co-recovered as electrolytic MnO2.

CMI scientists at Idaho National Laboratory contributed to this research.

Achievement

Li₂CO₃ recovery, with a Li purity over 90%, was demonstrated from a leachate surrogate sample containing Li and Mn. Mn can be co-recovered as electrolytic MnO₂

Significance and impact

Electrodialysis for Li recovery from battery leachate was demonstrated
High purity Li₂CO₃ can be obtained only using CO₂ as feedstock, without the need to use carbonate salts precipitants
Electrolytic MnO₂ was recovered as a valuable byproduct

Details and next steps

Elemental analysis of the Mn products need to be completed
Mass and energy balances will be performed to assess the efficiency of separation method