![diagram of Environmental impact assessment of Li2SO4 production via CMI aluminum hydroxide sorbent cycle vs standard Li2CO3 production by evaporation and precipitation. Feed for both methods is a leachate obtained from domestic mine tailings.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/inline-images/cmi-highlight-480_0.png?itok=XApE_Ahw)
CMI researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Arizona State University conducted the research for this highlight.
Achievement
High lithium sorption capacity of 5.5 meq/g in >86% extraction from a sulfate leachate of domestic mine tailings achieved with amorphous aluminum hydroxide.
Significance and impact
- Avoids new mining and pre-evaporation of leachate.
- Sorbent loads Li fast and selectively, releases Li in water, and is reusable, follows circular-economy model.
- Life-cycle analysis predicts significant environmental advantage of this system compared to that of conventional evaporation-precipitation process.
- High-temperature solution calorimetry demonstrates the enthalpy stability order as gibbsite > bayerite > amorphous Al(OH)3, revealing advantage of the latter.
Hub Targets Addressed
Unlocking unconventional resources. Highly selective separation from complex sources.