The present disclosure relates to the extraction of lithium from liquid resources such as natural and synthetic brines, leachate solutions from clays and minerals, and recycled products.

The present invention relates to novel microporous zirconium silicate compositions that are formulated to remove toxins, e.g. potassium ions, from the gastrointestinal tract at an elevated rate without causing undesirable side effects. The preferred formulations are designed avoid increase in pH of urine in patients and/or avoid potential entry of particles into the bloodstream of the patient. Also disclosed is a method for preparing high purity crystals of UZSi-9 exhibiting an enhanced level of potassium exchange capacity. These compositions are particularly useful in the therapeutic treatment of hyperkalemia.

The present invention relates to novel microporous zirconium silicate compositions that are formulated to remove toxins, e.g. potassium ions, from the gastrointestinal tract at an elevated rate without causing undesirable side effects. The preferred formulations are designed avoid increase in pH of urine in patients and/or avoid potential entry of particles into the bloodstream of the patient. Also disclosed is a method for preparing high purity crystals of UZSi-9 exhibiting an enhanced level of potassium exchange capacity. These compositions are particularly useful in the therapeutic treatment of hyperkalemia.

A process for removing Pb.sup.2+, Hg.sup.2+, K.sup.+ and NH.sub.4.sup.+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with an ion exchange composition to remove the metal toxins in the bodily fluid, including blood and gastrointestinal fluid. Alternatively, blood can be contacted with a dialysis solution which is then contacted with the ion exchange composition. The ion exchange compositions are represented by the following empirical formula:

A.sup.r+.sub.pM.sup.s+.sub.1-xM′.sup.t+.sub.xSi.sub.nO.sub.m

A composition comprising the above ion exchange compositions in combination with bodily fluids or dialysis solution is also disclosed. The ion exchange compositions may be supported by porous networks of biocompatible polymers such as carbohydrates or proteins.

A process for removing Pb.sup.2+, Hg.sup.2+, K.sup.+ and NH.sub.4.sup.+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with an ion exchange composition to remove the metal toxins in the bodily fluid, including blood and gastrointestinal fluid. Alternatively, blood can be contacted with a dialysis solution which is then contacted with the ion exchange composition. The ion exchange compositions are represented by the following empirical formula:

A.sup.r+.sub.pM.sup.s+.sub.1-xM′.sup.t+.sub.xSi.sub.nO.sub.m

A composition comprising the above ion exchange compositions in combination with bodily fluids or dialysis solution is also disclosed. The ion exchange compositions may be supported by porous networks of biocompatible polymers such as carbohydrates or proteins.

A new family of rare-earth silicate compositions and the synthetic methods used to prepare them. The materials have open-framework structures and are characterized by their ion-exchange properties. They are represented by the following empirical formula:

A.sup.r+.sub.pM.sup.s+.sub.1-xM′.sup.t+.sub.xSi.sub.nO.sub.m

where A is an exchangeable cation such as sodium, M is at least one element selected from the group of rare-earth elements, and M′ is a framework metal having a valence of +2, +3, +4, or +5. The rare-earth silicate materials have utility in various cation-exchange applications such as dialysis and removal of toxic metals from the gastrointestinal tract.

A new family of rare-earth silicate compositions and the synthetic methods used to prepare them. The materials have open-framework structures and are characterized by their ion-exchange properties. They are represented by the following empirical formula:

A.sup.r+.sub.pM.sup.s+.sub.1-xM′.sup.t+.sub.xSi.sub.nO.sub.m

where A is an exchangeable cation such as sodium, M is at least one element selected from the group of rare-earth elements, and M′ is a framework metal having a valence of +2, +3, +4, or +5. The rare-earth silicate materials have utility in various cation-exchange applications such as dialysis and removal of toxic metals from the gastrointestinal tract.

Methods, sorbent cartridges and cleaning devices are disclosed for refurbishing sorbent materials. In one implementation among multiple implementations, a medical fluid delivery method includes: providing a sorbent cartridge including H.sup.+ZP within a casing for a treatment; and after the treatment, refurbishing the H.sup.+ZP while maintained within the casing via (i) regenerating the non-disinfected H.sup.+ZP by flowing an acid solution through the casing, (ii) rinsing the regenerated H.sup.+ZP while maintained within the casing, (iii) disinfecting the regenerated and rinsed H.sup.+ZP by flowing a disinfecting agent through the casing, and (iv) rinsing the regenerated and disinfected H.sup.+ZP while maintained within the casing. Multiple batch sorbent refurbishing implementations are also disclosed.

Methods, sorbent cartridges and cleaning devices are disclosed for refurbishing sorbent materials. In one implementation among multiple implementations, a medical fluid delivery method includes: providing a sorbent cartridge including H.sup.+ZP within a casing for a treatment; and after the treatment, refurbishing the H.sup.+ZP while maintained within the casing via (i) regenerating the non-disinfected H.sup.+ZP by flowing an acid solution through the casing, (ii) rinsing the regenerated H.sup.+ZP while maintained within the casing, (iii) disinfecting the regenerated and rinsed H.sup.+ZP by flowing a disinfecting agent through the casing, and (iv) rinsing the regenerated and disinfected H.sup.+ZP while maintained within the casing. Multiple batch sorbent refurbishing implementations are also disclosed.

The present invention provides a particulate cobalt ion adsorbent which has a high adsorption capacity. A particulate cobalt ion adsorbent which contains potassium hydrogen dititanate hydrate represented by chemical formula K.sub.2-XH.sub.xO.2TiO.sub.2.nH.sub.2O (wherein x is 0.5 or more and 1.3 or less, and n is greater than 0), and no binder, wherein the particulate cobalt ion adsorbent has a particle size range of 150 μm or more and 1000 μm or less.