A process for mechanical separation of sorbent particles in a Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) process using an ultrafiltration membrane and/or nanofiltration membrane. Also disclosed is a system for mechanical separation of sorbent particles in a Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) process using an ultrafiltration membrane and/or nanofiltration membrane. Also disclosed is an improved DLE process with a pH controlled upload step.

The invention relates to lithium-selective inorganic ion exchangers for the extraction of lithium from lithium-containing natural and technological brines. More specifically, invention relates to a technology for recovering lithium in the presence of oxidizing or reducing agents. The inorganic ion-exchanger is present in the form of solid particles which are represented by a chemical non-stoichiometric compound in the form of an inorganic polymeric aqua-oxo-hydroxo complex intended for selective extraction of lithium from lithium-containing natural and industrial brines, the inorganic ion-exchanger being represented by the following general formula:
H.sub.aNbO.sub.(2,5+0,5.Math.a).Math.bL.sub.2O.Math.cWO.sub.3.Math.dH.sub.2O; wherein: a is a number ranging from 0.5 to 2.0, b is a number ranging from 0.01 to 0.5, c is a number ranging from 0.01 to 0.2, and d is a number ranging from 0.1 to 2.0.

The invention relates to lithium-selective inorganic ion exchangers for the extraction of lithium from lithium-containing natural and technological brines. More specifically, invention relates to a technology for recovering lithium in the presence of oxidizing or reducing agents. The inorganic ion-exchanger is present in the form of solid particles which are represented by a chemical non-stoichiometric compound in the form of an inorganic polymeric aqua-oxo-hydroxo complex intended for selective extraction of lithium from lithium-containing natural and industrial brines, the inorganic ion-exchanger being represented by the following general formula:
H.sub.aNbO.sub.(2,5+0,5.Math.a).Math.bL.sub.2O.Math.cWO.sub.3.Math.dH.sub.2O; wherein: a is a number ranging from 0.5 to 2.0, b is a number ranging from 0.01 to 0.5, c is a number ranging from 0.01 to 0.2, and d is a number ranging from 0.1 to 2.0.

The present invention relates to the extraction of lithium from liquid resources such as natural and synthetic brines, leachate solutions from clays and minerals, and recycled products with the assistance of an alternate phase.

The present invention relates to the extraction of lithium from liquid resources such as natural and synthetic brines, leachate solutions from clays and minerals, and recycled products with the assistance of an alternate phase.

The proposed method relates to producing inorganic sorbents for extracting lithium from lithium-containing natural and industrial brines. The method consists of a plurality of sequential steps, which include contacting a mixture of a soluble manganese (II) salt and aluminum (III) salt with an alkali solution in the presence of an alkali metal permanganate to obtain a precipitate of a mixed hydrated manganese (III), manganese (IV), and aluminum (III) oxide. After multiple reactions and conversions of intermediate products of the mixed hydrated manganese (III), manganese (IV), and aluminum (III) oxide, the final product is obtained as an ion exchanger in the H-form of high selectivity to lithium.

The proposed method relates to producing inorganic sorbents for extracting lithium from lithium-containing natural and industrial brines. The method consists of a plurality of sequential steps, which include contacting a mixture of a soluble manganese (II) salt and aluminum (III) salt with an alkali solution in the presence of an alkali metal permanganate to obtain a precipitate of a mixed hydrated manganese (III), manganese (IV), and aluminum (III) oxide. After multiple reactions and conversions of intermediate products of the mixed hydrated manganese (III), manganese (IV), and aluminum (III) oxide, the final product is obtained as an ion exchanger in the H-form of high selectivity to lithium.

Sorbent cartridges having an improved shelf life comprising multiple layers of sorbent materials wherein moisture levels in the multiple layers of sorbent materials are controlled, and wherein a first layer of the sorbent cartridge comprises activated carbon and a second layer in direct contact with the first layer comprises one or both of hydrous zirconium oxide and zirconium phosphate.

Sorbent cartridges having an improved shelf life comprising multiple layers of sorbent materials wherein moisture levels in the multiple layers of sorbent materials are controlled, and wherein a first layer of the sorbent cartridge comprises activated carbon and a second layer in direct contact with the first layer comprises one or both of hydrous zirconium oxide and zirconium phosphate.

Disclosed herein are compositions for extracting lithium from a brine, methods for utilizing compositions for extracting lithium from a brine, and/or methods for preparing a composition for extracting lithium from a brine. For example, a composition may include lithium aluminum hydroxide crystals having a crystal structure of a plurality of hexagonal sheets. In some instances, each of the plurality of hexagonal sheets includes one or more vacant sites. Moreover, the composition may include a plurality of reinforcing ions bonded to an outside edge of one or more of the plurality of hexagonal sheets. In some instances, the plurality of reinforcing ions supports the crystal structure of the plurality of hexagonal sheets when the composition is washed with a stripping fluid and maintains a separation distance between one or more of the plurality of hexagonal sheets.