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. For the extraction of lithium from the liquid resources, an ion exchange reactor has a tank, ion exchange particles, particle traps, and provision to modulate pH of the liquid resource.

A process for removing Co.sup.2+, Pb.sup.2+, Cd.sup.2+ and Cr.sup.3+ 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.sub.mZr.sub.aTi.sub.bSn.sub.cM.sub.dSi.sub.xO.sub.y.

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 Sr.sup.2+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with an ion exchanger 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 exchanger. The ion exchangers are represented by the following empirical formula:

A.sub.mZr.sub.aTi.sub.bSn.sub.cM.sub.dSi.sub.xO.sub.y.

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 Hg.sup.2+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with a titanium metallate ion exchanger 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 exchanger. The titanium metallate ion exchangers are represented by the following empirical formula:

A.sub.mTiNb.sub.aSi.sub.xO.sub.y.

A composition is provided with the combination of the titanium metallate ion exchanger and bodily fluids or dialysis solutions. Also, provided is an apparatus comprising a matrix and the titanium metallate ion exchanger.

The invention provides a method of obtaining inorganic sorbents for extraction of lithium from lithium-containing natural and technological brines. The method consists of steps of obtaining six consecutive non-stoichiometric compound, wherein at the final step the sixth non-stoichiometric compound is obtained by converting the fifth non-stoichiometric compound into a hydrogen-form of inorganic ion-exchanger by treating the fifth non-stoichiometric compound with an acid solution. The method improves selectivity and exchangeability of sorbents to lithium based on manganese oxides, as well as chemical stability of the sorbents in cyclic operations.

A method for producing lithium manganese oxide that is a precursor of a lithium adsorbent under atmospheric pressure is provided. The method for producing a precursor of a lithium adsorbent comprises tire following steps (1) to (3): (1) A 1.sup.st mixing step of mixing a manganese salt and alkali hydroxide, so as to obtain a 1.sup.st slurry containing manganese hydroxide; (2) a 2.sup.nd mixing step of adding lithium hydroxide to the 1.sup.st slurry and then mixing the mixture to obtain a 2.sup.nd slurry; and (3) an oxidation step of adding an oxidizing agent to the 2.sup.nd slurry, so as to obtain a precursor of a lithium adsorbent.
The method for producing a precursor of a lithium adsorbent comprises these steps, so that a precursor of a lithium adsorbent can be produced under atmospheric pressure. Therefore, a precursor of a lithium adsorbent can be produced at a limited cost.

The present invention relates to the field of solid materials for adsorption of lithium. In particular, the present invention relates to a novel method for preparing a crystallized and shaped solid material, preferably as extrudates, of formula LiX.sub.x.2Al(OH).sub.3, nH.sub.2O with n being comprised between 0.01 and 10, x being equal to 1 when X is an anion selected from among chloride, hydroxide and nitrate anions, and x being equal to 0.5 when X is an anion selected from among sulfate and carbonate anions, comprising a step a) for precipitation of boehmite under specific temperature and pH conditions, at least one shaping step, preferably by extrusion, said method also comprising a final hydrothermal treatment step, the whole giving the possibility of increasing the adsorption capacity for lithium as well as the adsorption kinetics of the materials obtained as compared with the materials of the prior art when the latter is used in a method for extracting the lithium from saline solutions.

The present invention relates to the field of solid materials for adsorption of lithium. In particular, the present invention relates to a novel method for preparing a crystallized and shaped solid material, preferably as extrudates, of formula LiX.sub.x.2Al(OH).sub.3, nH.sub.2O with n being comprised between 0.01 and 10, x being equal to 1 when X is an anion selected from among chloride, hydroxide and nitrate anions, and x being equal to 0.5 when X is an anion selected from among sulfate and carbonate anions, comprising a step a) for precipitation of boehmite under specific temperature and pH conditions, at least one shaping step, preferably by extrusion, said method also comprising a final hydrothermal treatment step, the whole giving the possibility of increasing the adsorption capacity for lithium as well as the adsorption kinetics of the materials obtained as compared with the materials of the prior art when the latter is used in a method for extracting the lithium from saline solutions.

The present disclosure relates to nanomaterial composites capable of selectively extracting lithium from a lithium-containing liquid resource when the nanomaterial composite is activated, a method of preparing the nanomaterial composites, and the use of the nanomaterial composites for the extraction and recovery of lithium.

The present disclosure relates to nanomaterial composites capable of selectively extracting lithium from a lithium-containing liquid resource when the nanomaterial composite is activated, a method of preparing the nanomaterial composites, and the use of the nanomaterial composites for the extraction and recovery of lithium.