A method of recovering a cathode active material precursor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes preparing a cathode active material mixture including a lithium composite oxide, separating lithium from the cathode active material mixture to form a preliminary transition metal precursor, acid-treating the preliminary transition metal precursor to form a complex transition metal salt solution, and adding an acidic extractant to the complex transition metal salt solution and then adding a basic compound to recover a transition metal precursor, and thus the extraction rate of transition metals can be improved.

Methods and systems directed to recovery of lithium (e.g., lithium salts) from liquid streams are provided. In some embodiments, methods relate to obtaining lithium (e.g., as a solid lithium salt) by removing at least a portion of liquid from a feed stream to form a concentrated stream with respect to solubilized lithium cations. Liquid removal may include transporting at least a portion of the feed stream to an osmotic unit and/or a humidifier. Some methods include removing impurities (e.g., non-lithium cations) from the concentrated stream (e.g., via precipitation and/or crystallization). In some embodiments, solutions containing solubilized lithium cations and anions are electrochemically-treated such that first solubilized anions are replaced with second, different anions. In some embodiments, solid lithium salt containing at least a portion of the lithium cations and the second anions is obtained (e.g., via precipitation and/or crystallization following concentration of the electrochemically-treated solution in a humidifier).

Methods and systems directed to recovery of lithium (e.g., lithium salts) from liquid streams are provided. In some embodiments, methods relate to obtaining lithium (e.g., as a solid lithium salt) by removing at least a portion of liquid from a feed stream to form a concentrated stream with respect to solubilized lithium cations. Liquid removal may include transporting at least a portion of the feed stream to an osmotic unit and/or a humidifier. Some methods include removing impurities (e.g., non-lithium cations) from the concentrated stream (e.g., via precipitation and/or crystallization). In some embodiments, solutions containing solubilized lithium cations and anions are electrochemically-treated such that first solubilized anions are replaced with second, different anions. In some embodiments, solid lithium salt containing at least a portion of the lithium cations and the second anions is obtained (e.g., via precipitation and/or crystallization following concentration of the electrochemically-treated solution in a humidifier).

In a method of recovering an active metal of a lithium secondary battery, a cathode active material mixture is prepared from a waste cathode of a lithium secondary. The cathode active material mixture is reacted with a reductive reaction gas to form a preliminary precursor mixture having a reduction degree of transition metal defined by Equation 1 in a range from 0.24 to 1.6. A lithium precursor is recovered from the preliminary precursor mixture. A lithium recovery rationis improved by adjusting the reduction degree of transition metal.

A method for LiOHH.sub.2O production from lithium-bearing multicomponent hydromineral raw materials includes filtering lithium-bearing brine contaminated with suspended particles with regeneration of filters and processing of used regenerate, and obtaining pregnant lithium-bearing brine, isolation of lithium chloride from the brine in the form of a primary concentrate in sorption-desorption modules, and nanofiltration of the primary lithium concentrate from magnesium, calcium and sulfate ions. By means of reverse osmosis, electrodialysis concentration and ion-exchange purification from impurities followed by thermal concentration, the primary lithium concentrate is converted into a pregnant lithium chloride concentrate which is converted into a LiOH solution by membrane electrolysis. The LiOH solution is boiled down, resulting in LiOH.H.sub.2O crystallization.

A method for LiOHH.sub.2O production from lithium-bearing multicomponent hydromineral raw materials includes filtering lithium-bearing brine contaminated with suspended particles with regeneration of filters and processing of used regenerate, and obtaining pregnant lithium-bearing brine, isolation of lithium chloride from the brine in the form of a primary concentrate in sorption-desorption modules, and nanofiltration of the primary lithium concentrate from magnesium, calcium and sulfate ions. By means of reverse osmosis, electrodialysis concentration and ion-exchange purification from impurities followed by thermal concentration, the primary lithium concentrate is converted into a pregnant lithium chloride concentrate which is converted into a LiOH solution by membrane electrolysis. The LiOH solution is boiled down, resulting in LiOH.H.sub.2O crystallization.

A process for producing alumina and a lithium salt comprising the steps of: (a) calcining an alpha spodumene ore or concentrate to produce beta spodumene; and (b) (I) leaching beta spodumene from the calcining step (a) with an alkaline solution under pressure; or (II) sulphating beta spodumene with at least sodium sulphate and leaching said sulphated beta spodumene to produce a lithium containing solution and a zeolitic residue. The lithium containing solution is treated to provide a purified lithium salt and said zeolitic residue is treated to provide high purity alumina.

A process for producing alumina and a lithium salt comprising the steps of: (a) calcining an alpha spodumene ore or concentrate to produce beta spodumene; and (b) (I) leaching beta spodumene from the calcining step (a) with an alkaline solution under pressure; or (II) sulphating beta spodumene with at least sodium sulphate and leaching said sulphated beta spodumene to produce a lithium containing solution and a zeolitic residue. The lithium containing solution is treated to provide a purified lithium salt and said zeolitic residue is treated to provide high purity alumina.

Methods and systems for production of lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate are described. One or more embodiments of the method include producing lithium hydroxide from potassium chloride, lithium chloride, and water. One or more embodiments of the method include producing lithium carbonate from potassium chloride, lithium chloride, water, and a carbon dioxide source. One or more embodiments of the method include producing lithium carbonate from sodium chloride, lithium chloride, water, and a carbon dioxide source.

Methods and systems for production of lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate are described. One or more embodiments of the method include producing lithium hydroxide from potassium chloride, lithium chloride, and water. One or more embodiments of the method include producing lithium carbonate from potassium chloride, lithium chloride, water, and a carbon dioxide source. One or more embodiments of the method include producing lithium carbonate from sodium chloride, lithium chloride, water, and a carbon dioxide source.