Modeling and Validation of a LiOH Production Process by Bipolar Membrane Electrodialysis from Concentrated LiCl
Electromembrane processes for LiOH production from lithium brines obtained from solar evaporation ponds in production processes of the Salar de Atacama are considered. In order to analyze high concentrations’ effect on ion exchange membranes, the use of concentrated LiCl aqueous solutions in a bipol...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Membranes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/13/2/187 |
| _version_ | 1797619406372601856 |
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| author | Alonso González Mario Grágeda Svetlana Ushak |
| author_facet | Alonso González Mario Grágeda Svetlana Ushak |
| author_sort | Alonso González |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Electromembrane processes for LiOH production from lithium brines obtained from solar evaporation ponds in production processes of the Salar de Atacama are considered. In order to analyze high concentrations’ effect on ion exchange membranes, the use of concentrated LiCl aqueous solutions in a bipolar membrane electrodialysis process to produce LiOH solutions higher than 3.0% by mass is initially investigated. For this purpose, a mathematical model based on the Nernst–Planck equation is developed and validated, and a parametric study is simulated considering as input variables electrolyte concentrations, applied current density, stack design, process design and membrane characteristics. As a novelty, this mathematical model allows estimating LiOH production in a wide concentration range of LiCl, HCl and LiOH solutions and its effect on the process, providing data on final LiOH solution purity, current efficiency, specific electricity consumption and membrane performance. Among the main results, a concentration of 4.0% to 4.5% by LiOH mass is achieved, with a solution purity higher than 95% by mass and specific electrical energy consumption close to 4.0 kWh/kg. The work performed provides key information on process sensitivity to operating conditions and process design characteristics. These results serve as a guide in the application of this technology to lithium hydroxide production. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:26:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d42248aa9e9d48a6b16e532aaca1b120 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0375 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:26:39Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Membranes |
| spelling | doaj.art-d42248aa9e9d48a6b16e532aaca1b1202023-11-16T22:02:32ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752023-02-0113218710.3390/membranes13020187Modeling and Validation of a LiOH Production Process by Bipolar Membrane Electrodialysis from Concentrated LiClAlonso González0Mario Grágeda1Svetlana Ushak2Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Procesos de Minerales, Center for Advanced Study of Lithium and Industrial Minerals (CELiMIN), Campus Coloso, Universidad de Antofagasta, Av. Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 02800, ChileDepartamento de Ingeniería Química y Procesos de Minerales, Center for Advanced Study of Lithium and Industrial Minerals (CELiMIN), Campus Coloso, Universidad de Antofagasta, Av. Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 02800, ChileDepartamento de Ingeniería Química y Procesos de Minerales, Center for Advanced Study of Lithium and Industrial Minerals (CELiMIN), Campus Coloso, Universidad de Antofagasta, Av. Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 02800, ChileElectromembrane processes for LiOH production from lithium brines obtained from solar evaporation ponds in production processes of the Salar de Atacama are considered. In order to analyze high concentrations’ effect on ion exchange membranes, the use of concentrated LiCl aqueous solutions in a bipolar membrane electrodialysis process to produce LiOH solutions higher than 3.0% by mass is initially investigated. For this purpose, a mathematical model based on the Nernst–Planck equation is developed and validated, and a parametric study is simulated considering as input variables electrolyte concentrations, applied current density, stack design, process design and membrane characteristics. As a novelty, this mathematical model allows estimating LiOH production in a wide concentration range of LiCl, HCl and LiOH solutions and its effect on the process, providing data on final LiOH solution purity, current efficiency, specific electricity consumption and membrane performance. Among the main results, a concentration of 4.0% to 4.5% by LiOH mass is achieved, with a solution purity higher than 95% by mass and specific electrical energy consumption close to 4.0 kWh/kg. The work performed provides key information on process sensitivity to operating conditions and process design characteristics. These results serve as a guide in the application of this technology to lithium hydroxide production.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/13/2/187lithium hydroxide productionbipolar membrane electrodialysishigh concentration LiCl solutionsmodeling and process simulation |
| spellingShingle | Alonso González Mario Grágeda Svetlana Ushak Modeling and Validation of a LiOH Production Process by Bipolar Membrane Electrodialysis from Concentrated LiCl Membranes lithium hydroxide production bipolar membrane electrodialysis high concentration LiCl solutions modeling and process simulation |
| title | Modeling and Validation of a LiOH Production Process by Bipolar Membrane Electrodialysis from Concentrated LiCl |
| title_full | Modeling and Validation of a LiOH Production Process by Bipolar Membrane Electrodialysis from Concentrated LiCl |
| title_fullStr | Modeling and Validation of a LiOH Production Process by Bipolar Membrane Electrodialysis from Concentrated LiCl |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modeling and Validation of a LiOH Production Process by Bipolar Membrane Electrodialysis from Concentrated LiCl |
| title_short | Modeling and Validation of a LiOH Production Process by Bipolar Membrane Electrodialysis from Concentrated LiCl |
| title_sort | modeling and validation of a lioh production process by bipolar membrane electrodialysis from concentrated licl |
| topic | lithium hydroxide production bipolar membrane electrodialysis high concentration LiCl solutions modeling and process simulation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/13/2/187 |
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