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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Membranes (Basel) 2023-02, Vol.13 (2), p.187
Main Authors: González, Alonso, Grágeda, Mario, Ushak, Svetlana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Aqueous solutions
bipolar membrane electrodialysis
Current efficiency
Design
Efficiency
Electric currents
Electric properties
Electricity
Electricity consumption
Electrodialysis
Energy consumption
Evaporation
high concentration LiCl solutions
Hydroxides
Information processing
Ion exchange
Lithium
Lithium chloride
Lithium compounds
lithium hydroxide production
Lithium hydroxides
Mathematical models
Membranes
modeling and process simulation
Production processes
Purity
Reagents
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Summary: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.
ISSN:2077-0375
2077-0375
DOI:10.3390/membranes13020187