US 12,378,638 B2
Method for recovering lithium from brine
In Su Park, Gyeryong-si (KR); Hye-Jin Hong, Daejeon (KR); Chang-Youl Suh, Daejeon (KR); Sukjoon Park, Cheongju-si (KR); and Myunggyu Lee, Namyangju-si (KR)
Assigned to Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Daejeon (KR)
Appl. No. 17/773,253
Filed by Korea Institute Of Geoscience And Mineral Resources, Daejeon (KR)
PCT Filed May 29, 2020, PCT No. PCT/KR2020/007000
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 29, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/085777, PCT Pub. Date May 6, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2019-0138795 (KR), filed on Nov. 1, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0364203 A1, Nov. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. C22B 26/12 (2006.01); C01D 15/06 (2006.01); C01F 7/14 (2022.01); C02F 1/52 (2023.01); C22B 3/08 (2006.01); C22B 3/22 (2006.01); C22B 3/44 (2006.01); C02F 103/08 (2006.01)
CPC C22B 26/12 (2013.01) [C01D 15/06 (2013.01); C01F 7/14 (2013.01); C02F 1/5236 (2013.01); C22B 3/08 (2013.01); C22B 3/22 (2013.01); C22B 3/44 (2013.01); C02F 2103/08 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for recovering lithium from brine, comprising:
(a) an impurity removal step of adding a carbonate supply source to brine including lithium, magnesium and calcium to precipitate and remove magnesium and calcium impurities;
(b) a pH adjusting step of adding an acid to the brine from which the impurities have been removed, to adjust the pH of the brine;
(c) a lithium-aluminum compound recovery step of adding an aluminum supply source to the pH-adjusted brine to recover a lithium-aluminum compound;
(d) a lithium sulfate and aluminum oxide formation step of adding the lithium-aluminum compound to a sulfur supply source and calcining same to form lithium sulfate and aluminum oxide; and
(e) a lithium sulfate solution yield step of selectively dissolving lithium sulfate from among the formed lithium sulfate and aluminum oxide to yield a lithium sulfate solution.