Phase: |
Theme |
Theme: | Grids and Storage (T06) |
Status: | Active |
Start Date: | 2024-04-01 |
End Date: | 2026-03-31 |
Principal Investigator |
Xia, Liuyin Lucy |
Project Overview
In recent years, lithium compounds have emerged as pivotal catalysts driving advancements across diverse fields, including electric vehicles, renewable energy storage and electronics, shaping the trajectory of modern life. Among these compounds, lithium hydroxide stands out as an exceptionally valuable component, commanding a higher market value and demonstrating superior suitability for use in batteries. The production process of lithium hydroxide (LiOH) involves crystallization, the final step in obtaining the desired product, lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LiOH⋅H2O). The traditional crystallization process demands significant energy for water evaporation. Additionally, precipitates formed by evaporative crystallization tend to have impurities, requiring substantial water usage to remove undesirable ions prior to crystallization.
This project aims to introduce a more efficient and environmentally friendly approach: solvent-driven extractive crystallization for the production of lithium hydroxide monohydrate. This alternative pathway holds the potential to revolutionize lithium hydroxide production by reducing energy costs, minimizing water consumption and contributing to an overall decrease in the carbon footprint of processing. Over a 3-year research program, three research activities will be completed. 1) Investigation of phase equilibria in the ternary system; 2) Process optimization and studies on the impact of impurities; and 3) exploration of solvent recovery. Through these efforts, we anticipate contributing to a more sustainable and efficient future in lithium hydroxide production.
Outputs
Title |
Category |
Date |
Authors |
Determination of activation energy and kinetic test of antisolvent crystallization of lithium hydroxideProduction of LiOH.H2O by antisolvent crystallization using EtOH were studied. Tests were performed under different temperature, time, and volume ratio of aqueous solutions and antisolvents. Kinetic of the antisolvent crystallization was investigated using Avrami model. The activation energy was calculated from the fitted data using Arrhenius equation and was found to be 2 kJ/mol, indicating that this process is diffusion-controlled.
University of Alberta | Publication | 2025-04-27 | Chentao He, Xia, L. |
Advances in Lithium Recovery from Dilute and Complex Waters: A Comprehensive ReviewCanada, particularly Western Canada, holds significant potential for future lithium production, with brine resources enriched in lithium associated with oil and gas reservoirs. These deep-formation waters, unlike conventional lithium-rich sources such as salt lake brines, contain only 10 to 150 ppm of lithium, and are therefore classified as unconventional, dilute lithium-bearing resources. In recent years, several review articles have summarized lithium extraction technologies, often primarily focusing on high-salinity brines and the separation of lithium from magnesium. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current technologies and recent developments specifically focused on extracting lithium from such diluted brines. University of Alberta | Publication | 2025-04-27 | Xia, L., Trivedi, J. |
Applications of Solvent-driven Crystallization in Hydrometallurgy: Current Status and Future PerspectivesThis review explores the fundamental principles of solvent-driven crystallization and summarizes its current applications in desalination, rare earth element (REE) recovery, and lithium compound production. Studies on the effectiveness of various antisolvents in crystallization and operational conditions such as addition methods, solvent-to-aqueous phase ratios, and control strategies, are comprehensively reviewed. Key challenges, including crystal size constraints, scalability limitations, and antisolvent inclusion are discussed. Additionally, future research directions are proposed to optimize solvent selection, process control, and industrial scalability. University of Alberta | Publication | 2025-04-27 | Kirk Xu, Chentao He, Xia, L. |