Innovative packed-bed ion-distillation for direct lithium extraction

Ion-distillation, as an innovative electro-membrane approach, efficiently separates various ions, revolutionizing the lithium mining industry. However, the suboptimal performance of ion perm-selective membranes and the low concentration of lithium necessitate additional separation stages, thereby increasing energy consumption in industrial applications. To address this, we propose a novel packed-bed ion-distillation system that integrates ion-distillation with electro-deionization by packing ion-exchange resin within the ion-distillation chambers. This strategy ensures precise lithium separation and reduces the electric resistance within the distillation chamber. Results show that when processing lake brine with a magnesium–lithium ratio of 1000, the permselectivity of Li⁺/Mg²⁺ reaches an impressive 8,124,599, with product purity exceeding 99.9%. The internal resistance of the packed-bed system is reduced by 41% compared to a resin-free ion-distillation system. This technology holds significant promise for the direct and efficient extraction of lithium from lake brines, enhancing the sustainability and economic viability of the lithium mining industry.