Simulation and optimization of selective electrodialysis magnesium and lithium separation process

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20230403

Abstract

Abstract:

Selective electrodialysis (S-ED) technology is an effective means to extract lithium resources from brine with high magnesium lithium ratio. A two-dimensional mass transfer steady state model was established to investigate the effects of ionic strength, applied voltage and channel flow rate on the separation of magnesium and lithium with the ion flux distribution as the research object. The results show that the increase of ionic strength and channel flow rate and the decrease of applied voltage can both promote the separation of magnesium and lithium. Under the condition that the ionic strength of the system is 1378 mol/m³, the applied voltage is 0.8 V, and the channel flow rate is 5.7 cm/s, the separation coefficient of lithium and magnesium is 2.31. The research results can provide theoretical guidance and data reference for the promotion of numerical simulation of S-ED processes.

Key words: lithium resources, magnesium lithium separation, selective electrodialysis, numerical simulation

摘要：

选择性电渗析（selective electrodialysis，S-ED）技术是目前实现高镁锂比卤水锂资源提取的有效手段。通过建立一种二维传质稳态模型，以离子通量分布为研究对象，探究体系离子强度、外加电压和通道流速对镁锂分离的影响。结果表明：体系离子强度和通道流速的增大与外加电压的减小均对镁锂分离具有促进作用。在体系离子强度为1378 mol/m³，外加电压值为0.8 V，通道流速为5.7 cm/s的条件下，锂镁分离系数为2.31。研究结果可为推广S-ED过程数值模拟提供理论指导和数据参考。

关键词: 锂资源, 镁锂分离, 选择性电渗析, 数值模拟

CLC Number:

TS 396.5

Xingchi ZHU, Zhiyuan GUO, Zhiyong JI, Jing WANG, Panpan ZHANG, Jie LIU, Yingying ZHAO, Junsheng YUAN. Simulation and optimization of selective electrodialysis magnesium and lithium separation process[J]. CIESC Journal, 2023, 74(6): 2477-2485.

朱兴驰, 郭志远, 纪志永, 汪婧, 张盼盼, 刘杰, 赵颖颖, 袁俊生. 选择性电渗析镁锂分离过程模拟优化[J]. 化工学报, 2023, 74(6): 2477-2485.

Figures/Tables 13

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of S-ED

Fig.2 Schematic diagram of model structure

Table 1 Parameter of model

参数	数值
通道宽度W_ch/mm	0.9
通道长度 L/mm	300
阳膜宽度 W_cm/mm	0.15
阴膜宽度 W_am/mm	0.13
电解质电位 V_tot/V	0.2~1
入口流速 V_in/(cm/s)	1.7~9.7
温度 T/K	298.15
LiCl浓度 c_LiCl/(mmol/L)	145~435
MgCl₂浓度 $c M g C l 2$ /(mmol/L)	411~1233
NaCl浓度 c_NaCl/(mmol/L)	500~1500
Li⁺扩散系数 D_Li/(m²/s)	1.03 × 10^-9
Mg²⁺扩散系数 D_Mg/(m²/s)	7.06 × 10^-10
Na⁺扩散系数 D_Na/(m²/s)	1.33 × 10^-9
Cl^-扩散系数 D_Cl/(m²/s)	2.03 × 10^-9
阳/阴膜浓度 C_mem/(mol/m³)	1000
阳/阴膜含水量 ϕ_w	0.25

Table 1 Parameter of model

参数	数值
通道宽度W_ch/mm	0.9
通道长度 L/mm	300
阳膜宽度 W_cm/mm	0.15
阴膜宽度 W_am/mm	0.13
电解质电位 V_tot/V	0.2~1
入口流速 V_in/(cm/s)	1.7~9.7
温度 T/K	298.15
LiCl浓度 c_LiCl/(mmol/L)	145~435
MgCl₂浓度 $c M g C l 2$ /(mmol/L)	411~1233
NaCl浓度 c_NaCl/(mmol/L)	500~1500
Li⁺扩散系数 D_Li/(m²/s)	1.03 × 10^-9
Mg²⁺扩散系数 D_Mg/(m²/s)	7.06 × 10^-10
Na⁺扩散系数 D_Na/(m²/s)	1.33 × 10^-9
Cl^-扩散系数 D_Cl/(m²/s)	2.03 × 10^-9
阳/阴膜浓度 C_mem/(mol/m³)	1000
阳/阴膜含水量 ϕ_w	0.25

Fig.3 Average ion concentration on the surface of cation membrane under different meshes

Table 2 Feed concentration and ionic strength

组成离子		进料浓度/(mol/m³)		组成离子		进料浓度/(mol/m³)
组成离子		I_s1=1378 mol/m³	I_s1=4134 mol/m³	组成离子		I_s2=500 mol/m³	I_s2=1500 mol/m³
淡化室	Li⁺	145	435	浓缩室	Na⁺	500	1500
	Mg²⁺	411	1233
	Cl^-	967	2901		Cl^-	500	1500

Fig.4 Experimental results under different ion strength

Fig.5 Total flux distribution under different ion strength

Fig.6 Comparison of unit energy consumption

Fig.7 Experimental results under different voltages

Fig.8 Distribution of the total flux of Li+ under different voltages

Fig.9 Experimental results at different channel flow rates

Fig.10 Channel velocity distribution

Fig.11 The total flux of Li+ along the horizontal line at different channel velocities

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