Study on separation of magnesium and lithium from salt lake brine with high magnesium-to-lithium mass ratio by nanofiltration membrane

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20201594

Abstract

Abstract:

As an emerging membrane separation technology, nanofiltration has a potential application in separating magnesium and lithium from salt lake brine with a high magnesium-to-lithium mass ratio (Mg/Li). The separation of magnesium and lithium at different Mg/Li and cross-flow rates was evaluated and analysis on the mechanism in separation process was performed. The results showed that the membrane flux remained almost constant at different Mg/Li, the retention rates of magnesium and lithium and the separation efficiency decreased with increasing Mg/Li. When the cross-flow rate was 225 L/h, the retention rates of magnesium and lithium were 95% and -66%, respectively. In addition the Mg/Li in the permeate was reduced to 1.2. Study on the mechanism of mass transport for membrane process showed that magnesium was greatly influenced by dielectric exclusion, and steric hindrance. Nanofiltration shows considerable promise as a means to separate magnesium and lithium from salt lake brine with high magnesium-to-lithium mass ratios, which provides the basis for the subsequent preparation of high-purity lithium salt.

Key words: membrane, nanofiltration, salt lake brine, separation, Mg/Li, cross-flow rate

摘要：

纳滤作为一种新兴的膜分离技术，在高镁锂比盐湖卤水镁、锂分离领域具有非常好的应用前景。研究了不同镁锂比、原料液循环流量对镁锂分离过程的影响，并对膜分离过程中的分离机理进行分析。结果表明原料液镁锂比对膜通量影响较小，镁、锂离子截留率及镁锂分离效果均随原料液镁锂比的增加而降低。当原料液循环流量为225 L/h时，镁离子截留率为95%，锂离子截留率为-66%，透过液镁锂比降低至1.2。膜分离传质机理研究表明，镁离子在分离过程中受到较强的介电排斥效应与尺寸筛分效应。纳滤技术能够有效降低高镁锂比盐湖卤水的镁锂比，为后续高纯锂盐的制备提供基础。

关键词: 膜, 纳滤, 盐湖卤水, 分离, 镁锂比, 循环流量

CLC Number:

O 611.65

LI Yan, WANG Min, ZHAO Youjing, WANG Huaiyou, YANG Hongjun, ZHU Zenghu. Study on separation of magnesium and lithium from salt lake brine with high magnesium-to-lithium mass ratio by nanofiltration membrane[J]. CIESC Journal, 2021, 72(6): 3130-3139.

李燕, 王敏, 赵有璟, 王怀有, 杨红军, 祝增虎. 纳滤膜对高镁锂比盐湖卤水镁锂分离性能研究[J]. 化工学报, 2021, 72(6): 3130-3139.

Figures/Tables 15

Table 1 Hydrated radius and diffusion coefficient of solutes

离子	水合半径/nm	扩散系数/(m²/S)
Mg²⁺	0.428	0.72×10⁴
Li⁺	0.382	1.03×10⁴
Cl^-	0.332	2.03×10⁴

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of the spiral-wound membrane apparatus

Table 2 Main operating parameters of DK nanofiltration membrane

膜元件	最高操作压力/MPa	pH操作范围	工作温度/ K
DK-1812	3.5	2~11	283~323

Fig.2 Surface morphology of nanofiltration membrane

Fig.3 Contact angle image of DK nanofiltration membrane

Table 3 The surface electric charge of DK nanofiltration membrane in different solutions

膜	溶液环境	zeta电位/mV
DK新膜	1 mol/L KCl	-0.013
运行一年后回收DK膜	1 mol/L KCl	-45
DK新膜	模拟卤水	-11

Fig.4 Effect of Mg/Li on the membrane flux

Fig.5 Effect of Mg/Li on SF and retention rates of the membrane

Table 4 Variations of Mg/Li in the permeate and the yield of lithium with increasing Mg/Li of feed

原料液镁锂比	透过液镁锂比	锂离子回收率/%
17	0.5	10.4
30	1.0	11.0
40	1.7	11.1
53	2.4	11.4
63	3.2	11.5
75	4.3	11.6

Fig.6 Charged surface of nanofiltration membrane

Fig.7 Schematic diagram of solute transfer in mediums with different dielectric constants

Fig.8 Effect of cross-flow rates on the membrane flux

Fig.9 Effect of cross-flow rate on the retention rates for magnesium and lithium

Fig.10 Effect of cross-flow rate on the Mg/Li in the permeate and the SF of the membrane

Fig.11 Effect of cross-flow rate on the yield of lithium

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