Compositions and systems for selective lithium leaching and related methods
Compositions, systems, and methods for selectively leaching and/or extracting lithium from sedimentary deposits and other resources are generally described.
1 . A method of leaching lithium into a solution, the method comprising:
exposing sedimentary ore comprising a lithium species to an acid and an oxidant, wherein the ore and the oxidant are in a solid state;
percolating a liquid through the solid ore and the solid oxidant; and
dissolving at least a portion of the lithium species into the liquid to form a leachate.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising suspending the sedimentary ore in a solution comprising the acid and/or the oxidant.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming reactive oxygen species within the solution.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising flowing the leachate to one or more chambers or an electrodialysis stack.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein dissolving at least a portion of the lithium species comprises selectively dissolving the lithium species.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising grinding or milling the sedimentary ore.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising grinding the sedimentary ore into particles of the sedimentary ore.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising suspending the sedimentary ore in the solution.
9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising using the acid to etch a surface layer of the sedimentary ore and/or allowing the oxidant to infiltrate the sedimentary ore.
10 . A method of leaching lithium into a solution, the method comprising:
exposing sedimentary ore comprising a lithium species to an acid and an oxidant, wherein the oxidant is sodium persulfate;
flowing a liquid across the sedimentary ore, the acid, and/or the oxidant; and
dissolving at least a portion of the lithium species into the liquid to form a leachate.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising suspending the sedimentary ore in a solution comprising the acid and/or the oxidant.
12 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising forming reactive oxygen species within the solution.
13 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising flowing the leachate to one or more chambers or an electrodialysis stack.
14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein dissolving at least a portion of the lithium species comprises selectively dissolving the lithium species.
15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising grinding or milling the sedimentary ore.
16 . A method of leaching lithium into a solution, the method comprising:
exposing sedimentary ore comprising a lithium species to an acid and an oxidant, wherein the acid has a concentration of greater than or equal to 0.1 M and less than or equal to 3 M;
flowing a liquid across the sedimentary ore, the acid, and/or the oxidant;
dissolving at least a portion of the lithium species into the liquid to form a leachate; and
forming reactive oxygen species within the solution.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising suspending the sedimentary ore in a solution comprising the acid and/or the oxidant.
18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising flowing the leachate to one or more chambers or an electrodialysis stack.
19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein dissolving at least a portion of the lithium species comprises selectively dissolving the lithium species.