Hybrid lithium extraction

Project description and research content

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding regional innovation alliances in Eastern Germany with the programme family "Unternehmen Region".

Lithium is currently mainly extracted from salt deposits and brines in South America. So far, extraction from lithium-containing ores, secondary raw materials (e.g. used lithium batteries) and lithium-containing solutions (deep waters, etc.) has played a subordinate role due to the lower lithium content and complexity of extraction. However, the extraction of lithium in the form of lithium carbonate from these raw materials will be urgently required in the future for economic and geopolitical reasons. Extraction processes that are able to combine all raw materials in a holistic process are particularly promising. The technology platform of hybrid lithium extraction has, compared to existing processing methods, the advantage that the system can react flexibly to changes in market conditions (prices, costs) and material flows (quantities) by utilising primary raw materials such as tin forestite and lithium-containing brines.

In addition to extraction from lithium-containing ores or brines, a viable urban mining concept for the development of lithium-containing secondary raw materials must be designed. The focus is on the recycling of portable lithium batteries, which, in contrast to industrial batteries, are already available in large quantities and the volume of which will continue to grow strongly in the future. The batteries and accumulators are primarily used in photographic and video equipment, household and DIY appliances, information technology and consumer electronics as well as medical devices. The newer applications for lithium batteries include eBikes and pedelecs, which are also showing a strong increase in sales. In view of the variety of types and different possible applications, the first step is to identify the key characteristics and recyclable materials of lithium-containing portable batteries.

In view of the constant further development of lithium-rechargeable batteries in small and large appliances, a technology roadmap must be drawn up in addition to the inventory. The aim of roadmapping is to predict and evaluate future technological developments in the field of lithium batteries and their components. Building on the analysis of recyclability, the aim is to identify the value creation potential of the disposal logistics and recycling of lithium batteries.

Under the technical leadership of Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Michael Höck, M. Sc. Peter Sittig and Dipl.-Kffr. Sonja Meisenzahl are in charge of the work packages.

Publications

G. Martin, L. Rentsch, M. Hoeck, M. Bertau (2018): Lithium Extracting from Zinnwaldite: Exonomical Comparison of an Adapted Spodumene and a Direct-Caonation Process, in: Chemical Engineering Technology, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 1-9.

G. Martin, L. Rentsch, M. Hoeck, M. Bertau (2017), Lithium Market Research - Globaly Supply, Future Demand and Price Development. Energy Storage Materials, Volume 6, pp. 171-179.

L. Rentsch, M. Hoeck, I. Aubel, N. Schreiter, M. Bertau (2016), PhytoGerm - Extraction of Germanium from biomass, in: Journal of Business Chemistry, Volume 13, Issue 1, pp. 47-58.

M. Hoeck, S. Meisenzahl, P.-P. Sittig, Future Technology Lithium Batteries - Technology Roadmap for Lithium Device Batteries, Chem. Ing. Tech., Vol. 86, pp. 1-8.

M. Hoeck, P.-P. Sittig (2014), Wirtschaftlichkeit des Recyclings von Lithium-Batterien, in: Acamonta, 21. Jg, 2014, S. 113 - 116.

M. Hoeck, S. Meisenzahl, P.-P. Sittig (2013), Neue Konzepte - Batterien; in: Logistik Heute, 12/2013, pp. 58-59.

M. Hoeck, S. Meisenzahl, P.-P. Sittig (2013), Marktstudie des Batterieaufkommens und der Batterierückgabe, speziell der Lithiumbatterien; in: Müll und Abfall, 45. Jg, S. 304-310.

M. Hoeck, P.-P. Sittig, S. Meisenzahl (2013), Entsorgung lithiumhaltiger Gerätebatterien, Umwelt Magazin, Heft 4/5, p. 16-18.

Links

https://www.unternehmen-region.de/de/5554.php