LiEL™ (Electrolysis)
Tenova Advanced Technologies (TAT) has developed the LiEL™ process for conversion of the Li₂SO₄ solution into LiOH solution using electrolysis.
Overview
Tenova Advanced Technologies (TAT) offers differentiated, project-specific process technologies based on decades of research, equipment design and project execution. Advanced solutions include solvent extraction (SX) and electrowinning (EW) for the mining and chemical industries, membrane circuits, in-house state-of-the-art R&D facilities, expertise in minerals beneficiation as well as phosphate processing from ore to purified phosphoric acid and salts. For the lithium Industry TAT has developed the LiEL™ process for conversion of the Li₂SO₄ solution into LiOH solution using electrolysis.
TAT collaborates with Noram Electrolysis Systems Inc. (NESI) to deliver the LiEL™ process to its customers.
Technical Data
LiEL™ is a two chamber Membrane electrolysis process for converting Li2SO4 to LiOH. The LiEL™ process is specifically designed to work in conjunction with LiSX™ (Li solvent extraction). LiSX™ produces a concentrated Li2SO4 which is ideally suited for the LiEL™ process. When the LiEL™ process converts Li2SO4 to LiOH, H2SO4 is produced as a bi-product, which can be returned as strip solution for LiSX™. As the solution returns to LiSX™ it is possible to only convert a portion of the feed thus maintaining a high Li concentration and high cell efficiency.
Innovation
Without an incorporated LiSX™ circuit conventional electrolysis of Li2SO4, has no use for a H2SO4-Li2SO4 solution and has to employ a 3 compartment cell to separate H2SO4/Lean Li2SO4/LiOH. LiEL together with LiSX™ eliminates the third compartment as well as allowing operation at higher Li concentrations, resulting in a smaller, cheaper, more efficient electrolysis operation.
Europe, Americas, MENA & Rest of the World
Amir Yanai
GM - Business Development & Marketing, Tenova Advanced Technologies
