A study of membrane distillation and crystallization for lithium recovery from high-concentrated aqueous solutions

Quist-Jensen, Cejna Anna; Ali, Aamer; Mondal, Suchintan; Macedonio, Francesca; Drioli, Enrico

doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2016.01.033

Cited by 173 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…An interesting application of high salinity MD is the MD crystallizer system in which pure water is extracted from a supersaturated solution using MD with the brine recirculated into a tank where salt is precipitated [30,31].…”

Section: Small Area Systems Measuring Flux and Thermal Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy efficiency of membrane distillation up to high salinity: Evaluating critical system size and optimal membrane thickness

et al. 2018

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This study presents a comprehensive analytical framework to design efficient single-stage membrane distillation (MD) systems for the desalination of feed streams up to high salinity. MD performance is quantified in terms of energy efficiency (represented as a gained output ratio, or GOR) and vapor flux, both of which together affect the specific cost of pure water production. Irrespective of the feed salinity, permeate or conductive gap MD (P/CGMD) performs better than direct contact MD (DCMD) when the heat transfer resistance of the gap (in P/CGMD) is lower than that of the external heat exchanger in DCMD. Air gap MD's (AGMD) better performance relative to the other configurations at high salinity and large system area can be explained in terms of its thicker 'effective membrane', which includes the air-gap region. CGMD and DCMD employing a thick membrane are also resilient to high salinity, similar to AGMD, while not being susceptible to the gap flooding that can harm AGMD's performance. A method is described to simultaneously determine the cost-optimal membrane thickness and system size as a function of the ratio of specific costs of heat energy and module area. At low salinity and small system size, GOR rises and flux declines with an increase in membrane area. For salty feed solutions, there exists a critical system size beyond which GOR also begins to decline. Since both GOR and flux are lower, no economic rationale favors operation above this critical size, irrespective of the costs of thermal energy and system area. A closed-form analytical expression for this critical system area is derived as a function of the feed salinity and two dimensionless ratios of heat transfer resistances within the MD module.Keywords: membrane distillation, high salinity, energy efficiency, system size, optimal membrane thickness * Corresponding author: lienhard@mit.

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Section: Small Area Systems Measuring Flux and Thermal Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy efficiency of membrane distillation up to high salinity: Evaluating critical system size and optimal membrane thickness

et al. 2018

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“…That resulted in the recovery of NaCl and magnesium sulfate in the form of Epsomite (MgSO 4 ·7H 2 O) [18], a hydrated form of magnesium sulphate of great economic value. Another great advantage of membrane crystallizer is, in fact, the possibility to obtain different polymorphs and forms (hydrous or anhydrous) by simply tuning the operative conditions [19,20]. Effectively, in a MCr the membrane matrix acts as a selective gate for solvent evaporation, modulating the final degree and the rate for the generation of the supersaturation.…”

Section: Membrane Distillation/crystallizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Membrane Operations for Process Intensification in Desalination

2017

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Process intensification strategy (PIS) is emerging as an interesting guideline to revolutionize process industry in terms of improved efficiency and sustainability. Membrane engineering has appeared as a strong candidate to implement PIS. The most significant progress has been observed in desalination where substantial reduction in overall energy demand, environmental footprint, and process hazards has already been accomplished. Recent developments in membrane engineering are shaping the desalination industry into raw materials and energy production where fresh water will be produced as a byproduct. The present study discusses the current and perspective role of membrane engineering in achieving the objectives of PIS in the field of desalination.

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“…In order to overcome this limitation, an alternative configuration i.e. vacuum MCr (VMCr) has been proven suitable [27]. In VMCr, the condensing media (cold water in case of direct contact MCr) is replaced with the vacuum, thus the suction of water from the other side of the membrane is eliminated.…”

Section: Raw Materials Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From economical perspective, it has been calculated that the water production cost can become negative if the sale of the recovered salt is also considered [26]. Recovery of salts through MCr has been mostly carried out by using direct contact configuration, however, a current study [27] suggests that this configuration is not suitable when crystallizing salts, such lithium chloride, which have very high solubility. Highly soluble salts at high solution concentrations possess high osmotic pressure which can overcome the vapor pressure induced by the thermal energy provided to the solution and thus the system exhibits a net negative flux as shown in Figure 4.…”

Section: Raw Materials Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Membrane Engineering for Sustainable Development: A Perspective

2017

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Abstract:Membrane engineering can offer an important contribution in realizing sustainable industrial development. It provides opportunities to redesign the conventional process of engineering in the logic of Process Intensification. Relatively new and less exploited membrane operations offer innovative solutions to the scarcity of raw materials, freshwater and energy. Here, we identify the most interesting aspects of membrane engineering in some strategic industrial sectors. Several cases of either successful or innovative membrane technologies are discussed.

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A study of membrane distillation and crystallization for lithium recovery from high-concentrated aqueous solutions

Cited by 173 publications

References 33 publications

Energy efficiency of membrane distillation up to high salinity: Evaluating critical system size and optimal membrane thickness

Energy efficiency of membrane distillation up to high salinity: Evaluating critical system size and optimal membrane thickness

Membrane Operations for Process Intensification in Desalination

Membrane Engineering for Sustainable Development: A Perspective

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