Efficient Lithium Extraction from Shale Gas Wastewater Using Sodium Alginate/H_1.33Mn_1.67O₄ Composite Granular Adsorbents

Abstract

Dual carbon policies have spurred rapid growth in the electric vehicle and energy storage industry, leading to a surge in demand for lithium batteries. To help meet this demand sustainably, the natural polymer sodium alginate (SA) was cross-linked with Ca 2+ , and the SA/hydrogen manganese oxide (HMO) composite granular adsorbent was successfully prepared by the crosslinking method. The aim is to extract lithium from shale gas wastewater in the Sichuan Basin, China. The produced microporous composite granular adsorbents have an average pore size of 20 nm and excellent hydrophilicity, with a swelling ratio of roughly 15 g/ g at a mass concentration of 3.5 wt % alginate and 2 wt % HMO. When deployed with real wastewater, this material achieved a lithium adsorption capacity of 4.3 mg/g. In laboratory-scale fixed-bed filtration experiments, the optimal adsorbent material was saturated after approximately 700 min at an approach velocity (hydraulic load) of 0.47 cm/min and using a total bed volume of 15 cm 3 containing approximately 0.55 g of adsorbent. In the subsequent recovery step of the adsorbed lithium through desorption, a lithium solution with a concentration of 113 mg/L was achieved. The results suggest that this novel composite granular adsorbent has promising adsorption capacity and that optimization of adsorption and desorption cycles and engineering of the separation system deploying this material would allow high-efficiency lithium adsorption.

Geological Insights into Exploration and Extraction of Lithium from Oilfield Produced-Water in the USA: A Review

“…Shale gas wastewater (SGW) is also a potential source of lithium. The SGW contains significant concentrations of lithium, with median lithium concentrations in SGW in the Sichuan Basin (located in southwest China) and Marcellus Basin (located in the eastern United States) being 33 and 95 mg/L, respectively. − Some research studies explore the efficient extraction of lithium from shale gas wastewater and the inorganic composition, resource potential, and safety evaluation of shale gas wastewater (SGW) from the Sichuan Basin. − The studies provide insights into the challenges and risks associated with poor management of SGW, highlighting the need for specific polishing steps to ensure the safety of effluent quality. The advanced combined process “pretreatment-disk tube reverse osmosis (DTRO)″ is assessed for the safe reuse of SGW, demonstrating high efficiency in removing metals and total radioactivity .…”

“…However, it also points out potential long-term environmental hazards due to slightly exceeding discharge standards, particularly in terms of radioactive contamination. Therefore, the comprehensive analysis of the inorganic composition of SGW from the Sichuan Basin evaluates the resource potential and safety of SGW, emphasizing the need for efficient methods to ensure the safety of effluent quality and addressing the potential risks associated with traditional reverse osmosis filtration. , These studies open up new possibilities for addressing the increasing demand for lithium resources and lay the foundation for the detection and evaluation of SGW, with implications for other complex wastewaters in terms of inorganic characteristics, resource potential, and safety. − …”