John L Mcnamara

20230064968, Mar 2, 2023

Aug 10, 2022

17/818949

- Des Moines IA, US
Chad SMITH - Johnston IA, US
John Michael McNAMARA - Indio CA, US

C01D 15/04
C01D 15/02
B01J 39/02
B01J 39/09
B01J 47/018
B01J 49/53
C22B 26/12
C22B 3/42

Provided herein are processes for recovering lithium ions from a brine source. The process can comprises increasing the pH of a brine source comprising lithium ions to at least about 5.5; contacting the pH-elevated brine source with a bed of protonated ion exchange media to produce a lithiated ion exchange media and a lithium-depleted brine stream; contacting the lithiated ion exchange media with an acidic aqueous wash liquid; and contacting the washed lithiated ion exchange media with an elution liquid comprising an acid. Also provided herein is a process for increasing the pH of brine comprising obtaining brine from a brine source comprising lithium ions; adding the brine to a continuously stirred tank reactor without preprocessing the brine to remove solid matter; adding a strong base to the continuously stirred tank reactor; contacting the brine with the base. Further provided herein are processes for creating a lithiated ion exchange media, which can comprise contacting a pH-elevated brine source with a bed of protonated ion exchange media; and producing a lithiated ion exchange media and a spent brine, wherein the bed of protonated ion exchange media comprises a metal oxide absorbent and a polymeric binder.