LIMEX, Innovative Membrane Extraction of Lithium for Spent Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling.
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB - Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 919 000 |
| Project duration | September 2019 - March 2023 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
New solvent extraction reagents have been made in the project, to increase the sustainability of these reagents methods have been devised to produce them from biomass and to reduce waste production during their production. These new reagents are closely related to existing lithium extraction reagents. The solvent extraction chemistry of lithium and related elements has been studied, this has created a new method for the separation of lithium from calcium and magnesium.
Expected results and effects
The project stimulated the development of sustainable methods of metal purification by solvent extraction. In particular we made an important step towards decoupling solvent extraction from the fossil fuel industry. We were able to prepare metal extraction reagents from biomass and to use sustainable alternatives to petroleum products for the solvent extraction purification of metals. This lead to our development of a biomass based extraction system for the purification of gold. We have moved towards an open source tool for the design and simulation of solvent extraction plants.
Planned approach and implementation
A postdoc with experience of making organic chemicals was recruited at Chalmers. This postdoc was trained in solvent extraction. This postdoc together with the PI (Mark Foreman) at Chalmers produced new metal extraction agents designed for the recycling of metals which were supplied to our partners in France to support their research. In addition to the synthesis of extraction agents other work to support the development of sustainable recycling processes was performed. This included development of process simulation and the use of biomass derived process chemicals.