Lithium Hydroxide’s Manufacturing Process & Tomorrow's Innovations

The Lithium Hydroxide might sound complicated, but it is in reality an amazing and valuable compound. This white, sometimes sparkling solid, which is an essential element in various industries, surprisingly has some unique applications.

Lithium Hydroxide is a widely used chemical compound, and in this article, we will take a look at its various aspects. We'll be looking into its properties, how it is made (which involves some interesting chemistry, too!), and some of the amazing things it is used for. Lithium Hydroxide, which is used in both air freshening systems on spaceships and in special greases, has a range of unexpected uses. Therefore, please fasten your seatbelt and let us dive into the discussion of this essential chemical!

Introduction

Lithium Hydroxide (LiOH) is a white, solid compound that comes in two forms (hydrated and anhydrous) and is made by reacting lithium carbonate with calcium hydroxide. It is used to create lithium greases, which are valuable lubricants due to their resistance to heat, water, and pressure. In batteries, Lithium Hydroxide is gaining traction as a replacement for lithium carbonate because it allows for bigger batteries with more power, better safety, and longer life. It's already used by Tesla and is likely to be adopted by other electric vehicle makers. Lithium Hydroxide also finds use in alkaline batteries and air scrubbers.

Manufacturing Process

This blog unveils a process for manufacturing Lithium Hydroxide, involving several steps. Initially, lithium sulfate reacts with barium hydroxide in a liquid medium, yielding a Lithium Hydroxide solution through hydroxylation. Subsequently, barium ions in the Lithium Hydroxide solution are eliminated via a barium removal process utilizing a cation exchange resin and/or a chelate resin. Finally, Lithium Hydroxide is precipitated from the treated solution in a crystallization step.

Step-1 Lithium Concentration

• The extraction process involves bringing the lithium dissolved solution (aqueous phase) into contact with a solvent (organic phase) and mixing them with agitation using a mixer to transfer lithium ions and similar substances from the dissolved solution to the solvent. Following this, the organic phase and the aqueous phase are separated using a settler based on their differing specific gravities. Depending on factors such as lithium ion concentration, an O/A ratio (organic phase to aqueous phase volume ratio) exceeding 1.5/1.0 may be utilized. To enhance the extraction efficiency of lithium ions, the O/A ratio can be adjusted, and the number of extraction stages can be increased. For the lithium dissolved solution, a phosphonate ester extracting agent, a phosphate ester extracting agent, or a combination of both may be employed as extracting agents. Optionally, the extracting agent could be thinned with a hydrocarbon-based organic solvent, including aromatic, paraffinic, or naphthenic solvents. Ideally, the equilibrium pH range during extraction falls between 7 and 8.
• Scrubbing the solvent with the lithium solution effectively eliminates sodium ions that have been extracted into the solvent. By modifying the lithium ion concentration within the lithium solution, lithium ions within the solution can replace the sodium ions present in the solvent, thereby facilitating the efficient removal of sodium ions from the solvent.
• The lithium ions present in the scrubbed solvent are subsequently extracted from the solvent through a back-extraction process. This involves stirring and mixing the solvent with a pre-back extraction liquid, typically an acidic aqueous solution, using a mixer or similar equipment. This facilitates the transfer of lithium ions from the solvent to the aqueous phase. The pre-back extraction solution utilized for this process may comprise various inorganic acids such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, or nitric acid. Among these options, sulfuric acid is favored because it yields a back-extracted liquid containing lithium sulfate, a valuable raw material for Lithium Hydroxide production.
• The back-extracted liquid obtained from the back extraction step can undergo additional back extraction cycles, serving as a pre-back extraction liquid. This process further elevates the lithium ion concentration. Moreover, the back-extracted liquid can also be employed in the scrubbing step as a lithium solution. This cyclical approach optimizes the extraction process, enhancing lithium ion concentration and maximizing the utilization of resources.

Step 2 - Hydroxylation Step

• In the hydroxylation step, lithium sulfate, obtained from the back-extraction process or similar sources, undergoes a reaction with barium hydroxide in a liquid medium to yield a Lithium Hydroxide solution. This chemical transformation can be represented as follows:

Li2SO4 + Ba(OH)2 → 2LiOH + BaSO4

• Consequently, a solution containing dissolved Lithium Hydroxide is generated, while barium sulfate precipitates. The utilization of barium hydroxide proves effective as it facilitates the chemical conversion reaction with lithium sulfate, enabling the production of a Lithium Hydroxide solution.

Step 4 - Barium Removal Step

• In the barium removal step following hydroxylation, the Lithium Hydroxide solution undergoes contact with either a cation exchange resin or a chelate resin to eliminate impurities, particularly barium ions. The resin adsorbs these ions from the solution, enhancing the purity of Lithium Hydroxide obtained after subsequent crystallization.

• It's crucial to meticulously select the resin and operating conditions during barium removal to ensure efficient extraction of barium ions from the Lithium Hydroxide solution. Resins like weakly acidic cation exchange resins with carboxyl groups or aminophosphoric acid type chelate resins exhibit high selectivity for barium ions while minimizing adsorption of lithium ions.

• Moreover, maintaining an alkaline pH (preferably 9 or higher) in the Lithium Hydroxide solution during resin contact optimizes the barium removal efficiency.

Step 5 - Crystallization Step

• The crystallization step follows the barium removal process to precipitate Lithium Hydroxide from the solution, yielding pure Lithium Hydroxide. This ensures the removal of impurities, particularly barium ions, resulting in high-purity Lithium Hydroxide suitable for various applications.

• Crystallization techniques such as heat concentration or vacuum distillation are employed to precipitate Lithium Hydroxide. Higher temperatures during crystallization expedite the process; however, subsequent drying at temperatures below 60°C prevents the release of water of crystallization, maintaining the product as hydrated Lithium Hydroxide, which is easier to handle. Additional treatments like pulverization may be performed to adjust the physical properties of Lithium Hydroxide as needed.

Applications of Lithium Hydroxide

1. Batteries

Lithium Hydroxide (LiOH) found in batteries, specifically lithium-ion batteries, is a significant contributor to the high electrochemical potential and lightweight characteristic of lithium, which in turn leads to high energy density. Its inherent property of staying stable at the high temperatures in the charging cycles guarantees the batteries' safety. Lithium-ion batteries with LiOH have low discharge rates, and they hold charges over a long time. They are rechargeable, thanks to the lithium ions that are moving back and forth between electrodes that are facilitated by LiOH. This mixture thus leads to lightweight, power-efficient energy storages that are suitable for use in electric vehicles, portable gadgets, and other devices which require high-performance long-lasting power sources.

2. Grease and Lubricants

Lithium Hydroxide finds application in lubricating greases, commonly referred to as lithium grease, enhancing their resistance to water and oxidation. These greases maintain their lubricating efficacy across a broad temperature spectrum, enabling them to endure high-pressure conditions. Their insolubility ensures longevity, making them suitable for humid environments where water exposure is frequent without losing their lubricating properties.

3. Glass & Ceramics

Multiple advantages of Lithium Hydroxide make it applicable in the glass and ceramics industries. Besides the fact that it allows for more accurate dimensional tolerances, it also helps to reduce thermal expansion, which in turn prevents cracks and fractures during production and use. Furthermore, it provides clarity that makes the glass transparent by getting rid of any imperfections that may cause cloudiness. Through the reduction of the melting point of the glass mixtures, Lithium Hydroxide helps energy-efficient manufacturing processes and gives molten glass a better flow. In ceramics, it enhances properties like the strength and thermal shock resistance when it functions as a flux or a filler. Additionally, lithium compounds are capable of coloring glass and ceramics that give them particular colors, which makes them more attractive and appealing.

Market Outlook

The Lithium Hydroxide market is driven by the increasing demand for electric vehicles and consumer electronics. Lithium Hydroxide is a critical component in lithium-ion batteries, which are used in these electric vehicles and consumer electronics. Because of this, the demand for lithium-ion batteries is a major driver of the Lithium Hydroxide market. Additionally, the dominance of lithium-ion batteries in the Lithium Hydroxide market is expected to continue due to ongoing research and development efforts to improve battery performance.

Lithium Hydroxide Major Global Producers

Top companies in the Global Lithium Hydroxide market are Albemarle Corporation, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM), Tianqi Lithium Corporation, Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd., Livent Corporation, Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd., FMC Corporation, Galaxy Resources Limited, Nemaska Lithium Inc., Altura Mining Limited, and Others.

Lithium Hydroxide Market Opportunities

The Lithium Hydroxide market, which is used as the basic material in batteries, ceramics, and other industrial applications, has been growing at a fast rate over the years. Here are some potential opportunities within this market::

1. Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Energy Storage: The growing demand for electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries for renewable energy storage necessitates Lithium Hydroxide which has been identified as a crucial component in lithium-ion batteries. Governments across the globe have started enforcing stringent measures on carbon emission and providing incentives for the use of electric vehicles. As a result, the demand for Lithium Hydroxide is highly likely to undergo a sharp increase.
2. Energy Sector: The transformation of energy sources to include wind turbines and solar panels as the new sources of energy requires energy storage systems that are efficient to avoid intermittent issues. The lithium-ion battery technology, based on Lithium Hydroxide, is the most popular in energy storage solutions for grid stabilization and backup power. As the renewable energy industry is expanding, Lithium Hydroxide, the main component in lithium-ion batteries, is also in high demand.
3. Consumer Electronics: The development of smartphones, tablets, laptops, and many other portable electronic devices that are driven by lithium-ion batteries has accelerated the demand for this type of batteries. With the ever-growing demand for devices with longer battery life and faster charging capabilities, manufacturers are obliged to use Lithium Hydroxide-based batteries as the majority of consumers are in search of these features.

Conclusion:

In the end, Lithium Hydroxide is the pioneer in the field of innovation and different industries such as battery technology and glass and ceramics production. The diversity and the irreplaceable role of lithium in the production of lithium-ion batteries guarantee its staying power in a techno-evolutionary world which is ever changing. As we are witnessing more and more development of renewable energy and the growth of electric vehicles, the need for Lithium Hydroxide is projected to have a significant increase. No doubt, this technology will play a critical role in the renewable energy storage solutions of the future. Lithium Hydroxide is a chemical that will help us build a greener and more efficient future, and it will be widely used in many fields.