Aqua Metals Inc.

Terralithium LLC

Brian J Dougherty

Robert Lewis Clarke

Stephen R Clarke

Michael David Hurwitz

Michael John King

Stephen Harrison

Samaresh Mohanta

Richard H Clarke

Dennis L Howe

Systems and methods for recovery of lithium and various non-lithium components from lithium ion battery waste materials are presented in which all components are first leached into a leach solution. Non-lithium components are adsorbed to an ion exchange resin, and unbound lithium passes through and precipitated from the pass through fraction. The bound non-lithium components are then sequentially desorbed and preferably electrolytically recovered as metals.

Systems and methods for metal recovery from lithium ion batteries

Lead from lead acid battery scrap is recovered in two separate production streams as clean grid lead and as high-purity lead without smelting. In preferred aspects, lead recovery is performed in a continuous process that uses an aqueous electroprocessing solvent and electro-refining. Spent electroprocessing solvent and/or base utilized to treat lead paste from the lead acid battery scrap can be recycled to the recovery process.

Devices and method for smelterless recycling of lead acid batteries

Systems, methods and apparatuses to concentrate lithium containing solutions using forward osmosis units are provided, which, for example, can include providing at least one forward osmosis unit having at least one lithium containing solution chamber having at least one first inlet and at least one first outlet, at least one brine chamber having at least one second inlet and at least one second outlet, and at least one selectively permeable membrane positioned between the at least one lithium containing solution chamber and the at least one brine chamber, and conveying a lithium containing solution through the at least one lithium containing solution chamber and a concentrated brine solution through the at least one brine chamber, said conveying causing water from the lithium containing solution to be drawn through the at least one selectively permeable membrane and into the concentrated brine solution, such that a concentrated lithium containing solution exits through the first outlet and a less concentrated brine solution exits through the second outlet.

Processes for producing lithium compounds using forward osmosis

Provided are methods of extracting lithium from a lithium containing solution, as well as the resulting compositions. The method includes supplying a lithium containing solution to a lithium capture step, the lithium capture step being operable to capture lithium from the lithium salt containing solution. The method further includes recovering lithium from the lithium capture step to produce a lithium rich stream. In especially preferred methods, the lithium capture step is performed to increase the lithium to sodium ratio above at least 1:1. Optionally, the lithium rich stream can be purified to remove divalent ions and borate ions. The lithium rich stream is then concentrated by supplying the lithium rich stream to a reverse osmosis step to produce a concentrated lithium rich stream.

Processes for producing lithium compounds using reverse osmosis

Lead is recovered from lead paste of a lead acid battery in a continuous process. The lead paste is contacted with a base to generate a supernatant and a precipitate. The precipitate is separated from the supernatant, and is contacted with an alkane sulfonic acid to generate a mixture of lead ion solution and insoluble lead dioxide. The lead dioxide is reduced with a reducing agent to form lead oxide, and the lead oxide is combined with the lead ion solution to form a combined lead ion solution to so allow a continuous process without lead dioxide accumulation. Lead is recovered from the combined lead ion solution using electrolysis.

Systems and methods for recovery of lead from lead acid batteries

A closed loop electrochemical process of recovery of high-purity lead uses continuous formation of adherent lead on a cathode from an electrolyte that is used to dissolve desulfated lead paste. Preferred cathodes include aluminum containing cathodes that are operated in methane sulfonic acid to produce a micro- or nanoporous mixed matrix metallic composition and lead dioxide formation at the anode is avoided using appropriate anode configurations or operating conditions

Closed loop systems and methods for recycling lead acid batteries

The inventive subject matter is directed to continuous electrochemical production of highly pure micro- or nanostructured lead that at least partially encloses the electroprocessing solvent and molecular hydrogen and optional guest compounds to form a mixed matrix. Such compositions are particularly suitable for cold forming of various structures and/or for alloy and composite material production.

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Emeryville, CA, United States of America

Brian J Dougherty