Application of vacuum membrane distillation process for lithium recovery in spent lithium ion batteries (LIBs) recycling process

The feasibility of using vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) for lithium recovery by concentrating the discharged leachate from spent lithium ion batteries (LIBs) recycling process was evaluated. The performance of VMD was compared with that of direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) in terms of water flux, concentration rate, membrane wetting, and economic feasibility. VMD achieved a higher volume concentration factor (VCF) of 45 compared to the VCF of 25 achieved by DCMD in the LiCl feed solution. In the Li₂SO₄ feed solution, VMD and DCMD were concentrated to VCF15 and VCF 17, respectively, before wetting occurred. The stability of the MD process was verified using feed solutions containing nickel and manganese, which are cathode materials that can cause scaling even at low concentrations. Low concentrations of nickel and manganese did not significantly affect the maximum VCF or wetting; however, high concentrations of nickel and manganese affected the stability of the MD process. VMD exhibited a higher flux and 32 % lower thermal energy consumption than DCMD. Furthermore, the expected cost of Li₂CO₃ production with VMD for leachate concentration was $8.31–10.65/kg. The VMD concentration process is a feasible option for recovering lithium from the discharged leachate from spent LIBs recycling process.