Patent attributes
Improvements in a lithium-ion extraction apparatus to extract lithium-ion from water and more specifically salt or brine water. The extraction of lithium-ion utilizing electromagnetic separation into a sorbent shortens the extraction time and minimizes environmental impact. The sorbent is typically a polymer that is in solution with the brine where direct contact with the brine water with the sorbent extracts lithium-ions. The fixed and magnetic field magnetic field increases the absorption in the sorbent by energizing the sorbent. The sorbent is in the form of porous beads that have selective lithium-ion affinity in a continuous solid-phase extraction process. The lithium-ion extraction apparatus includes fluid flow, agitation, pressure, and temperature control of the brine solution. The flow rate alters and controls the dwell time that the brine solution is in proximity to the electromagnets.