Dynamic adsorption and elution performances of H2TiO3-lithium adsorbent loaded on ceramic foams

Abstract:

H2TiO3-lithium adsorbent was loaded on cordierite-based ceramic foams by the sol-gel process. The adsorption and elution of Li+ by the obtained samples were studied with the ion exchange columns via the dynamic process. The effects of liquid flow speed, Li+ concentration and single column/multi columns on the adsorption capacity and enrichment factor of Li+ were studied. The results indicate that it needs a long time for the lithium adsorbent loaded on ceramic foams to reach the leakage, and the adsorbent has a high operational adsorption capacity. In a certain range, flow rate of the eluent does not affect enrichment factor of Li+ apparently. The adsorbent does not have the ability to enrich Li+ with a high concentration. However, it is capable for the adsorbent to enrich a low level of Li+. The enrichment factor of Li+ can at least reach 26.55 times by adding hydrochloric acid to adjust pH of the effluent liquid to equal to that of the original eluent and using the obtained liquid as the eluent repeatedly.

Key words:Ceramic foams; H2TiO3-lithium adsorbent; Dynamic adsorption; Dynamic elution; Enrichment factor