In this work, usage
of a hybrid polymeric ion exchange resin and
a polymeric ion exchange membrane in the same unit to remove Li+from aqueous solutions was reported. The effects of the applied
potential difference to the electrodes, the flow rate of the Li-containing
solution, the presence of coexisting ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Ba2+, and Mg2+), and the
influence of the electrolyte concentration in the anode and cathode
chambers on Li+removal were investigated. At 20 V, 99%
of Li+was removed from the Li-containing solution. In
addition, a decrease in the flow rate of the Li-containing solution
from 2 to 1 L/h resulted in a decrease in the removal rate from 99
to 94%. Similar results were obtained when the concentration of Na2SO4was decreased from 0.01 to 0.005 M. The selectivity
test showed that the simultaneous presence of monovalent ions such
as Na+and K+did not change the removal rate
of Li+. However, the presence of divalent ions, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Ba2+, reduced the removal
rate of Li+. Under optimal conditions, the mass transport
coefficient of Li+was found as 5.39 × 10–4m/s, and the specific energy consumption was found as 106.2 W h/g
LiCl. Electrodeionization provided stable performance in terms of
the removal rate and transport of Li+from the central
compartment to the cathode compartment.