A scalable extraction column utilizing discrete liquid films for lithium recovery from salt lake brines

Liquid-film-based liquid-liquid extraction enhances mass transfer compared to droplet-based extraction (Chang et al., Ind Eng Chem Res, 62 (2023), 17297-17305). This new technique forms discrete liquid films by directing the dispersed phase flowing along a single wire immersed in the continuous phase. To showcase its scalability, this communication paper introduces a multi-wire column for lithium recovery from salt lake brines using a mixed extractant as an organic phase. Housing up to 19 vertically oriented wires, the column demonstrates excellent scalability and outperforms conventional packed and spray columns. These characteristics make it a promising candidate for efficient industrial-scale lithium extraction.