Dennis Edward Howe

US Patent:

20200086271, Mar 19, 2020

Filed:

Nov 19, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/688967

Inventors:

- El Paso TX, US
Dennis L. Howe - The Woodlands TX, US
Brian J. Dougherty - Emeryville CA, US

Assignee:

All American Lithium LLC - El Paso TX

International Classification:

B01D 61/00
C01D 15/00
B01D 15/08

Abstract:

Systems, methods and apparatuses to concentrate lithium containing solutions using forward osmosis units are provided, which, for example, can include providing at least one forward osmosis unit having at least one lithium containing solution chamber having at least one first inlet and at least one first outlet, at least one brine chamber having at least one second inlet and at least one second outlet, and at least one selectively permeable membrane positioned between the at least one lithium containing solution chamber and the at least one brine chamber, and conveying a lithium containing solution through the at least one lithium containing solution chamber and a concentrated brine solution through the at least one brine chamber, said conveying causing water from the lithium containing solution to be drawn through the at least one selectively permeable membrane and into the concentrated brine solution, such that a concentrated lithium containing solution exits through the first outlet and a less concentrated brine solution exits through the second outlet.