Enhanced fluid-flow-field and electric-field synergistic interaction mechanism for lithium-ion separation in dilute solutions: A numerical analysis of electrochemically switched ion exchange system

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2025.04.004

Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 85 ›› Issue (9): 228-237.DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2025.04.004

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Enhanced fluid-flow-field and electric-field synergistic interaction mechanism for lithium-ion separation in dilute solutions: A numerical analysis of electrochemically switched ion exchange system

Kangjun Ji¹, Jingxuan Yang¹, Xuefeng Zhang¹, Mengbo Zhao¹, Xiao Du¹, Xiaogang Hao¹, Abuliti Abudula², Guoqing Guan^2,3

1. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China;
2. Faculty of Science and Engineering, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan;
3. Section of Renewable Energy, Institute of Regional Innovation (IRI), Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan

Received:2025-02-27 Revised:2025-03-30 Accepted:2025-04-01 Online:2025-04-24 Published:2025-09-28
Contact: Jingxuan Yang,E-mail:yangjingxuan@tyut.edu.cn;Xiaogang Hao,E-mail:xghao@tyut.edu.cn
Supported by:
This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22378285, 92475117 and U21A20303).

Enhanced fluid-flow-field and electric-field synergistic interaction mechanism for lithium-ion separation in dilute solutions: A numerical analysis of electrochemically switched ion exchange system

Kangjun Ji¹, Jingxuan Yang¹, Xuefeng Zhang¹, Mengbo Zhao¹, Xiao Du¹, Xiaogang Hao¹, Abuliti Abudula², Guoqing Guan^2,3

1. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China;
2. Faculty of Science and Engineering, Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan;
3. Section of Renewable Energy, Institute of Regional Innovation (IRI), Hirosaki University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan

通讯作者: Jingxuan Yang,E-mail:yangjingxuan@tyut.edu.cn;Xiaogang Hao,E-mail:xghao@tyut.edu.cn
基金资助:
This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22378285, 92475117 and U21A20303).

Abstract

Abstract: Electrochemically switched ion exchange (ESIX) is an effective technology for extracting high-value-added ions from dilute solutions. This study focuses on Li⁺ extraction by employing a comprehensive model to analyze interaction between fluidic dynamics, electric field and ion transport. The model combines Butler-Volmer equation modified by electroactive site concentration, Nernst-Planck equation and Navier-Stokes equation. It is found that the chamber width affects solution phase resistance, thereby altering the potential distribution and influencing the current distribution within the membrane. A narrow chamber increases current density in the solid phase of the membrane, enhancing Li⁺ extraction. The solution flow-field not only enhances convective transport but also increases the current density in the solid phase, promoting Li⁺ extraction. There is a synergistic effect between fluid-flow-field and electric-field for ion separation, which is only significant when the chamber width is greater than 2 mm. The synergistic mechanism differs from that in the capacitive deionization system. Therefore, the performance decline caused by a wide chamber can be compensated for by increasing the fluid-flow rate, utilizing the synergistic effect between the fluid-flow-field and electric-field to optimize the lithium extraction efficiency in the ESIX system.

Key words: Electrochemically switched ion exchange, Mass transfer and separation, Synergistic effect, Fluid-flow-field, Fluidic dynamics, Electric-field

摘要： Electrochemically switched ion exchange (ESIX) is an effective technology for extracting high-value-added ions from dilute solutions. This study focuses on Li⁺ extraction by employing a comprehensive model to analyze interaction between fluidic dynamics, electric field and ion transport. The model combines Butler-Volmer equation modified by electroactive site concentration, Nernst-Planck equation and Navier-Stokes equation. It is found that the chamber width affects solution phase resistance, thereby altering the potential distribution and influencing the current distribution within the membrane. A narrow chamber increases current density in the solid phase of the membrane, enhancing Li⁺ extraction. The solution flow-field not only enhances convective transport but also increases the current density in the solid phase, promoting Li⁺ extraction. There is a synergistic effect between fluid-flow-field and electric-field for ion separation, which is only significant when the chamber width is greater than 2 mm. The synergistic mechanism differs from that in the capacitive deionization system. Therefore, the performance decline caused by a wide chamber can be compensated for by increasing the fluid-flow rate, utilizing the synergistic effect between the fluid-flow-field and electric-field to optimize the lithium extraction efficiency in the ESIX system.

关键词: Electrochemically switched ion exchange, Mass transfer and separation, Synergistic effect, Fluid-flow-field, Fluidic dynamics, Electric-field

Kangjun Ji, Jingxuan Yang, Xuefeng Zhang, Mengbo Zhao, Xiao Du, Xiaogang Hao, Abuliti Abudula, Guoqing Guan. Enhanced fluid-flow-field and electric-field synergistic interaction mechanism for lithium-ion separation in dilute solutions: A numerical analysis of electrochemically switched ion exchange system[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2025, 85(9): 228-237.

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Enhanced fluid-flow-field and electric-field synergistic interaction mechanism for lithium-ion separation in dilute solutions: A numerical analysis of electrochemically switched ion exchange system

Enhanced fluid-flow-field and electric-field synergistic interaction mechanism for lithium-ion separation in dilute solutions: A numerical analysis of electrochemically switched ion exchange system

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