Abstract: Adsorptive membranes with sponge-like structures for direct recovery of lithium from geothermal brines and recycling of water from geothermal evaporation ponds are disclosed. The membrane surfaces are functionalized with task-specific chemicals capable of selective separation of lithium through host-guest complexation mechanism. The sponge-like structure provides high surface area resulting in an enhanced lithium adsorption capacity. The technology disclosed here aims to reduce the time required for lithium enrichment by evaporative concentration of geothermal brines and address the water loss problem thereof through enhanced solar-driven recycling of water.

Abstract: Methods for separating and recovering Mn, Co, and Ni from leach solutions include selectively recovering and producing high purity products of Mn, Co, and Ni from leach solutions, combining staged precipitation, sulfide precipitation, and solvent extraction to separate contaminants from the leach solution to isolate and recover Mn, Co, and Ni in high yield and purity.

Abstract: A method for recovering valuable elements from pre-combustion coal-based materials includes the steps of grinding the materials to a predetermined size, roasting the ground materials at a temperature of 600° C.-700° C. for a predetermined residence time needed for mineral decomposition, submerging the roasted, ground materials in a solution of lixiviant, filtering the lixiviant solution to separate residual solids from a pregnant leach solution including the valuable elements and recovering and concentrating the valuable elements from the pregnant leach solution.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat and power generation includes a combustor, operating at a temperature of 500-900° C., a leach tank downstream from the combustor, producing a valuable element solution from combustion by-products and a valuable element recovery apparatus configured to recover the valuable elements from the valuable element solution.

Abstract: A method for recovering valuable elements from pre-combustion coal-based materials includes the steps of grinding the materials to a predetermined size, roasting the ground materials at a temperature of 600° C.-700° C. for a predetermined residence time needed for mineral decomposition, submerging the roasted, ground materials in a solution of lixiviant, filtering the lixiviant solution to separate residual solids from a pregnant leach solution including the valuable elements and recovering and concentrating the valuable elements from the pregnant leach solution.