Abstract: Provided herein are assemblies and methods for calcium and/or other valuable element extraction. An assembly includes a dissolution tank defining an interior chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet, and a mixture outlet. The dissolution tank is configured to combine one or more substrates and a solvent into a mixture. The one or more substrates contain one or more target elements. The assembly optionally includes a sonic probe, a sonic plate, or both the sonic probe and the sonic plate. The assembly further optionally includes a membrane concentrator fluidically coupled to the mixture outlet of the dissolution tank. The assembly further includes a sequential electrolytic precipitation reactor fluidically coupled to the mixture outlet of the dissolution tank or the membrane concentrator, if present. Each precipitate outlet is configured to output a precipitate of the one or more target element.

Abstract: A system and method to precipitate calcium hydroxide at low temperatures (T<40° C.) using an electrolytic reactor with hydrodynamic separation. The calcium can be supplied by any calcium bearing material such as calcium carbonate or basalt rock, or from industrial wastes such as brine or steel slag. The solid feedstock undergoes dissolution, whereas the brine may be utilized as is. Once in solution, the feed stream is directed towards an electrolyzer reactor which comprises a cathode, an anode, and a membrane separator. At the cathode, or in a separate precipitation chamber, an alkaline catholyte solution containing calcium hydroxide (portlandite) and magnesium hydroxide (brucite) precipitates, and hydrogen gas is produced.

Abstract: Provided herein are assemblies and methods for lithium, magnesium, and/or calcium extraction. In various embodiments, an assembly includes a leaching tank defining an interior chamber having one or more inlets and one or more outlets. The leaching tank is configured to receive through the one or more inlets a mixture comprising a substrate having one or more target metals and a solvent. The assembly further includes a sonic probe positioned within the interior chamber, suspended in the solution, and/or a sonic plate configured to provide sonic energy to the mixture.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to zeolites comprising Al, Si, O, H, Na, K and Ca, wherein the zeolite advantageously comprises phillipsite and tobermorite phases. The present disclosure further provides methods of preparing the zeolites from a synthesis gel.