Search

WO-2026096774-A1 - HIGH-GRADIENT MAGNETIC FIELD FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSITION METAL SEPARATION AND RECOVERY

WO2026096774A1WO 2026096774 A1WO2026096774 A1WO 2026096774A1WO-2026096774-A1

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for the transport and separation of transition metal solutes using magnetic fields. A high-gradient magnetic field can be generated between the flat-faced poles of an electromagnet. The magnetic separation process can be enhanced by the aggregation of paramagnetic metal solutes into clusters, which are predicted to be two orders of magnitude larger than individual solute units.

Inventors

  • MOHAMMADIGOUSHKI, Hadi
  • HUMAYUN, Munir
  • SIEGRIST, THEO

Assignees

  • FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251030
Priority Date
20241030

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A method for separating metal solutes out of a solution, the method comprising: flowing the solution through a container that comprises a filter; applying a magnetic field to the container while the solution flows through the container, wherein at least one paramagnetic solute from the solution is captured on the filter; deactivating the magnetic field; and collecting the at least one paramagnetic solute from the filter.
  2. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field is a high-gradient magnetic field.
  3. 3. The method according to any of claims 1-2, wherein the container is a separation column.
  4. 4. The method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the solution comprises at least one diamagnetic solute.
  5. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the at least one diamagnetic solute is not captured on the filter.
  6. 6. The method according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the filter is a metal filter.
  7. 7. The method according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the filter is a magnetic mesh wool.
  8. 8. The method according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the filter is a stainless steel filter.
  9. 9. The method according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the flowing of the solution through the container comprises using a pump to flow the solution through the container.
  10. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the pump is a peristaltic pump.
  11. 11. The method according to any of claims 1-10, wherein a final concentration of the at least one paramagnetic solute in the solution after deactivating the magnetic field is no more than 90% of an initial concentration of the at least one paramagnetic solute in the solution before applying the magnetic field to the container.
  12. 12. The method according to any of claims 1-10, wherein a final concentration of the at least one paramagnetic solute in the solution after deactivating the magnetic field is in a range of from 50% to 90% of an initial concentration of the at least one paramagnetic solute in the solution before applying the magnetic field to the container.
  13. 13. A system for separating metal solutes out of a solution, the system comprising: a container that comprises a filter and that is configured to flow the solution therethrough; an electromagnet disposed around the container and configured to apply a magnetic field to the container while the solution flows through the container, such that at least one paramagnetic solute from the solution is captured on the filter; and a pump connected to the container and configured to flow the solution through the container.
  14. 14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the magnetic field is a high-gradient magnetic field.
  15. 15. The system according to any of claims 13-14, wherein the container is a separation column.
  16. 16. The system according to any of claims 13-15, wherein the filter is a metal filter.
  17. 17. The system according to any of claims 13-16, wherein the filter is a magnetic mesh wool.
  18. 18. The system according to any of claims 13-17, wherein the filter is a stainless steel filter.
  19. 19. The system according to any of claims 13-18, wherein the pump is a peristaltic pump.
  20. 20. The system according to any of claims 13-19, wherein the system is configured such that, after operation, a final concentration of the at least one paramagnetic solute in the solution after deactivating the magnetic field is no more than 90% of an initial concentration of the at least one paramagnetic solute in the solution before applying the magnetic field to the container.

Description

DESCRIPTION HIGH-GRADIENT MAGNETIC FIELD FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSITION METAL SEPARATION AND RECOVERY CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/713,917, filed October 30, 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, including all figures, tables, and drawings. BACKGROUND Following the discovery of Faraday on electromagnetism, magnetic separation has long been used as a technique to separate components of a mixture based on their magnetic properties [1], This method has found applications in a wide range of processes, from the nuclear industry, drug delivery, chemical kinetics, chemical separation, mining, water purification, the biochemical and medical fields [2-7], As the global economy shifts toward sustainable and renewable energy sources, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are increasingly used in nearly every electronic product. With the ever-growing need for LIB production, many millions of tons of LIBs will reach their end of life in the near future and, if not properly recycled, could potentially lead to a detrimental impact on natural resources, the supply chain, the environment, and energy conservation. In addition to LIBs, a wide range of electronic equipment contain critical metals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese, and a key challenge in their recycling is the effective separation of these metal solutes from mixed solutions. Current separation methods for these metals are costly, energy intensive, and cause significant environmental pollution [8-10], BRIEF SUMMARY In view of the challenges discussed in the Background section, there is a pressing need for greener and more environmentally friendly separation techniques. The critical metals found in spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and other electronic equipment display a wide range of magnetic susceptibilities, with some being paramagnetic and others diamagnetic. Magnetic separation presents an environmentally sustainable option by reducing waste, improving recycling efficiency, minimizing pollution, and conserving energy. These advantages make it J:\FSU\153CXPCT (23-074PR2CWO)\Application\Application - asfiled.docx/ke a promising alternative for recycling critical metals from end-of-life LIBs and other waste streams. Embodiments of the subject invention provide novel and advantageous systems and methods for the transport and separation of transition metal solutes using magnetic fields. A high-gradient magnetic field (or in some cases, a homogeneous magnetic field) can be generated between the flat-faced poles of an electromagnet. The magnetic separation process can be enhanced by the aggregation of paramagnetic metal solutes into clusters, which are predicted to be two orders of magnitude larger than individual solute units. In an embodiment, a method for separating metal solutes (e.g., transition metal solutes) out of a solution can comprise: flowing the solution through a container (e.g., a separation column) that comprises a filter; applying a magnetic field (e.g., a high-gradient magnetic field or a homogenous magnetic field) to the container while the solution flows through the container, where at least one paramagnetic solute (e.g., MnCh) from the solution is captured on the filter; deactivating the magnetic field; and collecting the at least one paramagnetic solute from the filter. The magnetic field is a high-gradient magnetic field. The solution can comprise at least one diamagnetic solute (e.g., ZnCh), and the at least one diamagnetic solute is not captured on the filter. The filter can be a metal filter, a magnetic filter (e.g., a magnetic mesh wool), and/or a stainless steel filter. The flowing of the solution through the container can comprise using a pump (e.g., a peristaltic pump) to flow the solution through the container. A final concentration of the at least one paramagnetic solute in the solution after deactivating the magnetic field can be, for example, no more than 90% (e.g., in a range of from 10% - 90%, such as from 50% - 90%) of an initial concentration of the at least one paramagnetic solute in the solution before applying the magnetic field to the container. In another embodiment, a system for separating metal solutes (e.g., transition metal solutes) out of a solution can comprise: a container (e.g., a separation column) that comprises a filter and that is configured to flow the solution therethrough; an electromagnet disposed around the container and configured to apply a magnetic field (e.g., a high-gradient magnetic field or a homogenous magnetic field) to the container while the solution flows through the container, such that at least one paramagnetic solute (e.g., MnCh) from the solution is captured on the filter; and a pump (e.g., a peristaltic pump) connected to the container and configured to flow the solution through the container. The filter can be a metal filter, a magnetic filter (e.g.,