Salt splitting technology for circular economy and waste recovery

In an era marked by growing environmental challenges, the circular economy is emerging as a sustainable alternative to traditional linear models of production and consumption.
The circular economy seeks to make the most of resources, transforming by-products and discarded materials into valuable feedstock for new processes.

This paradigm shift not only conserves natural resources but also fosters advanced solutions to reduce pollution. One such innovation is electrochemical salt splitting, a process that embodies circular economy principles by converting waste salts into useful chemicals while simultaneously addressing issues like water contamination.

Electrochemical salt splitting uses electricity to separate salts into their constituent ions, producing valuable acids, bases and clean water at the same time.
⁠The process involves passing an electric current through a cell containing a salt solution. This causes the salt to dissociate into cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negatively charged ions), which are then directed to separate compartments within the electrochemical cell - toward the cathode and anode respectively - generating acids, bases, and purified water.

This is a versatile technology. It can be applied to salts such as magnesium sulfate or lithium sulfate, yielding magnesium or lithium hydroxide and sulfuric acid.
When powered by renewable energy sources, the system seamlessly integrates into a sustainable industrial supply chain.

One of the most impactful applications of electrochemical salt splitting is wastewater treatment and decontamination. Industrial processes often generate large volumes of saline wastewater loaded with dissolved salts, posing serious environmental and health risks. Traditional methods of handling saline sewage, such as evaporation or chemical precipitation, are energy-intensive and generate additional waste streams. Electrochemical salt splitting offers a cleaner, more efficient alternative.

Through this technique, pollutants can be removed by recovering acids and bases.

These chemicals can then be reused within the industrial process or sold as commercial products, effectively closing the loop on waste generation.

A key example of effective use of electrochemical salt splitting is in the pulp and paper industry. In fact, in this market, sodium sulfate, employed in the Kraft pulping process, is used for separating cellulose fibers from wood by dissolving lignin and other impurities. Specifically, this chemical acts as a catalyst enhancing the efficiency of the pulping process and enabling the production of high-quality pulp.
At the end of the process, sodium sulfate can be recovered from wastewater, eliminating the need to dispose of large quantities of salt-contaminated fluids.

One of the most promising applications of electrochemical salt splitting is in the recovery of lithium from its solutions, such as those generated as industrial by-products.
Lithium ions can be isolated from complex mixtures through selective ion transport and targeted electrochemical reactions. Once separated, lithium compounds like lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate can be reutilized for battery manufacturing, for example.
This method offers a cleaner and potentially more cost-effective alternative to traditional lithium extraction techniques, which often involve intensive chemical processing and environmental degradation.

Electrochemical salt splitting aligns with the principles of the circular economy, accelerating its adoption across industries. By extracting value from waste and promoting the reuse of resources, this technology represents a paradigm shift in how we view and handle industrial by-products.
Furthermore, its integration with renewable energy sources and advancements in membrane technologies promises to enhance efficiency and scalability, making it a viable solution for global climate challenges such as wastewater treatment and recovery of critical raw materials.

In conclusion, innovations like electrochemical salt splitting underscore the potential to turn waste into wealth. Through its dual role in resource recovery and environmental preservation, this process highlights the transformative power of the circular economy in building a cleaner, greener future.