Integrated system for lithium extraction and conversion

Abstract

The present invention relates to the extraction of lithium from liquid resources, such as natural and synthetic brines, leachate solutions from clays and minerals, and recycled products.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An integrated process for generating a purified lithium concentrate from a liquid resource, comprising:
 a) providing an ion exchange unit, wherein said ion exchange unit comprises an ion exchange material;   b) contacting said ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit with said liquid resource, wherein hydrogen ions from said ion exchange material are exchanged with lithium ions from said liquid resource to produce a lithium-enriched ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit;   c) treating said lithium-enriched ion exchange material with an acid solution, wherein said lithium ions from said lithium-enriched ion exchange material are exchanged with hydrogen ions from said acid solution to produce a lithium eluate;   d) providing a membrane cell in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit, wherein said membrane cell comprises (i) a first compartment containing an electrochemically reducing electrode, (ii) a second compartment containing an electrochemically oxidizing electrode, and (iii) an ion-conducting membrane separating said first compartment from said second compartment;   e) passing said lithium eluate to said membrane cell;   f) subjecting said lithium eluate in said membrane cell to an electric current, wherein said electric current causes electrolysis of said lithium eluate to produce an acidified solution and said purified lithium concentrate; and   g) recycling said acidified solution from said membrane cell to said ion exchange unit of c).   
     
     
         2 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said lithium-enriched ion exchange material is treated in said ion exchange unit. 
     
     
         3 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said lithium eluate is produced in said ion exchange unit. 
     
     
         4 . The integrated process of  claim 3 , wherein said lithium eluate is passed from said ion exchange unit to said membrane cell. 
     
     
         5 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein prior to b), said ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit is treated with an acid solution to produce a hydrogen-enriched ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit. 
     
     
         6 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein b) further comprises pH modulation, wherein said pH modulation maintains an equilibrium in favor of hydrogen ions from said hydrogen-rich ion exchange material being exchanged with lithium ions from said liquid resource. 
     
     
         7 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said process further comprises treating said lithium-enriched ion exchange material with a base in addition to said acid solution. 
     
     
         8 . The integrated process of  claim 7 , wherein the base is Ca(OH) 2  or NaOH. 
     
     
         9 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said process further comprises providing a reverse osmosis unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit and said membrane cell, and said reverse osmosis unit comprises a water-permeable membrane. 
     
     
         10 . The integrated process of  claim 9 , wherein prior to d), said lithium eluate is passed into said reverse osmosis unit contacting said water-permeable membrane, and wherein water molecules from said lithium eluate pass through said water-permeable membrane to produce water and a concentrated lithium eluate. 
     
     
         11 . The integrated process of  claim 10 , wherein said concentrated lithium eluate is further subjected to d) to g). 
     
     
         12 . The integrated process of  claim 9 , wherein said water-permeable membrane comprises polyamide, aromatic polyamide, polyvinylamine, polypyrrolidine, polyfuran, polyethersulfone, polysulfone, polypiperzine-amide, polybenzimidazoline, polyoxadiazole, acetylated cellulose, cellulose, a polymer with alternative functionalization of sulfonation, carboxylation, phosphorylation, or combinations thereof, other polymeric layer, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The integrated process of  claim 9  or  claim 12 , wherein said water-permeable membrane further comprises a fabric, polymeric, composite, or metal support. 
     
     
         14 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said process further comprises providing a thermal evaporation unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit and said membrane cell, and said thermal evaporation unit comprises a heating element. 
     
     
         15 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said process further comprises providing a purification unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit and said membrane cell. 
     
     
         16 . The integrated process of  15 , wherein prior to d), said lithium eluate is passed into said purification unit to produce a purified lithium concentrate. 
     
     
         17 . The integrated process of  16 , wherein said purified lithium concentrate is further subjected to d) to g). 
     
     
         18 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said process further comprises providing a crystallizer in fluid communication with said membrane cell. 
     
     
         19 . The integrated process of  claim 18 , wherein said lithium eluate is passed into said crystallizer. 
     
     
         20 . The integrated process of  claim 19 , wherein said lithium eluate is processed by said crystallizer to produce a lithium salt. 
     
     
         21 . The integrated process of  claim 20 , wherein said lithium salt is lithium carbonate, lithium bicarbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, lithium bromide, lithium sulfate, lithium bisulfate, lithium phosphate, lithium hydrogen phosphate, lithium dihydrogen phosphate, or lithium nitrate. 
     
     
         22 . The integrated process of  claim 20 , wherein said lithium salt is in a solid, an aqueous solution, or slurry. 
     
     
         23 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid resource is a natural brine, a dissolved salt flat, seawater, concentrated seawater, a desalination effluent, a concentrated brine, a processed brine, an oilfield brine, a liquid from an ion exchange process, a liquid from a solvent extraction process, a synthetic brine, a leachate from an ore or combination of ores, a leachate from a mineral or combination of minerals, a leachate from a clay or combination of clays, a leachate from recycled products, a leachate from recycled materials, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said ion exchange material is selected from the group consisting of LiFePO 4 , LiMnPO 4 , Li 2 MO 3  (M=Ti, Mn, Sn), Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 , Li 4 Mn 5 O 12 , LiMn 2 O 4 , Li 1.6 Mn 1.6 O 4 , LiMO 2  (M=Al, Cu, Ti), Li 4 TiO 4 , Li 7 Ti 11 O 24 , Li 3 VO 4 , Li 2 Si 3 O 7 , Li 2 CuP 2 O 7 , Al(OH) 3 , LiCl.xAl(OH) 3 .yH 2 O, SnO 2 .xSb 2 O 5 .yH 2 O, TiO 2 .xSb 2 O 5 .yH 2 O, solid solutions thereof, or combinations thereof; wherein x is from 0.1-10 and y is from 0.1-10. 
     
     
         25 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said ion exchange material comprises coated ion exchange particles, uncoated ion exchange particles, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The integrated process of  claim 25 , wherein said coated ion exchange particles comprises a polymer coating. 
     
     
         27 . The integrated process of  claim 25 , wherein said coating of said coated ion exchange particles comprise a chloro-polymer, a fluoro-polymer, a chloro-fluoro-polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, a hydrophobic polymer, co-polymers thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said ion exchange material is a porous ion exchange material. 
     
     
         29 . The integrated process of  claim 28 , wherein said ion exchange material is in the form of porous beads. 
     
     
         30 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said ion exchange material is in a powder or slurry form. 
     
     
         31 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said acid solution is a solution of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrobromic acid, chloric acid, perchloric acid, nitric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said ion-conducting membrane is a cation-conducting membrane or an anion-conducting membrane. 
     
     
         33 . The integrated process of  claim 32 , wherein said cation-conducting membrane or said anion-conducting membrane comprises sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer, sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene, sulfonated fluoropolymer, MK-40, co-polymers, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The integrated process of  claim 32 , wherein said anion-conducting membrane comprises a functionalized polymer structure. 
     
     
         35 . The integrated process of  claim 34 , wherein said polymer structure comprises polyarylene ethers, polysulfones, polyether ketones, polyphenylenes, perfluorinated polymers, polybenzimidazole, polyepichlorohydrins, unsaturated polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinylbenzyl chlorides, polyphosphazenes, polyvinyl alcohol, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, alterations of these polymers or other kinds of polymers, or composites thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The integrated process of  claim 32 , wherein said cation-conducting membrane allows for transfer of lithium ions but prevents transfer of anion groups. 
     
     
         37 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said ion-conducting membrane has a thickness from about 1 μm to about 1000 μm. 
     
     
         38 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said ion-conducting membrane has a thickness from about 1 mm to about 10 mm. 
     
     
         39 . The integrated process of  claim 1 , wherein said electrodes are comprised of titanium, niobium, zirconium, tantalum, magnesium, titanium dioxide, oxides thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         40 . The integrated process of  claim 39 , wherein said electrodes further comprise a coating of platinum, TiO 2 , ZrO 2 , Nb 2 O 5 , Ta 2 O 5 , SnO 2 , IrO 2 , RuO 2 , mixed metal oxides, graphene, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         41 . An integrated process for generating a purified lithium salt from a liquid resource, comprising:
 a) providing an ion exchange unit, wherein said ion exchange unit comprises an ion exchange material;   b) contacting said ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit with said liquid resource, wherein hydrogen ions from said ion exchange material are exchanged with lithium ions from said liquid resource to produce a lithium-enriched ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit;   c) treating said lithium-enriched ion exchange material with an acid solution, wherein said lithium ions from said lithium-enriched ion exchange material are exchanged with hydrogen ions from said acid solution to produce a lithium eluate;   d) providing a chemical precipitation unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit, wherein said chemical precipitation unit is capable of facilitating the treatment of said lithium eluate to precipitate said purified lithium salt;   e) passing said lithium eluate in said ion exchange unit to said chemical precipitation unit; and   f) treating said lithium eluate in said chemical precipitation unit to produce said purified lithium salt.   
     
     
         42 . The integrated process of  claim 41 , wherein said purified lithium salt is LiCl. 
     
     
         43 . The integrated process of  claim 42 , further comprising treating said LiCl with Na 2 CO 3  to produce Li 2 CO 3 . 
     
     
         44 . The integrated process of  claim 42 , wherein said chemical precipitation unit distills off a mixture comprising HCl. 
     
     
         45 . The integrated process of  claim 44 , wherein said HCl is recycled into c). 
     
     
         46 . The integrated process of  claim 41 , wherein said purified lithium salt is Li 2 SO 4 . 
     
     
         47 . The integrated process of  claim 46 , further comprising treating said Li 2 SO 4  with Na 2 CO 3  to produce Li 2 CO 3 . 
     
     
         48 . The integrated process of  claim 41 , wherein said purified lithium salt is treated with Na 2 CO 3  in said chemical precipitation unit to produce Li 2 CO 3 . 
     
     
         49 . The integrated process of  claim 41 , wherein said lithium-enriched ion exchange material is treated in said ion exchange unit. 
     
     
         50 . The integrated process of  claim 41 , wherein said lithium eluate is produced in said ion exchange unit. 
     
     
         51 . The integrated process of  claim 41 , wherein said lithium eluate is passed from said ion exchange unit to said chemical precipitation unit. 
     
     
         52 . The integrated process of  claim 41 , wherein prior to b), said ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit is treated with an acid solution to produce a hydrogen-enriched ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit. 
     
     
         53 . The integrated process of  claim 41 , wherein b) further comprises pH modulation, wherein said pH modulation maintains an equilibrium in favor of hydrogen ions from said hydrogen-rich ion exchange material being exchanged with lithium ions from said liquid resource. 
     
     
         54 . The integrated process of  claim 41 , wherein said lithium eluate solution is purified by addition of an alkali or alkali earth hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate, combination thereof, or NH 3  to precipitate impurities as basic precipitates. 
     
     
         55 . The integrated process of  claim 54 , wherein said alkaline or alkaline earth hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate is selected from LiOH, NaOH, KOH, Ca(OH) 2 , Li 2 CO 3 , Na 2 CO 3 , K 2 CO 3 , CaCO 3  or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         56 . The integrated process of  claim 54  or  claim 55 , wherein said basic precipitates are recycled to b) for pH modulation. 
     
     
         57 . The integrated process of  claim 41 , wherein said ion exchange material comprises coated ion exchange particles, uncoated ion exchange particles, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         58 . The integrated process of  claim 57 , wherein said coated ion exchange particles comprise a polymer coating. 
     
     
         59 . The integrated process of  claim 58 , wherein said coating of said coated ion exchange particles comprise a chloro-polymer, a fluoro-polymer, a chloro-fluoro-polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, a hydrophobic polymer, co-polymers thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         60 . An integrated system for generating a purified lithium concentrate from a liquid resource, comprising:
 a) an ion exchange unit, wherein said ion exchange unit comprises an ion exchange material, and wherein said ion exchange unit allows:
 (i) said ion exchange material to contact said liquid resource to produce a lithium-enriched ion exchange material; and 
 (ii) said lithium-enriched ion exchange material to be treated by an acidified solution; 
   b) a membrane cell, wherein said membrane cell comprises (i) a first compartment containing an electrochemically reducing electrode, (ii) a second compartment containing an electrochemically oxidizing electrode, and (iii) an ion-conducting membrane separating said first compartment from said second compartment; and   c) a recycling loop capable of transporting said acidified solution from said membrane cell to said ion exchange unit;   wherein said ion exchange unit, said membrane cell, and said recycling system are in fluid communication.   
     
     
         61 . The integrated system of  claim 60 , wherein said system further comprises a reverse osmosis unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit and said membrane cell, and said reverse osmosis unit comprises a water-permeable membrane. 
     
     
         62 . The integrated system of  claim 61 , wherein said water-permeable membrane comprises polyamide, aromatic polyamide, polyvinylamine, polypyrrolidine, polyfuran, polyethersulfone, polysulfone, polypiperzine-amide, polybenzimidazoline, polyoxadiazole, acetylated cellulose, cellulose, a polymer with alternative functionalization of sulfonation, carboxylation, phosphorylation, or combinations thereof, other polymeric layer, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         63 . The integrated system of  claim 61  or  claim 62 , wherein said water-permeable membrane further comprises a fabric, polymeric, composite, or metal support. 
     
     
         64 . The integrated system of  claim 60 , wherein said system further comprises a thermal evaporation unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit and said membrane cell, and said thermal evaporation unit comprises a heating element. 
     
     
         65 . The integrated system of  claim 60 , wherein said system further comprises a purification unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit and said membrane cell. 
     
     
         66 . The integrated system of  claim 60 , wherein said system further comprises a crystallizer in fluid communication with said membrane cell. 
     
     
         67 . The integrated system of  claim 60 , wherein said liquid resource is a natural brine, a dissolved salt flat, seawater, concentrated seawater, a desalination effluent, a concentrated brine, a processed brine, an oilfield brine, a liquid from an ion exchange process, a liquid from a solvent extraction process, a synthetic brine, a leachate from an ore or combination of ores, a leachate from a mineral or combination of minerals, a leachate from a clay or combination of clays, a leachate from recycled products, a leachate from recycled materials, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         68 . The integrated system of  claim 60 , wherein said ion exchange material is selected from the group consisting of LiFePO 4 , LiMnPO 4 , Li 2 MO 3  (M=Ti, Mn, Sn), Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 , Li 4 Mn 5 O 12 , LiMn 2 O 4 , Li 1.6 Mn 1.6 O 4 , LiMO 2  (M=Al, Cu, Ti), Li 4 TiO 4 , Li 7 Ti 11 O 24 , Li 3 VO 4 , Li 2 Si 3 O 7 , Li 2 CuP 2 O 7 , Al(OH) 3 , LiCl.xAl(OH) 3 .yH 2 O, SnO 2 .xSb 2 O 5 .yH 2 O, TiO 2 .xSb 2 O 5 .yH 2 O, solid solutions thereof, or combinations thereof; wherein x is from 0.1-10 and y is from 0.1-10. 
     
     
         69 . The integrated system of  claim 60 , wherein said ion exchange material comprises coated ion exchange particles, uncoated ion exchange particles, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         70 . The integrated process of  claim 69 , wherein said coated ion exchange particles comprises a polymer coating. 
     
     
         71 . The integrated process of  claim 70 , wherein said coating of said coated ion exchange particles comprise a chloro-polymer, a fluoro-polymer, a chloro-fluoro-polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, a hydrophobic polymer, co-polymers thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         72 . The integrated system of  claim 60 , wherein said ion exchange material is a porous ion exchange material. 
     
     
         73 . The integrated system of  claim 60 , wherein said ion exchange material is in the form of porous beads. 
     
     
         74 . The integrated system of  claim 60 , wherein said ion exchange material is in a powder form. 
     
     
         75 . The integrated system of  claim 60 , wherein said acidified solution is a solution of H 2 SO 4  or HCl. 
     
     
         76 . An integrated system for generating a purified lithium salt from a liquid resource, comprising:
 a) an ion exchange unit, wherein said ion exchange unit comprises an ion exchange material, and said ion exchange material allows for:
 (i) said ion exchange material to contact said liquid resource to produce a lithium-enriched ion exchange material; and 
 (ii) said lithium-enriched ion exchange material to be treated by an acidified solution to produce a lithium eluate solution; 
   b) an acid recovery unit wherein acid is recovered from said lithium eluate solution, and optionally recycled to said ion exchange unit; and   c) a chemical precipitation unit;   wherein said ion exchange unit, said acid recovery unit, and said chemical precipitation unit are in fluid communication.   
     
     
         77 . The integrated system of  claim 76 , wherein said system further comprises a reverse osmosis unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit, said acid recovery unit, and said chemical precipitation unit, and said reverse osmosis unit comprises a water-permeable membrane. 
     
     
         78 . The integrated system of  claim 77 , wherein said water-permeable membrane comprises polyamide, aromatic polyamide, polyvinylamine, polypyrrolidine, polyfuran, polyethersulfone, polysulfone, polypiperzine-amide, polybenzimidazoline, polyoxadiazole, acetylated cellulose, cellulose, a polymer with alternative functionalization of sulfonation, carboxylation, phosphorylation, or combinations thereof, other polymeric layer, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         79 . The integrated system of  claim 77  or  claim 78 , wherein said water-permeable membrane further comprises a fabric, polymeric, composite, or metal support. 
     
     
         80 . The integrated system of  claim 76 , wherein said system further comprises a thermal evaporation unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit and said membrane cell, and said thermal evaporation unit comprises a heating element. 
     
     
         81 . The integrated system of  claim 76 , wherein said system further comprises a purification unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit and said membrane cell. 
     
     
         82 . The integrated system of  claim 76 , wherein said system further comprises a carbonation unit for precipitating Li 2 CO 3  by addition of Na 2 CO 3  to said lithium eluate solution. 
     
     
         83 . The integrated system of  claim 76  or  claim 82 , wherein said system further comprises a bicarbonation unit for purifying Li 2 CO 3  through addition of CO 2 . 
     
     
         84 . The integrated system of  claim 76 , wherein said liquid resource is a natural brine, a dissolved salt flat, seawater, concentrated seawater, a desalination effluent, a concentrated brine, a processed brine, an oilfield brine, a liquid from an ion exchange process, a liquid from a solvent extraction process, a synthetic brine, a leachate from an ore or combination of ores, a leachate from a mineral or combination of minerals, a leachate from a clay or combination of clays, a leachate from recycled products, a leachate from recycled materials, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         85 . The integrated system of  claim 76 , wherein said ion exchange material is selected from the group consisting of LiFePO 4 , LiMnPO 4 , Li 2 MO 3  (M=Ti, Mn, Sn), Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 , Li 4 Mn 5 O 12 , LiMn 2 O 4 , Li 1.6 Mn 1.6 O 4 , LiMO 2  (M=Al, Cu, Ti), Li 4 TiO 4 , Li 7 Ti 11 O 24 , Li 3 VO 4 , Li 2 Si 3 O 7 , Li 2 CuP 2 O 7 , Al(OH) 3 , LiCl.xAl(OH) 3 .yH 2 O, SnO 2 .xSb 2 O 5 .yH 2 O, TiO 2 .xSb 2 O 5 .yH 2 O, solid solutions thereof, or combinations thereof; wherein x is from 0.1-10 and y is from 0.1-10. 
     
     
         86 . The integrated system of  claim 76 , wherein said ion exchange material comprises coated ion exchange particles, uncoated ion exchange particles, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         87 . The integrated process of  claim 86 , wherein said coated ion exchange particles comprises a polymer coating. 
     
     
         88 . The integrated process of  claim 87 , wherein said coating of said coated ion exchange particles comprise a chloro-polymer, a fluoro-polymer, a chloro-fluoro-polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, a hydrophobic polymer, co-polymers thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         89 . The integrated system of  claim 76 , wherein said ion exchange material is a porous ion exchange material. 
     
     
         90 . The integrated system of  claim 76 , wherein said ion exchange material is in the form of porous beads. 
     
     
         91 . The integrated system of  claim 76 , wherein said ion exchange material is in a powder form. 
     
     
         92 . The integrated system of  claim 76 , wherein said acid solution is a solution of H 2 SO 4  or HCl. 
     
     
         93 . An integrated process for generating a purified lithium salt from a liquid resource, comprising:
 a) providing an ion exchange unit, wherein said ion exchange unit comprises an ion exchange material;   b) contacting said ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit with said liquid resource, wherein hydrogen ions from said ion exchange material are exchanged with lithium ions from said liquid resource to produce a lithium-enriched ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit;   c) treating said lithium-enriched ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit with an acid solution, wherein said lithium ions from said lithium-enriched ion exchange material are exchanged with hydrogen ions from said acid solution to produce a lithium eluate;   d) providing a electrochemical cell in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit, wherein said electrochemical cell comprises (i) a first electrode that is electrochemically reducing electrode, (ii) a second electrode that is electrochemically oxidizing, and (iii) an ion-conducting solution separating said first electrode from said second electrode;   e) passing said lithium eluate to said electrochemical cell;   f) subjecting said lithium eluate in said electrochemical cell to an electric current, wherein said electric current causes electrolysis of said lithium eluate to produce an acidified solution and a lithium salt solution;   g) crystallization of said lithium salt solution to form said purified lithium salt; and   h) recycling said acidified solution from said electrochemical cell to said ion exchange unit of c).   
     
     
         94 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said lithium-enriched ion exchange material is treated in said ion exchange unit. 
     
     
         95 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said lithium eluate is produced in said ion exchange unit. 
     
     
         96 . The integrated process of  claim 95 , wherein said lithium eluate is passed from said ion exchange unit to said electrochemical cell. 
     
     
         97 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein prior to b), said ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit is treated with an acid solution to produce a hydrogen-enriched ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit. 
     
     
         98 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein b) further comprises pH modulation, wherein said pH modulation maintains an equilibrium in favor of hydrogen ions from said hydrogen-rich ion exchange material being exchanged with lithium ions from said liquid resource. 
     
     
         99 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said process further comprises providing a reverse osmosis unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit and said electrochemical cell, and said reverse osmosis unit comprises a water-permeable membrane. 
     
     
         100 . The integrated process of  claim 99 , wherein prior to d), said lithium eluate is passed into said reverse osmosis unit contacting said water-permeable membrane, and wherein water molecules from said lithium eluate pass through said water-permeable membrane to produce water and a concentrated lithium eluate. 
     
     
         101 . The integrated process of  claim 100 , wherein said concentrated lithium eluate is further subjected to d) to h). 
     
     
         102 . The integrated process of  claim 99 , wherein said water-permeable membrane comprises polyamide, aromatic polyamide, polyvinylamine, polypyrrolidine, polyfuran, polyethersulfone, polysulfone, polypiperzine-amide, polybenzimidazoline, polyoxadiazole, acetylated cellulose, cellulose, a polymer with alternative functionalization of sulfonation, carboxylation, phosphorylation, or combinations thereof, other polymeric layer, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         103 . The integrated process of  claim 99 , wherein said water-permeable membrane further comprises a fabric, polymeric, composite, or metal support. 
     
     
         104 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said process further comprises providing a thermal evaporation unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit and said electrochemical cell, and said thermal evaporation unit comprises a heating element. 
     
     
         105 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said process further comprises providing a purification unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit and said electrochemical cell. 
     
     
         106 . The integrated process of  105 , wherein prior to d), said lithium eluate is passed into said purification unit to produce a purified lithium concentrate. 
     
     
         107 . The integrated process of  106 , wherein said purified lithium concentrate is further subjected to d) to h). 
     
     
         108 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said process further comprises providing a crystallizer in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit and said electrochemical cell. 
     
     
         109 . The integrated process of  claim 108 , wherein prior to d), said lithium eluate is passed into said crystallizer to produce a lithium salt. 
     
     
         110 . The integrated process of  claim 109 , wherein said lithium salt is lithium carbonate, lithium bicarbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, lithium bromide, lithium sulfate, lithium bisulfate, lithium phosphate, lithium hydrogen phosphate, lithium dihydrogen phosphate, or lithium nitrate. 
     
     
         111 . The integrated process of  claim 109 , wherein said lithium salt is lithium carbonate. 
     
     
         112 . The integrated process of  claim 109 , wherein said lithium salt is lithium hydroxide. 
     
     
         113 . The integrated process of  claim 109 , wherein said lithium salt is in a solid, an aqueous solution, or slurry. 
     
     
         114 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said liquid resource is a natural brine, a dissolved salt flat, seawater, concentrated seawater, a desalination effluent, a concentrated brine, a processed brine, an oilfield brine, a liquid from an ion exchange process, a liquid from a solvent extraction process, a synthetic brine, a leachate from an ore or combination of ores, a leachate from a mineral or combination of minerals, a leachate from a clay or combination of clays, a leachate from recycled products, a leachate from recycled materials, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         115 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said ion exchange material is selected from the group consisting of LiFePO 4 , LiMnPO 4 , Li 2 MO 3  (M=Ti, Mn, Sn), Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 , Li 4 Mn 5 O 12 , LiMn 2 O 4 , Li 1.6 Mn 1.6 O 4 , LiMO 2  (M=Al, Cu, Ti), Li 4 TiO 4 , Li 7 Ti 11 O 24 , Li 3 VO 4 , Li 2 Si 3 O 7 , or Li 2 CuP 2 O 7 . 
     
     
         116 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said ion exchange material comprises coated ion exchange particles, uncoated ion exchange particles, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         117 . The integrated process of  claim 116 , wherein said coated ion exchange particles comprises a polymer coating. 
     
     
         118 . The integrated process of  claim 117 , wherein said coating of said coated ion exchange particles comprise a chloro-polymer, a fluoro-polymer, a chloro-fluoro-polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, a hydrophobic polymer, co-polymers thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         119 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said ion exchange material comprises coated ion exchange particles. 
     
     
         120 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said ion exchange material is in a powder or slurry form. 
     
     
         121 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said acid solution is a solution of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrobromic acid, chloric acid, perchloric acid, nitric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         122 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said ion-conducting membrane is a cation-conducting membrane, an anion-conducting membrane, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         123 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said ion-conducting membrane comprises sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer, sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene, sulfonated fluoropolymer, MK-40, co-polymers, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         124 . The integrated process of  claim 122 , wherein said anion-conducting membrane comprises a functionalized polymer structure. 
     
     
         125 . The integrated process of  claim 124 , wherein said functionalized polymer structure comprises polyarylene ethers, polysulfones, polyether ketones, polyphenylenes, perfluorinated polymers, polybenzimidazole, polyepichlorohydrins, unsaturated polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinylbenzyl chlorides, polyphosphazenes, polyvinyl alcohol, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, alterations of these polymers or other kinds of polymers, or composites thereof. 
     
     
         126 . The integrated process of  claim 122 , wherein said cation-conducting membrane allows for transfer of lithium ions but prevents transfer of anion groups. 
     
     
         127 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said ion-conducting membrane has a thickness from about 1 μm to about 1000 μm. 
     
     
         128 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said ion-conducting membrane has a thickness from about 1 mm to about 10 mm. 
     
     
         129 . The integrated process of  claim 93 , wherein said electrodes are comprised of titanium, niobium, zirconium, tantalum, magnesium, titanium dioxide, oxides thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         130 . The integrated process of  claim 129 , wherein said electrodes further comprise a coating of platinum, TiO 2 , ZrO 2 , Nb 2 O 5 , Ta 2 O 5 , SnO 2 , IrO 2 , RuO 2 , mixed metal oxides, graphene, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         131 . An integrated process for producing a purified lithium salt from a liquid resource, comprising:
 a) providing an ion exchange unit, wherein said ion exchange unit comprises an ion exchange material;   b) contacting said ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit with said liquid resource, wherein hydrogen ions from said ion exchange material are exchanged with lithium ions from said liquid resource to produce a lithium-enriched ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit;   c) treating said lithium-enriched ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit with an acid solution, wherein said lithium ions from said lithium-enriched ion exchange material are exchanged with hydrogen ions from said acid solution to produce a lithium eluate;   d) providing a crystallizer in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit, wherein said crystallizer is configured to add a precipitant to said lithium eluate;   e) passing said lithium eluate to said crystallizer;   f) treating said lithium eluate in said crystallizer with a precipitant to precipitate a lithium salt and a residual eluate;   g) providing an electrochemical cell in fluid communication with said crystallizer, wherein said electrochemical cell comprises (i) a first electrochemically reducing electrode and (ii) a second electrochemically oxidizing electrode;   h) passing said residual eluate to said electrochemical cell;   i) subjecting said residual eluate in said electrochemical cell to an electric current, wherein said electric current causes electrolysis of said residual eluate to produce an acidified solution and a basified solution; and   j) recycling said acidified solution and said basified solution from said electrochemical cell to any one of said ion exchange unit of a) to c).   
     
     
         132 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said lithium-enriched ion exchange material is treated in said ion exchange unit. 
     
     
         133 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said lithium eluate is produced in said ion exchange unit. 
     
     
         134 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein prior to b), said ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit is treated with an acid solution to produce a hydrogen-enriched ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit. 
     
     
         135 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein b) further comprises pH modulation, wherein said pH modulation maintains an equilibrium in favor of hydrogen ions from said hydrogen-rich ion exchange material being exchanged with lithium ions from said liquid resource. 
     
     
         136 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said process further comprises treating said lithium-enriched ion exchange material with a base. 
     
     
         137 . The integrated process of  claim 136 , wherein the base is Ca(OH) 2  or NaOH. 
     
     
         138 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said process further comprises providing a reverse osmosis unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit and said crystallizer, and said reverse osmosis unit comprises a water-permeable membrane. 
     
     
         139 . The integrated process of  claim 138 , wherein prior to d), said lithium eluate is passed into said reverse osmosis unit contacting said water-permeable membrane, and wherein water molecules from said lithium eluate pass through said water-permeable membrane to produce water and a concentrated lithium eluate. 
     
     
         140 . The integrated process of  claim 139 , wherein said concentrated lithium eluate is further subjected to d) to j). 
     
     
         141 . The integrated process of  claim 138 , wherein said water-permeable membrane comprises polyamide, aromatic polyamide, polyvinylamine, polypyrrolidine, polyfuran, polyethersulfone, polysulfone, polypiperzine-amide, polybenzimidazoline, polyoxadiazole, acetylated cellulose, cellulose, a polymer with alternative functionalization of sulfonation, carboxylation, phosphorylation, or combinations thereof, other polymeric layer, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         142 . The integrated process of  claim 138 , wherein said water-permeable membrane further comprises a fabric, polymeric, composite, or metal support. 
     
     
         143 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said process further comprises providing a thermal evaporation unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit and said crystallizer, and said thermal evaporation unit comprises a heating element. 
     
     
         144 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said process further comprises providing a purification unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit and said electrochemical cell. 
     
     
         145 . The integrated process of  144 , wherein prior to d), said lithium eluate is passed into said purification unit to produce a purified lithium concentrate. 
     
     
         146 . The integrated process of  145 , wherein said purified lithium concentrate is further subjected to d) to j). 
     
     
         147 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said purified lithium salt is lithium carbonate, lithium bicarbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, lithium bromide, lithium sulfate, lithium bisulfate, lithium phosphate, lithium hydrogen phosphate, lithium dihydrogen phosphate, or lithium nitrate. 
     
     
         148 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said lithium salt is lithium carbonate. 
     
     
         149 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said lithium salt is lithium hydroxide. 
     
     
         150 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said purified lithium salt is in a solid, an aqueous solution, or slurry. 
     
     
         151 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said liquid resource is a natural brine, a dissolved salt flat, seawater, concentrated seawater, a desalination effluent, a concentrated brine, a processed brine, an oilfield brine, a liquid from an ion exchange process, a liquid from a solvent extraction process, a synthetic brine, a leachate from an ore or combination of ores, a leachate from a mineral or combination of minerals, a leachate from a clay or combination of clays, a leachate from recycled products, a leachate from recycled materials, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         152 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said ion exchange material is selected from the group consisting of LiFePO 4 , LiMnPO 4 , Li 2 MO 3  (M=Ti, Mn, Sn), Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 , Li 4 Mn 5 O 12 , LiMn 2 O 4 , Li 1.6 Mn 1.6 O 4 , LiMO 2  (M=Al, Cu, Ti), Li 4 TiO 4 , Li 7 Ti 11 O 24 , Li 3 VO 4 , Li 2 Si 3 O 7 , Li 2 CuP 2 O 7 , solid solutions thereof, or combinations thereof; wherein x is from 0.1-10 and y is from 0.1-10. 
     
     
         153 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said ion exchange material comprises coated ion exchange particles, uncoated ion exchange particles, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         154 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said ion exchange material comprises coated ion exchange particles. 
     
     
         155 . The integrated process of  claim 154 , wherein said coated ion exchange particles comprises a polymer coating. 
     
     
         156 . The integrated process of  claim 155 , wherein said coating of said coated ion exchange particles comprise a chloro-polymer, a fluoro-polymer, a chloro-fluoro-polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, a hydrophobic polymer, co-polymers thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         157 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said ion exchange material is in a powder or slurry form. 
     
     
         158 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said acid solution is a solution of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrobromic acid, chloric acid, perchloric acid, nitric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         159 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said ion-conducting membrane is a cation-conducting membrane or an anion-conducting membrane. 
     
     
         160 . The integrated process of  claim 159 , wherein said cation-conducting membrane or said anion-conducting membrane comprises sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer, sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene, sulfonated fluoropolymer, MK-40, co-polymers, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         161 . The integrated process of  claim 159 , wherein said anion-conducting membrane comprises a functionalized polymer structure. 
     
     
         162 . The integrated process of  claim 161 , wherein said polymer structure comprises polyarylene ethers, polysulfones, polyether ketones, polyphenylenes, perfluorinated polymers, polybenzimidazole, polyepichlorohydrins, unsaturated polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinylbenzyl chlorides, polyphosphazenes, polyvinyl alcohol, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, alterations of these polymers or other kinds of polymers, or composites thereof. 
     
     
         163 . The integrated process of  claim 159 , wherein said cation-conducting membrane allows for transfer of lithium ions but prevents transfer of anion groups. 
     
     
         164 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said ion-conducting membrane has a thickness from about 1 μm to about 1000 μm. 
     
     
         165 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said ion-conducting membrane has a thickness from about 1 mm to about 10 mm. 
     
     
         166 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said electrodes are comprised of titanium, niobium, zirconium, tantalum, magnesium, titanium dioxide, oxides thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         167 . The integrated process of  claim 166 , wherein said electrodes further comprise a coating of platinum, TiO 2 , ZrO 2 , Nb 2 O 5 , Ta 2 O 5 , SnO 2 , IrO 2 , RuO 2 , mixed metal oxides, graphene, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         168 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said precipitant is a carbonate or phosphate salt 
     
     
         169 . The integrated process of  claim 131 , wherein said precipitant is sodium carbonate. 
     
     
         170 . An integrated process for producing a purified lithium salt from a liquid resource, comprising:
 a) providing an ion exchange unit, wherein said ion exchange unit comprises an ion exchange material;   b) contacting said ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit with said liquid resource, wherein hydrogen ions from said ion exchange material are exchanged with lithium ions from said liquid resource to produce a lithium-enriched ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit, and sodium hydroxide is added to the brine to neutralize protons from the ion exchange material;   c) treating said lithium-enriched ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit with an acid solution, wherein said lithium ions from said lithium-enriched ion exchange material are exchanged with hydrogen ions from said acid solution to produce a lithium eluate;   d) providing a reverse osmosis unit in fluid communication with said ion exchange unit, wherein said reverse osmosis unit comprises a water permeable membrane;   e) passing said lithium eluate from said ion exchange unit to said reverse osmosis unit thereby contacting said lithium eluate with said water permeable membrane, wherein water molecules from said lithium eluate passes through said water-permeable membrane to produce water and a concentrated lithium eluate;   f) providing a thermal evaporation unit in fluid communication with said reverse osmosis unit, wherein said thermal evaporation unit comprises a heating element;   g) passing said concentrated lithium eluate from said reverse osmosis unit to said thermal evaporation unit, thereby producing a further concentrated lithium eluate;   h) providing a purification unit in fluid communication with said thermal evaporation unit;   i) passing said further concentrated lithium eluate from said thermal evaporation unit to said purification unit, thereby producing a purified lithium concentrate;   j) providing a crystallizer in fluid communication with said purification unit, wherein said crystallizer is configured to add a precipitant to said purified lithium concentrate;   k) treating said purified lithium concentrate with said precipitant to precipitate a lithium salt and a residual eluate;   l) providing an electrochemical cell in fluid communication with said crystallizer, wherein said electrochemical cell comprises (i) a first electrochemically reducing electrode and (ii) a second electrochemically oxidizing electrode;   m) passing said residual eluate to said electrochemical cell;   n) subjecting said residual eluate in said electrochemical cell to an electric current, wherein said electric current causes electrolysis of said residual eluate to produce an acidified solution and a basified solution; and   o) recycling said acidified solution and said basified solution from said electrochemical cell to any one of said ion exchange unit of a) to c).   
     
     
         171 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said lithium-enriched ion exchange material is treated in said ion exchange unit. 
     
     
         172 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said lithium eluate is produced in said ion exchange unit. 
     
     
         173 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein prior to b), said ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit is treated with an acid solution to produce a hydrogen-enriched ion exchange material in said ion exchange unit. 
     
     
         174 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein b) further comprises pH modulation, wherein said pH modulation maintains an equilibrium in favor of hydrogen ions from said hydrogen-rich ion exchange material being exchanged with lithium ions from said liquid resource. 
     
     
         175 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said process further comprises treating said lithium-enriched ion exchange material with a base in addition to said acid solution. 
     
     
         176 . The integrated process of  claim 175 , wherein the base is Ca(OH) 2  or NaOH. 
     
     
         177 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said water-permeable membrane comprises polyamide, aromatic polyamide, polyvinylamine, polypyrrolidine, polyfuran, polyethersulfone, polysulfone, polypiperzine-amide, polybenzimidazoline, polyoxadiazole, acetylated cellulose, cellulose, a polymer with alternative functionalization of sulfonation, carboxylation, phosphorylation, or combinations thereof, other polymeric layer, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         178 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said water-permeable membrane further comprises a fabric, polymeric, composite, or metal support. 
     
     
         179 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said purified lithium salt is lithium carbonate, lithium bicarbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, lithium bromide, lithium sulfate, lithium bisulfate, lithium phosphate, lithium hydrogen phosphate, lithium dihydrogen phosphate, or lithium nitrate. 
     
     
         180 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said lithium salt is lithium carbonate 
     
     
         181 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said lithium salt is lithium hydroxide. 
     
     
         182 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said purified lithium salt is in a solid, an aqueous solution, or slurry. 
     
     
         183 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said liquid resource is a natural brine, a dissolved salt flat, seawater, concentrated seawater, a desalination effluent, a concentrated brine, a processed brine, an oilfield brine, a liquid from an ion exchange process, a liquid from a solvent extraction process, a synthetic brine, a leachate from an ore or combination of ores, a leachate from a mineral or combination of minerals, a leachate from a clay or combination of clays, a leachate from recycled products, a leachate from recycled materials, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         184 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said ion exchange material is selected from the group consisting of LiFePO 4 , LiMnPO 4 , Li 2 MO 3  (M=Ti, Mn, Sn), Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 , Li 4 Mn 5 O 12 , LiMn 2 O 4 , Li 1.6 Mn 1.6 O 4 , LiMO 2  (M=Al, Cu, Ti), Li 4 TiO 4 , Li 7 Ti 11 O 24 , Li 3 VO 4 , Li 2 Si 3 O 7 , Li 2 CuP 2 O 7 , solid solutions thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         185 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said ion exchange material comprises coated ion exchange particles, uncoated ion exchange particles, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         186 . The integrated process of  claim 185 , wherein said ion exchange material comprises coated ion exchange particles. 
     
     
         187 . The integrated process of  claim 186 , wherein said coated ion exchange particles comprises a polymer coating. 
     
     
         188 . The integrated process of  claim 187 , wherein said coating of said coated ion exchange particles comprise a chloro-polymer, a fluoro-polymer, a chloro-fluoro-polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, a hydrophobic polymer, co-polymers thereof, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         189 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said ion exchange material is in a powder or slurry form. 
     
     
         190 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said acid solution is a solution of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrobromic acid, chloric acid, perchloric acid, nitric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         191 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said ion-conducting membrane is a cation-conducting membrane or an anion-conducting membrane. 
     
     
         192 . The integrated process of  claim 191 , wherein said cation-conducting membrane or said anion-conducting membrane comprises sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer, sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene, sulfonated fluoropolymer, MK-40, co-polymers, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         193 . The integrated process of  claim 191 , wherein said anion-conducting membrane comprises a functionalized polymer structure. 
     
     
         194 . The integrated process of  claim 193 , wherein said polymer structure comprises polyarylene ethers, polysulfones, polyether ketones, polyphenylenes, perfluorinated polymers, polybenzimidazole, polyepichlorohydrins, unsaturated polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinylbenzyl chlorides, polyphosphazenes, polyvinyl alcohol, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, alterations of these polymers or other kinds of polymers, or composites thereof. 
     
     
         195 . The integrated process of  claim 191 , wherein said cation-conducting membrane allows for transfer of lithium ions but prevents transfer of anion groups. 
     
     
         196 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said ion-conducting membrane has a thickness from about 1 μm to about 1000 μm. 
     
     
         197 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said ion-conducting membrane has a thickness from about 1 mm to about 10 mm. 
     
     
         198 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said electrodes are comprised of titanium, niobium, zirconium, tantalum, magnesium, titanium dioxide, oxides thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         199 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said electrodes further comprise a coating of platinum, TiO 2 , ZrO 2 , Nb 2 O 5 , Ta 2 O 5 , SnO 2 , IrO 2 , RuO 2 , mixed metal oxides, graphene, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         200 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said precipitant is a carbonate or phosphate salt. 
     
     
         201 . The integrated process of  claim 170 , wherein said precipitant is sodium carbonate.