CNGR Partners with Lanran for Sustainable Resource Recovery and Wastewater Treatment in Ternary Precursor Production
Hunan CNGR New Energy Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (CNGR) is advancing its commitment to sustainability by incorporating Hangzhou Lanran Tech’s innovative bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPED) technology into its ternary precursor production process. This collaboration is focused on addressing the challenges posed by ammonium sulfate wastewater, a byproduct of CNGR’s manufacturing operations.
Wastewater Management and Waste Salt Conversion
In the production of ternary precursors, CNGR generates wastewater containing ammonium sulfate, which is treated through a dedicated ammonia removal system. The resulting effluent contains around 12% sodium sulfate solution. Traditionally, CNGR has sold sodium sulfate as Glauber’s salt after evaporation and crystallization. However, due to market saturation and increasing environmental regulations, CNGR is now exploring more sustainable approaches by converting the sodium sulfate solution or Glauber’s salt into reusable acid and alkali using the BPED technology.
The sodium sulfate brine is primarily contaminated with oil, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) substances. To meet the required feed specifications for the BPED system, CNGR pre-treats the brine using resin-based oil removal, microfiltration, and chelating resins to remove hardness. Once treated, the brine is fed into the BPED system, which efficiently converts the brine into sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide.
Project Scale and Application
The project is set to achieve a treatment capacity of 30,000 tons of sodium sulfate per year in CNGR’s new plant, with a pilot project currently under construction at CNGR Tongren, Guizhou, China. The pilot scale is 660 tons per year of solid sodium sulfate, with a daily processing capacity of 2 tons of sodium sulfate (on a ton-equivalent basis). Using BPED technology, CNGR produces 98 g/L sulfuric acid, which is subsequently concentrated to 20% via evaporation for reuse in the leaching process. The sodium hydroxide solution (80 g/L) is concentrated to 32% and is returned to the production process. The BPED system’s energy consumption is designed to be between 2000-2200 kWh per ton of sodium hydroxide.
Sustainability and Economic Benefits
The project uses the bipolar membrane electrodialysis technology from Hangzhou Lanran Technology Co., Ltd. to recycle the by-product sodium sulfate from the production of ternary precursors by Zhongwei New Materials Co., Ltd., converting it into acid and alkali for reuse. Part of the sulfuric acid is used in a wastewater treatment plant, and some is returned for the extraction of nickel sulfate and cobalt sulfate from raw materials, as well as for acid washing and impurity removal processes. The alkali is used for adjusting the pH in the production of ternary precursors, in combination with ammonia water.
This recycling process reduces solid waste, supports a circular economy, and ensures a stable supply of critical raw materials. Additionally, it lowers the costs associated with acid and alkali usage.
By adopting this sustainable approach, CNGR not only enhances resource efficiency and reduces hazardous chemical usage but also significantly lowers operational costs. The project reflects CNGR’s commitment to minimizing environmental impact while contributing to the long-term sustainability of the energy storage industry.
Mr. Lou Yongtong, Chairman of Hanzhou Lanran Tech, commented on the collaboration with CNGR:
“This partnership demonstrates the critical importance of innovative technologies in advancing sustainable practices within the industrial sector. Our BPED technology allows CNGR to not only reduce waste but also create a circular economy that benefits both the environment and the company’s bottom line.”
About Hangzhou Lanran Tech
Hangzhou Lanran Tech is a leading provider of advanced water treatment solutions, specializing in ion-exchange membrane and electrodialysis technologies. The company focuses on offering sustainable, energy-efficient solutions to large-scale industrial projects globally, particularly in the fields of water treatment, resource recovery, and chemical production. Lanran Tech’s expertise extends to industries such as pharmaceuticals, food production, and energy storage, as well as pioneering technologies in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), and lithium battery recovery.
About Hunan CNGR New Energy Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
Hunan CNGR New Energy Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (CNGR) is a leader in the research, development, and manufacturing of advanced materials for the new energy industry. Specializing in the production of ternary precursor materials for lithium-ion batteries, CNGR has become a key player in China’s energy storage sector.
