Importance
Uses of Lithium Hydroxide
Lithium Hydroxide has a wide range of uses, from batteries and soaps to breathing gas purification systems on spacecraft. The compound is used in some batteries to store the electrolyte. The compound is able to maintain the conductivity of the electrolyte by reacting with carbon dioxide and forming lithium carbonate. Lithium Hydroxide has a strong base and can be reacted with a fat to produce lithium soap. The soap has the ability to thicken oils and is used to manufacture lubricating greases. The compound is also useful in ceramics, manufacturing other lithium compounds, and as a heat transfer medium. One of the most important uses of Lithium Hydroxide is as a carbon dioxide scrubber in spacecraft. Carbon dioxide scrubbers are devices that absorb carbon dioxide from industrial plant's exhaust gases or from the exhaled air in life support systems. Lithium Hydroxide is especially useful in the life support systems used in the life support systems in rebreathers, spacecraft, submarines, and airtight chambers.
Two different types of lithium hydroxide A cutaway view of a lithium hydroxide canister.
containers used in spacecraft.
[both images from http://www.space1.com/Artifacts/Lunar_Module_Artifacts/LM_LiOH_Canister/lm_lioh_canister.html]
Purifier of Air
Confined areas such as spacecraft and submarines can produce unhealthy or toxic levels of carbon dioxide. Any alkali hydroxide is able to absorb carbon dioxide, but lithium hydroxide is preferred because of its low formula weight. The lithium hydroxide absorbs the carbon dioxide from the air by reacting with it to form lithium carbonate. It is an efficient, lightweight purifier of the air.
Possible Future Applications
If lithium hydroxide is efficient in purifying the air of confined spaces, it could be useful in purifying the air around us. The compound could be used in range from busy cities to open areas and absorb the carbon dioxide in the air and create a healthier environment. Research is being conducted about artificial trees capturing carbon dioxide from the air. The artificial trees absorb carbon dioxide and store it until it can be recycled back into either synthetic gasoline or synthetic diesel fuel. The first successful demonstration of carbon dioxide capture technology was performed by Global Research Technologies, LLC and Klaus Lackner from Columbia University in April 2007. Lithium hydroxide would be useful in the artificial trees because of its ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
Artificial tree prototype
[image from http://www.space1.com/Artifacts/Lunar_Module_Artifacts/LM_LiOH_Canister/lm_lioh_canister.html]
Lithium Hydroxide has a wide range of uses, from batteries and soaps to breathing gas purification systems on spacecraft. The compound is used in some batteries to store the electrolyte. The compound is able to maintain the conductivity of the electrolyte by reacting with carbon dioxide and forming lithium carbonate. Lithium Hydroxide has a strong base and can be reacted with a fat to produce lithium soap. The soap has the ability to thicken oils and is used to manufacture lubricating greases. The compound is also useful in ceramics, manufacturing other lithium compounds, and as a heat transfer medium. One of the most important uses of Lithium Hydroxide is as a carbon dioxide scrubber in spacecraft. Carbon dioxide scrubbers are devices that absorb carbon dioxide from industrial plant's exhaust gases or from the exhaled air in life support systems. Lithium Hydroxide is especially useful in the life support systems used in the life support systems in rebreathers, spacecraft, submarines, and airtight chambers.
Two different types of lithium hydroxide A cutaway view of a lithium hydroxide canister.
containers used in spacecraft.
[both images from http://www.space1.com/Artifacts/Lunar_Module_Artifacts/LM_LiOH_Canister/lm_lioh_canister.html]
Purifier of Air
Confined areas such as spacecraft and submarines can produce unhealthy or toxic levels of carbon dioxide. Any alkali hydroxide is able to absorb carbon dioxide, but lithium hydroxide is preferred because of its low formula weight. The lithium hydroxide absorbs the carbon dioxide from the air by reacting with it to form lithium carbonate. It is an efficient, lightweight purifier of the air.
Possible Future Applications
If lithium hydroxide is efficient in purifying the air of confined spaces, it could be useful in purifying the air around us. The compound could be used in range from busy cities to open areas and absorb the carbon dioxide in the air and create a healthier environment. Research is being conducted about artificial trees capturing carbon dioxide from the air. The artificial trees absorb carbon dioxide and store it until it can be recycled back into either synthetic gasoline or synthetic diesel fuel. The first successful demonstration of carbon dioxide capture technology was performed by Global Research Technologies, LLC and Klaus Lackner from Columbia University in April 2007. Lithium hydroxide would be useful in the artificial trees because of its ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
Artificial tree prototype
[image from http://www.space1.com/Artifacts/Lunar_Module_Artifacts/LM_LiOH_Canister/lm_lioh_canister.html]