Direct Lithium Extraction from Brine: Methods and their Environmental Impacts
Poster Number
1B
Research or Creativity Area
Engineering & Computer Science
Abstract
Concerns over climate change, and the desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have led to massive efforts to electrify vehicles. This shift has caused the demand for lithium to increase rapidly. Currently, lithium supplies are derived from hard-rock mining and evaporation of continental brines in ponds. Almost all lithium demand in the US is met with imported lithium, as there is only one full-scale lithium production site in operation. New lithium production facilities are proposed to meet current and anticipated demand. One option for domestic production is to extract lithium from geothermal brines. There are geothermal resources in California with sufficient lithium to make this resource feasible for extraction. Plans are underway to start extracting lithium from geothermal brines using direct lithium extraction technology (DLE); however, the environmental impacts of the process must be understood before proceeding. In this research, data on the brines was used in connection with literature on DLE processes to evaluate environmental impacts.
A literature review on DLE processes and technology was performed to gather data on water and chemical use. Information was gathered from peer-reviewed literature as well as industry and government reports. The information collected reflects plans to produce lithium from resources located domestically and in other parts of the world. Brine chemistry data was used to estimate solid waste generation.
The current state of DLE from geothermal brines is nascent; preliminary conclusions were made based on the data currently available. The water usage and waste from DLE needs to be clarified to further understand environmental impacts. While the information used to research DLE stemmed from the Salton Sea, several different studies were found to be taking place in Europe (e.g., in France and Germany).
Extraction of lithium from geothermal brines using DLE could potentially lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a secure source of domestic lithium. Other benefits may include increased geothermal energy production, which would encourage renewable energy production. Co-locating battery manufacturing near the geothermal power plants and adjacent DLE facilities could introduce benefits of reduced transportation for the lithium supply chain. Domestic lithium production could create jobs in areas where job security is vulnerable. The current project provides valuable information for lithium production in California, but also in other parts of the world where DLE could be used.
Location
Don and Karen DeRosa University Center (DUC) Poster Hall
Start Date
27-4-2024 10:30 AM
End Date
27-4-2024 12:30 PM
Direct Lithium Extraction from Brine: Methods and their Environmental Impacts
Don and Karen DeRosa University Center (DUC) Poster Hall
Concerns over climate change, and the desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have led to massive efforts to electrify vehicles. This shift has caused the demand for lithium to increase rapidly. Currently, lithium supplies are derived from hard-rock mining and evaporation of continental brines in ponds. Almost all lithium demand in the US is met with imported lithium, as there is only one full-scale lithium production site in operation. New lithium production facilities are proposed to meet current and anticipated demand. One option for domestic production is to extract lithium from geothermal brines. There are geothermal resources in California with sufficient lithium to make this resource feasible for extraction. Plans are underway to start extracting lithium from geothermal brines using direct lithium extraction technology (DLE); however, the environmental impacts of the process must be understood before proceeding. In this research, data on the brines was used in connection with literature on DLE processes to evaluate environmental impacts.
A literature review on DLE processes and technology was performed to gather data on water and chemical use. Information was gathered from peer-reviewed literature as well as industry and government reports. The information collected reflects plans to produce lithium from resources located domestically and in other parts of the world. Brine chemistry data was used to estimate solid waste generation.
The current state of DLE from geothermal brines is nascent; preliminary conclusions were made based on the data currently available. The water usage and waste from DLE needs to be clarified to further understand environmental impacts. While the information used to research DLE stemmed from the Salton Sea, several different studies were found to be taking place in Europe (e.g., in France and Germany).
Extraction of lithium from geothermal brines using DLE could potentially lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a secure source of domestic lithium. Other benefits may include increased geothermal energy production, which would encourage renewable energy production. Co-locating battery manufacturing near the geothermal power plants and adjacent DLE facilities could introduce benefits of reduced transportation for the lithium supply chain. Domestic lithium production could create jobs in areas where job security is vulnerable. The current project provides valuable information for lithium production in California, but also in other parts of the world where DLE could be used.
