Engineers unlock lithium from extreme environments

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The demand for lithium—critical to powering sustainable technologies—is rapidly growing, but up to 75% of the world's lithium-rich saltwater sources remain untappable using current methods.

In the race for solutions to unlock these untapped sources, Monash engineers have developed world-first technology enabling direct lithium extraction from these difficult-to-process sources.

With some predicting global lithium supply could fall short of demand as early as 2025, the innovative technology—EDTA-aided loose nanofiltration (EALNF)—sets a new standard in lithium processing. The technology uniquely extracts both lithium and magnesium simultaneously, unlike traditional methods that treat magnesium salts as waste, making it smarter, faster and more sustainable.

The work, co-led by Dr. Zhikao Li, from the Monash Suzhou Research Institute and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Professor Xiwang Zhang from the University of Queensland, promises to meet the surging demand for lithium and paves the way for more sustainable and efficient extraction practices.

Studies undertaken on brines from China's Longmu Co Lake and Dongtai Lake, published today (Oct. 22) in Nature Sustainability, demonstrate how the innovative method could efficiently extract lithium from low-grade brines with high magnesium content.

At the heart of the innovation is a type of nanofiltration that uses a selective chelating agent to separate lithium from other minerals, especially magnesium, which is often present in brines and difficult to remove.

"High-altitude salt brine flats in countries like China (Tibet and Qinghai) and Bolivia are examples of areas with tougher brine conditions that have traditionally been ignored. In remote desert areas, the vast amounts of water, chemicals and infrastructure required for conventional extraction just aren't available either, underscoring the need for innovative technologies," Dr. Li said.

"With Monash University's EALNF technology, these can now be commercially viable sources of lithium and valuable contributors to the global supply chain. Our technology achieves 90% lithium recovery, nearly double the performance of traditional methods, while dramatically reducing the time required for extraction from years to mere weeks."

The technology also turns leftover magnesium into a valuable, high-quality product that can be sold, reducing waste and its impact on the environment.

Beyond its advanced efficiency, the EALNF system brings innovation to address major environmental concerns associated with lithium extraction. Unlike conventional methods that deplete vital water resources in arid regions, the technology produces freshwater as a by-product.

Dr. Li said the system was flexible and ready for large-scale use, meaning it can quickly expand from testing to full industrial operations.

"This breakthrough is crucial for avoiding a future lithium shortage, making it possible to access lithium from hard-to-reach sources and helping power the shift to clean energy."

More information: Sustainable lithium extraction and magnesium hydroxide co-production from salt-lake brines. Nature Sustainability (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01435-2. www.nature.com/articles/s41893-024-01435-2

Journal information: Nature Sustainability

Provided by Monash University