Lithium is like the gold of the 21st century. It's everywhere in our devices, from e-cigarettes to electric cars. But there's a problem: extracting it is a logistical and environmental nightmare. Or at least it was, until now. A team of researchers from Rice University has developed a reactor that could represent the biggest revolution in lithium mining in decades. With extraordinary efficiency and minimal environmental impact, this technology could be a game-changer. The study detailing the development and performance of the reactor was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
Research on the “new” lithium extraction
Rice University team creates electrochemical reactor capable of extracting almost all the lithium present in geothermal waters. This achievement is remarkable considering that current extraction techniques are often inefficient and environmentally damaging. The reactor addresses one of the main challenges in extracting lithium from geothermal brines: the presence of other chemical elements with similar sizes and ionic charges (such as magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium). In addition, these geothermal “brines” often contain chloride ions that can be transformed into highly toxic chlorine gas during traditional electrochemical processes.
How the new reactor works
The device It is composed of three chambers separated by a lithium ion conductive ceramic membrane (LICGC), a material commonly used in lithium-ion batteries. This membrane has been shown to be effective in allowing only lithium ions to pass through, while blocking other chemicals, particularly potentially harmful chloride ions. The result is impressive: not only does the reactor drastically limit the production of chlorine gas, but achieves a lithium purity rate of 97,5%.
One of the most promising features of this technology is its reduced environmental impact. Traditional lithium mining often requires large amounts of water and can cause significant damage to local ecosystems. The new reactor, however, uses a much cleaner and more efficient process. The possibility of extracting lithium from geothermal sources opens up new prospects for more sustainable production. Geothermal waters are already used for renewable energy production, and the addition of lithium extraction could make these plants even more efficient from a resource point of view.
“Geothermal” Lithium Mining: Why It Matters
The potential of this technology is global. In Europe, for example, there are several ongoing projects for lithium extraction from geothermal sources. In Cornwall, in UK, the Cornish Lithium is exploring the possibility of extracting lithium from the geothermal waters present deep within the granite rocks of the region. In Germany, The company Vulcan Energy plans to extract 40.000 tons of geothermal lithium hydroxide from the Rhine Valley by 2025, an amount sufficient to supply batteries for approximately one million cars a year.
Future challenges and prospects
Despite the promising results, there are still challenges to be addressed. During the tests, the researchers noticed an accumulation of sodium ions on the LICGC membrane, which could affect the reactor's efficiency in the long term. Strategies to mitigate this problem are being explored, such as reducing the sodium content in the brine prior to the reaction or developing special membrane coatings. Commercialization of this technology could have a significant impact on the lithium market. Demand for lithium-ion batteries is expected to grow sevenfold by 2030, driven primarily by the adoption of electric vehicles. A more efficient and sustainable source of lithium could be crucial to meeting this growing demand.
