Researchers from Monash University and the University of Queensland have pioneered a new nanofiltration technology that enables direct lithium extraction from extreme environments, such as remote deserts.
This breakthrough allows for the efficient extraction of lithium and magnesium from saltwater sources like China's Longmu Co Lake and Dongtai Lake. Lithium, a critical component in battery storage technology, is essential for the global clean energy transition.
Experts have warned that the global supply of lithium could fall short of demand by 2025, as up to 75 percent of the world's lithium-rich saltwater remains untapped with current methods.
The innovative method utilizes ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in a nanofiltration process, achieving a 90 percent lithium recovery rate—nearly double that of traditional techniques—and reducing extraction time from years to weeks.
\"High-altitude salt brine flats in countries like China and Bolivia have typically been overlooked due to challenging conditions,\" said Li Zhikao from the Monash Suzhou Research Institute. \"With our EALNF technology, these can now become commercially viable lithium sources, strengthening the global supply chain.\"
Moreover, unlike conventional methods that consider magnesium a waste product, the new technology transforms it into a high-quality product for sale. The research team is poised to scale the technology from testing to full industrial operations swiftly.
Reference(s):
New tech enables direct lithium extraction from extreme environments
cgtn.com
