New Method Recovers 95% Lithium from Brine Salts with Low Water Use

Researchers at Monash University have introduced a novel technology for directly extracting lithium from solid salt mixtures derived from brines. This method presents a low-water and low-energy alternative to traditional lithium extraction processes, which often suffer from low recovery rates, lengthy processing times, and significant freshwater consumption.

The strategy developed by Professor Huanting Wang, Dr. Zhikao Li, and Pan Liu bypasses the direct extraction of lithium from brines. Instead, lithium salts are first separated into solid mixtures from brines. This is achieved through selective dissolution using common industrial organic solvents like ethanol and acetone.

Published in Environmental Science & Technology, the new technology demonstrated a lithium recovery efficiency of approximately 95%. A significant advantage of this approach is its ability to effectively remove boron and sulfate impurities, which are persistent challenges in the industry, thereby enabling the production of high-purity lithium.

Further enhancing its sustainability, the researchers integrated the process with interfacial solar evaporation. This builds upon a decade-old concept from the Monash team and allows for the recovery and recycling of over 99% of the solvent using only sunlight. This breakthrough has led to a patent application for the technology.