Electrochemical Reactor Extracts 97.5% of Lithium From Geothermal Sources

Lithium-ion batteries power everything from vapes to electric cars, but they rely on hard-to-extract lithium. A new electrochemical reactor from Rice University promises to make lithium harvesting safer and more efficient.

Lithium-ion batteries dominate the market due to their high energy density and lightweight nature, despite occasional safety concerns. Alternatives like potassium or sodium batteries have been considered, but lithium remains the standard.

The demand for lithium is set to skyrocket, with projections showing a seven-fold increase by 2030, driven by electric vehicles. This growth could push the market value from $56.8 billion in 2023 to $187.1 billion by 2032.

However, lithium is not easy to obtain. While abundant, it’s often found in low concentrations in rocks or geothermal brines, requiring energy-intensive processes to extract. Traditional lithium mining can also harm ecosystems and deplete water supplies.

Rice University’s New Reactor Revolutionizes Safe Lithium Extraction from Geothermal Brines

Enter the Rice University reactor, designed to tackle these issues. The reactor extracts lithium from brines found in geothermal sources, which contain various ions like magnesium, calcium, and sodium. Separating lithium from these chemicals is difficult, especially since chloride ions can produce toxic chlorine gas during the extraction process.

The Rice team developed a three-chamber reactor with a lithium-ion conductive glass ceramic (LICGC) membrane, commonly used in batteries but never before in a reactor. This membrane allows only lithium ions to pass through, blocking other harmful ions. In tests, the reactor achieved a 97.5% purity rate for lithium and minimized chlorine gas production.

“This reactor could significantly improve lithium extraction while reducing environmental harm,” said co-author Sibani Biswal. While sodium buildup on the membrane may reduce efficiency, the team suggests lowering sodium levels in the brine or researching membrane coatings to prevent this issue.

The full study is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Read Original Article: New Atlas

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