American researchers have developed an ingenious method for lithium recovery, potentially transforming the extraction of this essential metal. This process could make lithium extraction significantly more affordable and environmentally friendly.
Lithium, crucial for electric vehicle batteries, is in high demand. Currently, its extraction is expensive and energy-intensive, relying on polluting, resource-hungry techniques.
Aerial view of the Beauvoir Kaolin / Lithium Quarry in Échassières.
Image: Wikimedia
Traditionally, lithium is extracted from rocks by evaporating concentrated brine—a costly method with a significant environmental impact. This method requires specific climatic conditions and consumes large amounts of water and energy. The team at Stanford University offers an innovative alternative with their redox-coupled electrodialysis process. This technique uses electricity to move lithium through a solid membrane, concentrating the metal in a purified solution.
This new approach reduces costs by 40% compared to current methods and uses less than 10% of the usual energy consumption. By eliminating the need for large solar evaporation ponds, it also minimizes the environmental footprint. In addition to its energy efficiency, this method could be used to extract lithium from wastewater generated by oil production, and potentially from seawater, though challenges remain in that area.
Tests show the technique remains effective even on a large scale, suggesting a viable industrial application. However, some stability issues with the membrane when using seawater need to be addressed. The researchers are optimistic about the future of this technology. It could significantly lower the cost of lithium production and play a key role in advancing global energy transition by making extraction more sustainable.
The estimated cost of extracting lithium with this new method is far lower than that of the dominant methods, with the potential for even greater reductions in the future. This breakthrough could reshape the lithium industry and support global renewable energy storage goals.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND