Pilot Scale Recovery of Lithium from Geothermal Brines
Co-production of lithium at geothermal facilities will create additional revenue and lower the cost of geothermal power.
Materials Research LLC
Recipient
Palo Alto, CA
Recipient Location
13th
Senate District
23rd
Assembly District
$1,705,286
Amount Spent
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
This project demonstrated a pilot scale integrated process for the recovery of lithium from geothermal brines. Compared to traditional methods of lithium recovery from brines, the high-capacity selective sorbent and its regeneration process showed potential to lower the cost of lithium production by enabling separation with high recovery efficiency and minimizing processing time.
View Final ReportThe Issue
Although geothermal energy is an important resource with many benefits, the high upfront cost for installation has been a major barrier. Expansion of geothermal energy production in California will greatly benefit from the creation of a value stream produced by the recovery of useful metals such as lithium from geothermal fluids. The efficient separation of lithium from geothermal brines promises to make the geothermal power generation economically favorable. A supply chain for lithium will generate jobs and spur economic development in the community around the geothermal production plant.
Project Innovation
This project is demonstrating a pilot scale integrated process for the recovery of lithium from geothermal brines based on: (1) a high-capacity selective solid sorbent for the extraction of lithium; and (2) a carbon negative sorbent regeneration process for the direct formation of high-purity lithium carbonate (Li2CO3). Compared to traditional methods of Li recovery from brines, the proposed high-capacity selective sorbent and its regeneration process is expected to lower the cost of Li production by enabling separation with high recovery efficiency and minimizing processing time. Co-production of lithium at geothermal facilities will bring additional revenue to the power plants, thus making geothermal power more economically viable.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
This Agreement will lead to technological advancement and breakthroughs to overcome barriers to the achievement of the State of California's statutory energy goals by reducing the cost of energy production from geothermal resources. This agreement will also help spur a new industry of lithium production that will displace the current practices using mining or solar ponds. Both current methods have large footprints and result in degradation of land resources.
Affordability
The technology will lower the cost of geothermal energy production as a result of recovery of lithium from geothermal fluids. Co-production of lithium carbonate can offset $30/MWh from the cost of geothermal energy production.
Economic Development
According to a 2008 feasibility study sponsored by Imperial Irrigation District, developing geothermal resources in Imperial County could result in 7,000-9,000 new jobs, many likely higher paying than typical for the region.
Environmental Sustainability
The process uses CO2 to generate lithium carbonate and has the potential to utilize captured CO2 emitted from wells for this purpose. It is much more environmentally friendly than conventional methods to produce lithium.
Key Project Members
Anoop Nagar
Susanna Ventura
Subrecipients
Suvenco LLC
Swift Noble Materials
SS Energy Consulting Services
Exsorbtion Inc.
Veolia
Elisabeth Perea
Daniel Matsiev
Luca Nardin
