Sustainable process design for lithium recovery from geothermal brines using chemical precipitation

Chemical precipitation; Digital twin; Life cycle analysis; Lithium carbonate; Process design; Techno-economic assessment; Extraction method; Geothermal brines; Lithium carbonates; Lithium recoveries; Process economics; Recycling process; Sustainable process; Waste Management and Disposal; Economics and Econometrics

Abstract :

[en] Lithium demand is surging, necessitating efficient extraction methods. Geothermal brines offer a promising alternative feedstock, yet comprehensive systems-level analyses are lacking. We developed an industrial process model for a plant processing 2000 ton/h geothermal brine using chemical precipitation to produce lithium carbonate, coupled with techno-economic and life cycle assessments to evaluate process economics and environmental impacts. A novel recycling process for on-site reuse of precipitating agents is also proposed, increasing total investment cost by 23% while reducing CO2 emissions by nearly 50% without extending the payback period. Additionally, we investigated the impact of feedstock concentration and water costs on process economics. Our findings show that low-concentration lithium brines (less than 200 mg/L) are economically viable only at high lithium carbonate selling prices. This study highlights the potential of geothermal brines as a sustainable lithium source and the benefits of integrating recycling processes to mitigate environmental concerns.

Disciplines :

Engineering, computing & technology: Multidisciplinary, general & others

Author, co-author :

Nikkhah, Hasan ; Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, United States ; Center for Clean Energy Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, United States

Di Maria, Andrea ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT

Granata, Giuseppe ; Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ; Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

Beykal, Burcu ; Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, United States ; Center for Clean Energy Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, United States

Language :

English

Title :

Sustainable process design for lithium recovery from geothermal brines using chemical precipitation

Publication date :

2025

Journal title :

Resources, Conservation and Recycling

ISSN :

0921-3449

eISSN :

1879-0658

Publisher :

Elsevier

Volume :

212

Pages :

107980

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S0921344924005718?httpAccept=text/xml

Funders :

Uconn - University of Connecticut

Funding text :

This work is conducted with the computing resources provided by University of Connecticut.

Available on ORBi :

since 21 April 2025

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