New Lithium Extraction Method Could Cut Costs by 40% and Reduce Environmental Impact
Researchers in the United States have developed a new method for extracting lithium from seawater that they claim could significantly reduce costs and environmental impact compared to current methods. Lithium, a critical component in the production of batteries for electric vehicles, has seen a surge in global demand, with production expected to rise from around 500,000 metric tonnes in 2021 to approximately 4 million metric tonnes by 2030.
The traditional methods of lithium extraction, which include mining rocks and evaporating brines from salt lakes, are both costly and environmentally damaging. These processes require significant energy, use toxic chemicals, and depend on specific geographic and climatic conditions.
A team from Stanford University has introduced a technique called redox-couple electrodialysis, which they say could revolutionize lithium extraction. This method uses electricity to move lithium ions through a solid-state membrane, concentrating the lithium from a low-concentration solution to a high-purity solution. Isolating lithium from this concentrated solution is then easier and more cost-effective.
According to the researchers, this new process could reduce extraction costs by 40% compared to the dominant methods currently in use, bringing the cost of producing battery-grade lithium carbonate down to about $4,500 per tonne, compared to $9,100 per tonne for lithium extracted from brine.
The process also significantly reduces the environmental footprint of lithium production. It eliminates the need for large-scale solar evaporation ponds and uses less than a tenth of the electricity required by current brine extraction technologies. Additionally, the method shows promise for extracting lithium from sources like oil production wastewater and seawater, which are not currently commercially viable.
Study lead author Rong Xu highlighted the potential environmental and economic benefits of the new method, noting its ability to advance eco-friendly lithium production and support the transition to electrified transportation and renewable energy storage.
Ge Zhang, another researcher on the team, pointed out that while direct lithium extraction techniques have been explored before, many have faced challenges such as high energy costs and operational inefficiencies. The new method, however, appears to avoid these issues.
The team has also demonstrated that the technology performs efficiently even when scaled up fourfold, suggesting that it could be viable for industrial applications.
