The process uses a granular sorbent through which the brine flows slowly. Under conditions of high salt concentrations, lithium binds preferentially to the surface of the sorbent. In the next step, the material is rinsed with fresh water – this releases the lithium again and extracts it in a highly concentrated form. This simple change between brine and freshwater conditions eliminates the need for expensive chemicals, complex membrane systems or energy-intensive evaporation processes.

The advantages at a glance

• Extremely low investment costs due to simple technology and use of existing infrastructure (e.g. buffer ponds in geothermal plants).
• No expensive operating materials are required, neither special chemicals nor complex regeneration processes are needed.
• Ecologically compatible thanks to the use of mass-available materials such as lime or dolomite.
• Easy integration into existing geothermal and natural gas processes.

There is particular potential in the use of side streams of deep geothermal energy, for example in the Rhine Graben. There, thermal water is extracted from a depth of several kilometers to provide heat for electricity and combined heat and power plants. Our process makes it possible to additionally use this brine flow for lithium extraction – without impairing heating operations. This creates a combination of renewable energy production and raw material extraction that makes Germany less dependent on imports and at the same time strengthens value creation in the region.

Outlook

The granting of the patent gives a new boost to lithium extraction in Germany. The process opens up the possibility of extracting lithium directly where brines are already produced as a by-product – regionally, sustainably and cost-effectively. This is an important building block for the nationwide supply of the future market of batteries and electromobility.

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