LITHIUM
01. Extraction Process.
1. DLE: Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) is a proven technology, with established producing projects based on DLE in China and South America.
Brine is extracted from the basin aquifer and pumped to a processing unit where a resin or adsorption material is used to extract only lithium, while spent brine is reinjected into the basin aquifers with no aquifer depletion or harm to the environment.
The resin adsorbs lithium chloride (LiCl) molecules onto the surface of the material, which is then stripped using water creating a lithium eluate. This eluate is then further concentrated via reverse osmosis and mechanical evaporation stages before standard industry processes are used to produce battery-grade lithium.
Lithium
These are just a few examples of how lithium is converted into a wide variety of end products that play a crucial role in modern technology, industry and medicine.
Lithium-ion batteries are perhaps the most widely known and widespread use of lithium. They are used in a wide range of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras, as well as in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
Lithium is used in the manufacture of high-performance greases and lubricants. These products are especially valued for their stability over a wide range of temperatures and their ability to withstand heavy loads, making them ideal for automotive and industrial applications.
Lithium is used in the production of special glasses and ceramics. These materials are characterized by their high resistance to heat and corrosion, and are used in applications ranging from electronic devices to pharmaceuticals and kitchen products.
Lithium is added to various metal alloys to improve their properties. For example, it is used in aluminum alloys to make them lighter and stronger, which is beneficial for aerospace and automotive applications.
Lithium is used in the production of a variety of specialty chemicals, including lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide. These compounds are critical in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries and other industrial applications.
Lithium compounds such as lithium chloride are used in water treatment, particularly in cooling systems and in water desalination.
Lithium is also used in medicine, specifically in the manufacture of psychiatric medications. Lithium-based mood stabilizers are used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and other mood disorders.
