Status and Trends of Direct Lithium Extraction Technology

Abstract

The commercial supply of lithium has recently reached its limit, prompting active research into the recovery of lithium from low-grade brines, such as geothermal water and oil field brine, which contain lithium. The commercialized process that relies on natural evaporation and concentration, typically applied to high-grade brine, has limitations when applied to low-grade brine. As an alternative, direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology is being proposed. DLE technology employs non-evaporative lithium extraction methods, including precipitation, solvent extraction, and adsorption, to recover lithium from low-grade brines (with lithium concentrations less than 1000 ppm). This technology is gaining importance, because it can overcome the drawbacks of conventional methods, such as lengthy processing time and production limits. This paper discusses the development direction of DLE technology that can ensure environmental and economic feasibility, using an analysis of the current status and trends of lithium recovery technology.