Greetings, solar enthusiasts and green energy advocates! Today we’re going to explore a significant development in the solar industry. Let me delve into a scenario where lithium, a critical component in the storage of solar energy, is produced in a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly way.
The renewable sector chiefly depends on lithium to store energy generated from sources like solar panels for your home. But to put it mildly, traditional lithium extraction processes have severe environmental implications. Luckily, journeys towards a sustainable future are well underway, e.g., what happens within the Lithos Group.
Lithos Group’s subsidiary – Aqueous Resources LLC, made waves by applying for a hefty $30 million grant from the Department of Energy’s FedConnect program. The purpose? To improve their brine treatment complex in Bessemer, Ala., making it more capable of producing lithium hydroxide sustainably. Remember, sustainability is a significant point of concern for many solar companies given the environmental effects of traditional lithium extraction.
Typical lithium extraction involves either hard rock mining or salt brine processing, both of which have negatives. Salt brine processes, for example, involve pumping saltwater from underground reservoirs to the surface. This mix is stored in evaporation ponds, requiring a considerable 12-18 months to evaporate and achieve a high concentration lithium brine.
The effects of these processes on our environment are far-reaching and potentially damaging as massive volumes of water are used. As per Greenly, to produce a single ton of lithium, you’d require up to 2.2 million liters of water! This level of consumption can severely deplete groundwater levels and harm surrounding agricultural land — a double-standard considering that solar is held up as the environmentally-friendly energy option.
But here’s where Aqueous Resources comes to the rescue for solar companies. Using their proprietary AcQUA technology, Aqueous is revolutionizing lithium extraction. Instead of relying on evaporation ponds, AcQUA utilizes an electric-pressure membrane process to extract lithium chloride directly from raw brine, eliminating the need for groundwater evaporation. If effective, this could lessen the environmental footprint of your home solar array.
The AcQUa method is built on cost-effectiveness and efficiency, leapfrogging traditional methods. It can pre-treat lithium-enriched brines, isolate, purify, and improve the concentration before extracting the lithium chloride. On top of this, the technology allows for an impressive 98% repurposing of the input brine water!
Looking towards the big picture, Lithos aims to bring its technological prowess of the Denver-based extraction plant to the other locations across the USA and internationally, such as Argentina and Chile. The potential implications of this approach could mean a more sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally protective solar industry. It’s a step forward for the multitude of solar companies in producing solar panels for your home. It holds promising implications for the environmental sustainability of lithium production, which is a vital factor in the growth of the home solar array sector.
Stay tuned for more updates as we follow the adventures of lithium and the solar industry’s continued march towards sustainability and a cleaner, greener future!
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/02/01/lithos-technology-reduces-water-use-in-lithium-extraction/
