From Brine to Battery: Membrane Solutions for Direct Lithium Extraction

According to a World Bank Group⁽¹⁾ report, global demand for lithium is expected to increase to nearly 500% of 2018 levels by 2050. This increasing demand necessitates lithium extraction from new sources in addition to traditional open-pit mining. Direct lithium extraction can help increase access to lithium beyond conventional rock mining and tap into resources such as salt lake brine, geothermal brine, and surface and sub-surface clay.

Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) offers several advantages over traditional brine mining, leveraging a membrane-based process that reduces chemical usage and enables better water management in arid locations. DLE enables lithium extraction from lower-concentration sources, faster implementation, and continuous lithium production.

Membrane Development Specialists, a California-based solutions provider, use FilmTec™ reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes in DLE systems around the world to help maximize their recovery of lithium and water.

Watch the testimonial video to discover how FilmTec™ membranes, including the new FilmTec™ LiNE-XD nanofiltration elements, can help enable reliable performance, increased water and lithium recovery, and reduced energy consumption in DLE operations.

Sources: (1) World Bank Group report