A team of engineers from Monash University have developed an advanced method for extracting lithium and magnesium. The technology is known as EDTA-assisted nanofiltration ( EALNF ), which extracts lithium directly from extreme locations such as the deserts of Bolivia, where conventional methods historically fail.
New technology for lithium and magnesium extraction
It has the ability to separate lithium and magnesium simultaneously , optimizing the process and increasing efficiency. While current methods consider magnesium as “waste ,” EALNF turns it into a valuable byproduct that can be marketed, minimizing waste and reducing environmental impact. In addition, the system is faster, reducing extraction time from years to weeks.
Lithium-rich brines , especially those located in hard-to-reach environments such as Tibet or Bolivia , have been largely ignored due to extreme conditions that make their exploitation unviable. However, technology developed by Monash allows these sources to become contributors to the global supply chain.
Dr. Zhikao Li, one of the project leaders, highlights that this method is more efficient and sustainable, because it produces fresh water as a byproduct, an essential advantage for arid regions. This innovative approach helps alleviate the growing scarcity of lithium, and also responds to the environmental challenges posed by traditional extraction.
Studies conducted at Longmu Co and Dongtai lakes in China have shown that this technology can be applied to low quality, high magnesium sources, providing exceptional results.
With a 90% recovery rate, almost double that of conventional methods, the EALNF system is ready for large-scale adoption in industrial applications. According to the developers, the technology can be rapidly scaled up, offering an effective solution to the growing global demand for lithium for batteries and other technologies essential to the transition to clean energy.
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Source: Monash University
Photo: Shutterstock
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