Monash lithium technology could treat new mineral sources

Monash University engineers have developed and tested EDTA-aided loose nanofiltration (EALNF), a new method enabling direct lithium extraction from lithium-rich saltwater sources which are untappable using current methods.

With some predicting global lithium supply could fall short of demand as early as 2025, the innovative technology sets a new standard in lithium processing, according to the university.

The technology uniquely extracts both lithium and magnesium simultaneously, unlike traditional methods that treat magnesium salts as waste, making the process more sustainable.

The work was co-led by Dr Zhikao Li, from the Monash Suzhou Research Institute and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Professor Xiwang Zhang from the University of Queensland.

Studies undertaken on brines from China’s Longmu Co Lake and Dongtai Lake, published in the journal Nature Sustainability, demonstrate how EALNF could efficiently extract lithium from low-grade brines with high magnesium content.

At the heart of the innovation is a type of nanofiltration that uses a selective chelating agent to separate lithium from other minerals, especially magnesium, which is often present in brines and difficult to remove.

Dr Li said: “High-altitude salt brine flats in countries like China (Tibet and Qinghai) and Bolivia are examples of areas with tougher brine conditions that have traditionally been ignored.

“In remote desert areas, the vast amounts of water, chemicals and infrastructure required for conventional extraction just aren’t available either, underscoring the need for innovative technologies.

“With Monash University’s EALNF technology, these can now be commercially viable sources of lithium and valuable contributors to the global supply chain.

“Our technology achieves 90 percent lithium recovery, nearly double the performance of traditional methods, while dramatically reducing the time required for extraction from years to mere weeks.”

The technology turns leftover magnesium into a valuable, high-quality product that can be sold, reducing waste and its impact on the environment.

And unlike conventional methods that deplete water resources in arid regions, the technology produces freshwater as a by-product.

Dr Li said the system was flexible and ready for large-scale use, meaning it can quickly expand from testing to full industrial operations.

“This breakthrough is crucial for avoiding a future lithium shortage, making it possible to access lithium from hard-to-reach sources and helping power the shift to clean energy.”

Image: Monash University/Fangzhou Dong, Saifei Ma, Dihui Chu, Monash Suzhou Research Institute