Lilac Solutions operates a test site at the Great Salt Lake, demonstrating a novel DLE technology that selectively extracts lithium ions from brine with minimal water usage. Unlike conventional hard-rock mining and brine evaporation, which require high water consumption and cause environmental degradation, this method uses ceramic beads to recover lithium sustainably. The company reports recovery rates of 87% with 99.97% purity from low-grade brine at just 70 ppm lithium concentration, emphasizing its capability to work in challenging conditions.
The technology offers significant potential to increase US lithium supplies amid growing demand driven by electric vehicles and grid storage, and to reduce reliance on lithium production dominated by China. Lilac plans to build the first commercial DLE plant in Utah by 2027, producing 5,000 tons annually, which could be scaled up to several times that volume. However, regulatory scrutiny over water usage at the shrinking Great Salt Lake and the economics of extracting lithium from low-concentration brines pose risks. Still, the company’s business model to license technology rather than vertically integrate as a miner may enable broader adoption across various deposit types.
This innovation occurs amid broader US efforts to develop domestic lithium resources, navigating environmental and community concerns around projects like Nevada’s Thacker Pass mine. Lilac aims to serve as a technology provider for large producers including Exxon and Chevron, potentially streamlining lithium extraction in diverse locations. Their technology could shift the lithium supply chain towards more environmentally friendly and water-efficient methods, critical for meeting future energy and climate goals.
👉 Pročitaj original: MIT Technology Review – AI
