Lithium Recovery from Geothermal Fluid

Lithium holds a paramount role as the primary component in high-energy-density batteries and carries substantial significance, being a critical material essential for both national security and economic interests. The potential exploitation of brines derived from geothermal power generation as a domestic source of lithium has been acknowledged. However, extracting lithium from these brines presents distinct challenges due to their intricate chemical composition, elevated salinity, and high temperatures, which can influence the economic viability of the extraction process. The overarching objective of this study is to investigate and assess the direct lithium extraction method to establish sustainable lithium production from geothermal sources. This chapter primarily focuses on the issues associated with implementing direct lithium extraction technology for geothermal brines. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that this technique may also find application in lithium extraction from other types of brines.