Monash University researchers have developed a technology to extract lithium directly from extreme environments including deserts.
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 have co-led the research.
Their technology—EDTA-aided loose nanofiltration (EALNF)—is new in lithium processing. It uniquely extracts both lithium and magnesium simultaneously, unlike traditional methods that treat magnesium salts as waste.
The type of nanofiltration uses a selective chelating agent to separate lithium from other minerals, especially magnesium, which is often present in brines and difficult to remove.
As part of the research, studies have been conducted on brines from China’s Longmu Co Lake and Dongtai Lake to show the technology in action extracting lithium from low-grade brines with high magnesium content.
“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,” Dr Li said.
“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 also turns leftover magnesium into a valuable, high-quality product that can be sold, reducing waste and its impact on the environment.
Beyond its advanced efficiency, the EALNF system brings innovation to address major environmental concerns associated with lithium extraction. Unlike conventional methods that deplete vital 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.”
The full study has been published in the Nature Sustainability journal.