A team of researchers from the Korean Institute of Nuclear Energy (KFE) has made a significant breakthrough in the field of lithium mining.
The new method, based on microwave plasma CO2 technology, has greatly increased the efficiency of lithium extraction compared to traditional methods. This innovation comes at a time when the demand for lithium is on the rise due to the rapid transition to sustainable energy solutions, promising to meet the evolving needs of a greener future.
Currently, two main methods are used for lithium extraction, each with its own challenges. The traditional approach involves mixing sodium carbonate with lithium-rich salted water to obtain lithium carbonate through a complex process. However, this method often results in lithium carbonate being mixed with sodium impurities, requiring additional steps for separation.
An alternative approach that utilizes carbon dioxide as a reagent presents new opportunities. Yet, this method faces difficulties due to low lithium extraction coefficients as lithium salt forms stable connections with chlorine, complicating the extraction process.
The team utilized microwave plasma discharge technology with carbon dioxide to significantly enhance lithium extraction. By ionizing carbon dioxide into a plasma state, the researchers achieved a key breakthrough in the quest for more effective extraction methods.
Experiments conducted on simulated brine demonstrated a three-fold increase in the extraction rate when utilizing plasma technology. Results showed that direct administration of carbon dioxide led to a modest extraction efficiency of 10.3%, while the use of carbon dioxide plasma increased this rate to an impressive 27.87%.
The study underscores the crucial role of plasma technology in enhancing lithium extraction processes, highlighting its advantages. Dr. Jong Kyn Yang from KFE, the lead author of the research, noted: “Experiments confirmed that the activation of carbon dioxide plasma significantly accelerates lithium release through the generation of heating, ions, and radicals. We believe that our method can help address the issue of lithium scarcity and expedite the advancement of green energy.”
This new method offers a potential solution to the growing problem of lithium scarcity seen in recent years. As a critical component in electric vehicle batteries, lithium production must be ramped up to meet the rising demand.