Brine solutions that contain lithium are typically found in specific geological formations, such as salt flats, salt pans, and underground aquifers. These formations often contain lithium-rich minerals and sediments, which leach into the surrounding groundwater and form lithium-bearing brine solutions.
The process of extracting lithium from brine involves pumping the brine to the surface and allowing it to evaporate in large evaporation ponds. As the water evaporates, the concentration of lithium increases, and eventually, lithium compounds can be extracted and further processed to obtain lithium carbonate or other lithium products.
It’s worth noting that not all brine solutions contain economically viable concentrations of lithium. The availability and concentration of lithium in brine deposits can vary significantly from one location to another. Exploration and evaluation efforts are conducted to identify and assess the lithium content in brine sources before establishing commercial operations. Ion exchange techniques are being tested to recover lithium recovery brine solutions, a specific type of ion exchange resin is used that has an affinity for lithium ions. The resin is typically designed to selectively bind lithium ions while allowing other ions present in the brine, such as sodium, potassium, or magnesium, to pass through.
The process generally involves passing the brine solution through a column packed with the ion exchange resin. As the solution flows through the column, the lithium ions are captured by the resin, effectively removing them from the brine. The remaining brine, depleted of lithium, exits the column.
Once the resin is loaded with lithium ions, a regenerant solution is used to release the captured lithium ions and restore the resin’s capacity for further lithium capture. The regenerant solution typically contains a higher concentration of a competing ion, such as sodium or potassium, which displaces the lithium ions from the resin.
After regeneration, the resin can be reused for subsequent cycles of lithium ion capture and release. The recovered lithium from the regenerant solution can undergo further processing to obtain lithium compounds suitable for various applications.
It’s worth noting that the specific details and conditions of the ion exchange process for lithium recovery may vary depending on factors such as the composition of the brine, resin selection, and desired purity of the recovered lithium. Belmar provide commercial size Ion Exchange Pilot Plants to evaluate the potential recovery of valuable metals and Minerals such a Lithium, Copper, Nickel and Cobalt.
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Plant is wet tested for functionality before shipping to the client