US-based Lilac Solutions, which is developing direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, has demonstrated operation of its lithium extraction demonstration plant in Jujuy, Argentina.

The plant uses Lilac’s fourth-generation ion exchange (IX) technology, achieving 91% lithium recovery from salar brine with a lithium grade of 300 mg/​L and a 99.4% overall rejection of impurities including sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium and boron. The process achieved 99.9% rejection of sodium, which is the primary impurity in the feed brine.

The demonstration plant has a lithium extraction module built with 100% off-the-shelf equipment, matching the commercial design at approximately one-third commercial scale.

The plant has an annual throughput capacity of 42 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent if run continuously. It can produce raw eluate containing lithium concentration of 2,300 mg/​L prior to any further downstream concentration or treatment. The consistently high and stable eluate purity supports a cycle life estimate of over 4,000 IX media cycles on the Jujuy brine, which is consistent with the performance seen at mini-pilot scale, according to the company.

“The success of our Jujuy demonstration plant is a major validation of Lilac’s technology and team,” said Raef Sully, the company’s CEO. ​“We’ve proven that our Gen 4 ion exchange technology can meet and exceed the plant design basis under real-world conditions. This milestone advances Lilac toward full commercial deployment and strengthens our ability to help producers bring new lithium projects online.”

Source: Lilac Solutions