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CleanTech Lithium PLC (LSE:CTL) has successfully completed due diligence on the implementation of industrial forward osmosis (iFO) technology within the downstream conversion process of its direct lithium extraction (DLE) pilot plant. The company, focused on sustainable lithium projects in Chile, is exploring iFO as an alternative to conventional thermal evaporators for concentrating eluate.
The findings indicate that iFO technology can reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 60% compared to traditional methods. Additionally, it demonstrates high efficiency when integrated with solar thermal power.
A demonstration unit provided by Forward Water Technology in Canada is currently en route to Conductive Energy in Chicago for testing. This testing phase will involve converting eluate sourced from CleanTech’s pilot plant in Copiapó, utilizing brine from Laguna Verde to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate.
CleanTech is concurrently evaluating both iFO and conventional evaporators as part of the Laguna Verde pre-feasibility study (PFS) currently in progress.
Steve Kesler, the executive chairman and interim chief executive of CleanTech, emphasized the significant efforts made by the team to optimize the DLE process for the Laguna Verde project, extending these considerations to the downstream conversion. He noted that prior testing has confirmed the effectiveness of a downstream process capable of producing battery-grade lithium carbonate at pilot scale, including the exploration of forward osmosis for eluate concentration.
This initiative aims to reduce energy consumption, lower CO2 emissions, and decrease both capital and operating costs. The iFO unit is anticipated to arrive at Conductive Energy’s facility within two weeks, with an initial volume of 88 cubic meters of eluate prepared for conversion, equating to approximately one tonne of lithium carbonate equivalent.
