Lithium Nanofiltration in Direct Lithium Extraction: Purification and Recovery

Lithium (Li) Nanofiltration in DLE Membrane characteristics needed: High Li to multivalent selectivity High Li passage (almost 100% or DIVALENT IMPURITY above) MAXIMIZE REMOVAL (NF) Lithium stream Loose membrane to enable high Purity & Yield system recovery Durability (specifically in low pH) DuPont Water Solutions has developed a NF membrane suitable for DLE applications ©2024 DuPont. Li Nanofiltration: Impact of pH Mg-feed Performance Data – Mg Mg-perm 5000 High divalent Concentrate 4000 rejection at low 3000 Permeate 2000 pH 1000 NF Feed Tank Feed pH Pump Heat exchanger Negligible impact of pH on Li passage )mpp( noitartnecnoC 7.7 6.2 4.8 3. Performance Data – Li, Na Li-feed Li-perm Na-feed Na-perm 800 600 400 200 Feed pH )mpp( noitartnecnoC Feed composition: Li 500 mg/l, Na 500 mg/l, Mg 5,000 mg/l – chloride anion Operating factors: 15% recovery, 25C, flux 15 lmh, room temperature, feed pressure 180-200 psi 7.7 6.2 4.8 3.3 4” Lithium Nanofiltration element prototype ©2024 DuPont. Li+ High Lithium Li+ passage Li+ High system productivity Delivers high Li mass recovery Li+ Membrane Li+ Lower energy consumption Selectivity M2+ High Area High membrane selectivity Delivers purity High Permeability More effective divalent rejection at lower pH Performance Durability – suitable for Customer also looks for long element service life continuous operation in pH 3-4 range ©2024 DuPont. Li Nanofiltration: Beyond DLE Currently DLE process is primarily applicable to chloride-rich brine Sulfate-rich Feed, pH 1.3-1.4 stream (source: salt-lakes, salars, geothermal 0.9 brine, smackover brine etc.) 0.8 0.7 0. Polyamide NF In the DLE NF process, the 0. Polysulfonamide NF 0.4 presence of monovalent anions 0.3 facilitates a high Li passage with a 0.2 high M+/M2+ selectivity 0.1 0.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 14.0 16.0 18.0 20.0 22. Measured permeate flux (gfd) However, performance is NOT attractive for a sulfate-rich brine (e.g., hard rock extraction using H SO , some natural 2 4 brine sources in China etc. ).rf( egassap iL derusaeM Flat sheet test Polyamide NF (piperazine based) is not stable at pH 1.3-1.4 for continuous operation ©2024 DuPont. FilmTec™ LiNE-XD and LiNE-XD HP Lithium Nanofiltration Element – eXtra Durable (LiNE-XD) Key features: Category Product Details Name FilmTec™ LiNE-XD and LiNE-XD HP High monovalent/divalent Membrane Thin film composite NF membrane selectivity Active area 400 ft2/element (industrial 8040 size) Max. operating 45 oC High productivity (high Lithium temp and water permeability) Max. operating 600 psig (std. element) pressure 1,200 psig (HP element) Reliable and robust element pH range 3-10 (continuous operation) lifetime 1-12 (short time CIP) Less compaction (HP – high pressure design) We offer 4040 prototype elements (std. and HP config.) for piloting) ©2024 DuPont.