The CRM-geothermal Milestone 13 ‘Definition of elements for which GDEx will be optimised’ has been successfully achieved by project partner VITO.
VITO G-DEx Team
In the coming months, the research of the GDEx technology to extract lithium from geothermal fluids and convert it into battery-grade lithium carbonate will continue. Future investigations will explore the technical feasibility of extracting additional elements through a multi-step GDEx process, with each step selectively recovering specific metals.
The GDEx process, based on Gas-Diffusion Electrocrystallisation, represents an innovative approach to extracting Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) by utilising gas-diffusion electrodes to enable precise chemical transformations. This method enhances efficiency while minimising chemical additives, making it both effective and environmentally friendly. Its flexible and scalable design allows for the controlled synthesis of targeted materials, positioning GDEx as a promising solution for industrial-scale lithium extraction and sustainable energy applications.
VITO has successfully optimised GDEx operational parameters for processing natural brine solutions, achieving lithium removal efficiencies exceeding 95%. The extracted lithium, initially in the form of Li-Al layered double hydroxides, requires further processing into lithium carbonate for battery production. Moving forward, VITO aims to refine reactor design and optimise energy consumption while exploring the extraction of other CRMs. This advancement could significantly reduce the environmental impact of the battery industry and lessen reliance on scarce natural resources.
