Thermal and electric cars “feed” the same source. It is the promise that gains strength after the latest development from Volt Lithiuman American company that successfully produced battery-grade lithium carbonate from the brines of an oil field in the Permian Basin, Texas and New Mexico. This milestone not only signifies a step forward in lithium mining technology, but also the opportunity to better utilize Earth’s resources to power traditional and electric vehicles. Furthermore, this advance was made in a deposit in which much hope had not been placed, since the tests carried out so far indicated that there were other deposits with better characteristics for obtaining a carbonate of lithium also pure.
US-based Volt Lithium has achieved 99.5% purity in lithium carbonate produced from its Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) system, an innovative technology that extracts lithium from brines without resorting to the large evaporation basins that are present. commonly used. This breakthrough was made possible through a series of tests in an oil field in the Permian Basin, an area rich in hydrocarbons and, now, potentially high-quality lithium.
Volt Lithium CEO Alex Wylie recently expressed satisfaction with the progress, saying that the production of battery-grade lithium carbonate in the Permian Basin represents a “significant milestone” for the company and the industry. Volt Lithium is seeking to position itself as one of North America’s first commercial producers of lithium from oil fields, which could ensure a secure source of critical minerals for the region.
To understand the importance of this advancement, it is essential to know what battery grade lithium carbonate is. This compoundwith chemical formula Li?CO?, is mainly used in the production of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, such as lithium iron phosphate (LFP). and lithium manganate oxide (LMO), both essential for manufacturing rechargeable batteries. In recent years, the global demand for this compound has increased exponentially due to its use in the electronic device industry and, in particular, in electric vehicles.
Volt Lithium’s extraction process is based on three high-precision stages: in the first, it purifies the brine of the deposit, removing up to 99% of contaminants. Then, in a second phase, its DLE technology makes it possible to extract lithium with 99% efficiency. Finally, the third step involves the purification and concentration of the eluent (solvent) to produce lithium carbonate meeting battery industry standards.
Although Volt Lithium’s success is recent, attempts to extract lithium from oil fields are not new. Indeed, the Smackover formation, which extends from Texas to Florida, has been the subject of exploration for lithium extraction for several years. In this formation, brines rich in bromine and lithium have been found, and several companies have expressed interest in commercial lithium production from these wells, such as ExxonMobil and Standard Lithium, in partnership with Norwegian producer Equinor.
Direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology has been the driving force behind this change. Although developed in the 1970s and 1980s, it is only now achieving concrete results in the large-scale production of lithium from unconventional sources, such as oil field brines. This technology is notable for avoiding large evaporation pools, allowing for faster and less environmentally invasive extraction, ideal for areas such as Smackover and the Permian Basin.
The Permian Basin, in particular, is one of the largest epicenters of oil and gas production in the United States. However, in a recent study by the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas at Austin, it was concluded that the brines in this area have lower lithium concentrations than those in Smackover. Nevertheless, Volt Lithium’s experience demonstrates that viable production can be achieved with the appropriate technology and processes.
This technological advancement could also reduce the United States’ dependence on other countries for lithium supplies. Currently, The main producers of lithium are Australia, Chile and China, while the United States has only a small portion of the global market, with operations in the Silver Peak field in Nevada. The ability to extract lithium from oil fields, leveraging existing infrastructure, opens new opportunities for the country to increase its production of this key mineral.
Demand for lithium continues to rise globally, with growth expected to reach up to 1.5 million tonnes by 2025, driven by the growing popularity of electric vehicles and energy storage systems. renewable. To meet this demand, diversifying extraction sources is essential, and oil deposits could play a key role.
The oil field paradox
In this context, lithium carbonate plays a crucial role. In addition to being the basic component of many batteries, lithium carbonate is relatively safe to transport and store, unlike its highly reactive pure metallic form. Its versatility has increased its popularity in industries as varied as glass, ceramics and pharmaceuticals.
This achievement by Volt Lithium highlights an interesting paradox: the same deposits that were once “guilty” of a large part of CO emissions? could now be part of the solution for the energy transition. By using these wells to produce battery-grade lithium, resource use is maximized and environmental impact is minimized, extracting two key resources for future mobility from a single well.
As Industry advances in exploring technologies such as DLEThe future of lithium mining in North American oil fields looks bright. With the opportunity to create a secure, regional source of lithium, the energy industry could take an important step towards a more sustainable model less dependent on imports.
Volt Lithium continues to refine its technology in the Permian Basin and plans to continue producing lithium carbonate and lithium chloride concentrates through the end of 2024, with hopes of establishing a viable business model in the future. close. In a world where demand for lithium is only increasing, these advances represent an opportunity for North America to position itself as a leader in the production of this essential mineral.
