Exciting News from CleanTech Lithium: Successful Production from DLE Pilot Plant
- An initial volume of 88m3 of concentrated eluate, equivalent to about one tonne of lithium carbonate, was produced from the DLE pilot plant in Copiapó, Chile
- This marks the completion of the first stage of production from the DLE pilot plant
- The DLE adsorbent achieved a lithium recovery rate of about 95% from the brine, with a total recovery rate of approximately 88%
- Impurity rejection rates were high, resulting in low impurity eluate suitable for downstream conversion
- The concentrated eluate is being shipped to Conductive Energy in Chicago, USA, for conversion into battery-grade lithium carbonate
Shipment Details:
| Shipment | Eluate Volume | Eluate Li Grade | LCE (kg) | Shipment Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24m3 | 2008 mg/L | 257 | Arrived process facility |
| 2 | 24m3 | 2360 mg/L | 301 | In Shipment |
| 3 | 24m3 | 2325 mg/L | 297 | In Shipment |
| 4 | 17.5m3 | 2464 mg/L | 230 | At departure port |
| Targeted | 90m3 | 2000 mg/L | 1022 | |
| Total Achieved | 88m3 | 2289 mg/L | 1085 |
Table 1: Status of concentrated eluate from pilot plant first stage production
- Conductive Energy completed test-work on a 200L sample of concentrated eluate to optimize downstream process
- Conversion test-work produced lithium carbonate samples with 99.75% purity, proving process efficiency
- Lithium carbonate production from pilot-scale DLE eluate confirmed for Laguna Verde project
- CleanTech Lithium remains a leader in DLE-based projects in Chile, providing large test samples to potential partners
- Reserve report for Laguna Verde scheduled for completion in October 2024
Statement from Steve Kesler, Executive Chairman and Interim CEO:
“We are thrilled by the successful production of battery-grade lithium from our Laguna Verde brine project. Our partnership with Forward Water and Conductive Energy has proven the efficiency of the entire DLE process, from brine to final lithium product.”
Pilot Plant Production Details:
The DLE pilot plant in Copiapó processed 1196m3 of brine from Laguna Verde, achieving high recovery rates and consistent quality.
Figures 1 and 2 showcase the plant’s total recovery rate and production rate, exceeding design capacity expectations.
Ion Exchange and Carbonation Process:
The eluate was concentrated using reverse osmosis before undergoing ion exchange to remove impurities.
Carbonation test-work resulted in 99.75% lithium carbonate purity, showcasing exceptional yield and quality.
Next Steps and Competitive Edge:
The updated reserve report for Laguna Verde, led by Montgomery and Associates, will support the project’s development.
CleanTech Lithium’s commitment to green production and sustainable practices sets it apart in the lithium industry.
For more information, contact CleanTech Lithium via the provided channels.
Disclaimer: The content shared in this post is considered inside information and is now in the public domain. For further inquiries, please refer to the original press release.