A new method seems to be the white goldwhere geothermal is crucial. NASTY Room They both have enough. In the meantime, the “white gold” the United States relates to the serious damage it could cause. He “white gold‘To what we refer is the lithium, the third element of the periodic system, after hydrogen and helium. It was discovered in 1817 by the Swedish chemist Johan August ArfwedsonHe demonstrated that he was present in minerals such as Spodip and Lepidotita.
The function it has made “white gold‘From the moment it is incredible ability to store energy. It makes it possible to collect large amounts of load in relatively limited spaces. His big leap to Roem took place in the early 90s, when the Japanese company Sony He launched his first rechargeable lithium ion battery.
Since then Lito de “white gold“, Because it is part of most batteries of all species on the market. It is implemented in all kinds of devices, which have successfully introduced the bright car market. That is why demand has increased exponentially in recent years and has become a strategic mineral.
They find the final method to operate white gold: geothermal is of vital importance
Generally the refining of “white gold“It is made of Salmuelas that need a solar evaporation and chemical precipitation systems that ultimately waste considerable amounts of water stocks. In this context, a group of researchers is of the Universidad George Washington He has investigated alternative systems to extract it.
Has called his project, published in Nature communication“ «Electro-driven direct lithium extraction from geothermal brine to generate lithium hydroxide of battery worthiness». In the method they represent, aggressive chemicals that can damage the environment are avoided. They use a special material that selectively catches the lithium ions of the brine.
So the “white gold“Acquired is converted into lithium chloride and finally in lithium hydroxide, optimal for use in electric vehicles. The process consists of a deionisation cell by intercalation (IDI) and a BMED cell. With this new methodology, the end result was a product with a purity of 99 , 5% in lithium hydroxide.
In addition, they successfully produced a purity of 99.6% ± 0.2% LIOH solution that delivers LICL solution in BMED and generated LioH-H2O fabric through crystallization.
Although it is a technology that has not yet been deployed on a commercial scale and that will only be done in the coming years, the researchers warn that current lithium sources, including hard rock mining and saline, will be insufficient to cover global needs that come it.
“This study introduces a respectful solution with the environment that benefits from the source of geothermal Salmuelas, in particular from sources such as the Salon Sea in California. Recent studies showed an estimated deficit of 538,000 tons in the range by 2030, “they appreciated.
“White gold” by geothermal energy: the new system that could implement Spain
And they added: “Geothermal Salmueras Rich in lithium are also detected in deep tectonic sedimentary basins Germany y France and in the volcano sedimentary environment of Italy And also on the plateau Qinghai-tíbet a China“.
“Finally, we perform a Techno-economic analysis (ASD) to evaluate the economic competitive capacity of this technology and to estimate the leveling costs of the LIOH-H2O produced (LCOL) in 4.6 USD/kg LIOH-H2O, which roughly A third is market price in January 2024 ”.
Although the project has been prepared in US could be executed in Room Due to the geothermal potential of the country, especially in the Canary IslandsAnd his presence of lithium. As reported Ephe Last month, the British company Berkeley claims to have found extensive lithium areas in the Conchas Project, Salamanca, Spain.
A new method to the white gold He reaches the world, with geothermal energy as a key to everything and looks at her Room. If you want more about the situation of geothermal energy RoomIn this article we are expanding the current scenario.