CleanTech Lithium PLC (AIM:CTL, OTCQX:CTLHF) has completed due diligence on the use of industrial forward osmosis (iFO) technology as part of the downstream conversion process in its DLE pilot plant.
The exploration and development company, which focuses on sustainable lithium projects in Chile, is trialling iFO as an alternative to conventional thermal evaporators for eluate concentration.
CleanTech reported that iFO can lower energy consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 60% compared to standard methods.
Additionally, the technology demonstrates high efficiency when using solar thermal power.
Forward Water Technology in Canada supplied a iFO demonstration unit, which is being transported to Conductive Energy in Chicago for testing.
The testing will involve converting eluate from the company’s pilot plant in Copiapó, Chile, using brine from Laguna Verde to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate.
Cleantech is evaluating both iFO and conventional evaporators for the Laguna Verde pre-feasibility study (PFS), currently underway.
Steve Kesler, CleanTech’s executive chairman and interim chief executive, said, “Our team has undertaken a tremendous amount of work on selecting and optimising the DLE process for the Laguna Verde project, and this has extended to the downstream conversion process where we are working with Conductive Energy.
Previous test-work confirmed that a downstream process has been developed that will efficiently produce battery-grade lithium carbonate for the Laguna Verde project at pilot scale, including use of Forward Osmosis which we are investigating as an alternative for eluate concentration.
“This has the potential to lower energy consumption, CO2 emissions and both capital and operating costs.”
The iFO unit is expected to arrive at Conductive Energy’s facility within two weeks, with an initial volume of eighty-eight cubic metres of eluate, equivalent to approximately one tonne of lithium carbonate equivalent, ready for conversion.