Novel Extraction and Responsible Sourcing of Lithium from Unconventional Brine and Hard Rock Resources

df2f2b54-41a8-4a13-880c-3f9acd8b4970

Closed

EPSRC
NERC
NERC
NERC
NERC

No funds listed.

Jan. 7, 2019

June 30, 2023

How can the UK thrive as we move into a world dominated by Li batteries? How will the UK find, develop & secure the necessary resources to do so? You can be at the forefront in answering these questions by developing brand-new routes for direct extraction of lithium from UK brines and hard-rock sources. In doing so, you will help Cornish Lithium Ltd. (CLL) to become a world-leader in environmentally-responsible extraction of lithium and become one of the world-experts in lithium extraction technologies.

Driven by the worldwide transition towards a low carbon future powered by renewable and green energy (and significantly by the move towards electric vehicles), global demand for lithium for use within batteries is predicted to increase from 217,000 tonnes LCE in 2017 (Lithium Carbonate Equivalent; Reuters) to 785,000 tonnes LCE by 2025 (Roskill). To be able to meet this demand, the Li industry must rapidly identify and develop new sources of lithium in addition to more traditional mining projects. In this dynamic and fast paced industry, it is imperative that the extractive technologies must also evolve and develop to account for the diverse range of new potential sources of Li.

Cornish Lithium Ltd. (CLL) are at the forefront of exploration for new and unconventional lithium (Li) deposits within the UK & Europe. Based in South West England, they are looking to define and explore the potential of Li contained in solution within geothermal brines, and in primary and secondary hard rock sources including granites, and legacy wastes from mining and bulk extractive industries. This may also also extend to technologies which have applications in battery recycling.

You will build on your pre-existing skillset to help Cornish Lithium evaluate the potential for responsible lithium extraction from brine and hard rock sources in SW England. Through this programme, you will develop expertise in scientific research and engineering with a commercial focus. To do this, you will work with CLL and experts from the Universities of Exeter, Warwick and Cranfield to complete a portfolio of project work which will likely include:

Developing novel, energy-efficient and environmentally responsible extraction techniques for lithium
and other technology metals from geothermal brines.
Exploring the environmental impacts of potential re-injection of geothermal brines once lithium has
been extracted.
Developing a theoretical model for extraction potential at different pressure-temperature conditions
i.e. model the effects that increased temperature has on reaction rates and explore the potential
economic benefits of utilising the geothermal heat and energy contained within the brines during
processing.
Consolidating knowledge on processing of legacy deposits for lithium in UK / Europe, then designing
and carrying out laboratory tests to delineate which techniques are most suitable for CLL.
Evaluating the opportunities for responsible sourcing of lithium & other critical battery and
technology metals within the UK.
Completing life cycle analyses to investigate the circular economy around decarbonisation and
responsible sourcing of lithium.

Potential Impact:
There are seven principal groups of beneficiaries for our new EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing :

1. Collaborating companies and organisations, who will gain privileged access to the unique concentration of research knowledge and skills available at the Centre through active participation in doctoral research projects. In the Centre we will explore innovative ideas in conjunction with business partners, end users and the research councils. Showcase events and promotion of R&D outcomes through other means (e.g. White Papers) will offer opportunities to a much broader spectrum of potentially collaborating companies and other organisations. The supporting companies will benefit from cross-sector learning opportunities and:
a) Specific innovations within the project that make a significant impact on the company.
b) A team member who can provide rigour within a real environment and encourage others to do the same.
c) A leader able to work at a global level.
d) Increased collaboration with academia.

2. Early-stage investors, who will gain access to commercial opportunities that have been validated through proof-of-concept.

3. Academics at the partner universities and wider institutions, who will benefit from collaborative research and exploitation opportunities in our new Centre. Exchange visits made possible by the Centre will undoubtedly lead to a wider spectrum of research, educational and exploitation collaborations.

4. REs, who will establish their reputations as part of the Centre. Training and experiences within the Centre will increase their awareness of such important issues as IP identification, commercialisation opportunities and engagement with the public.

5. Taught students at the partner universities and other institutions, who will benefit from incorporation of the collaborative R&D outputs in educational content and the feedback of 'industrial' relevance from the organisations exploiting the knowledge.

6. The Universities of Warwick, Cranfield and Exeter who will enhance their international profile. In addition to the immediate gains such as high quality academic publications and presentations during the course of the Centre, the University's gains from the collaboration with industry that will continue long after the participants graduate. This is shown by the
a) Follow-on research activities in related areas.
b) Willingness of past graduates to:
i) Act as advocates of the EngD programme - many new participants are being encouraged and supported by our graduates.
ii) Participation in the Industrial Steering Group of our proposed new Centre.
iii) Act as mentors to current REs.

7. Citizens of the UK. Since we have identified key fields in sustainable materials and manufacturing technology which are of current strategic importance to the country and will demonstrate the route by which these will impact our lives. Our current EngD Centres have shown considerable impact on policy makers as evidenced in numerous events held within Westminster and EPSRC. Our proposed centre will continue to give this benefit. We have built into the Centre activities to develop wider competences in the RE in:
a) Communication - presentations, video, journal paper, workshop.
b) Exploitation - business plan and exploitation route for research.
c) Public Understanding - science ambassador, schools event, website, Wikipedia.