Extraction of Lithium from Brine—Old and New Chemistry

Conventionally, lithiumLithium -bearing brines are processed via solar evaporationEvaporation , chemical purificationPurification , and either electrolysis to lithiumLithium hydroxide or precipitationPrecipitation of lithiumLithium carbonate. LithiumLithium -ion battery technology and electric vehicles are forecast to greatly increase the demand for lithiumLithium , but not all lithiumLithium -bearing brines are amenable to the conventional extractionExtraction process and new approaches are being developed. The chemistry associated with conventional lithiumLithium extractionExtraction is outlined and two new approaches are discussed.