A new thermodiffusive method boosts lithium extraction from brine, increasing output 40-fold while cutting energy use and corrosion.
Australian National University researchers have developed a simple, cost-effective technique that could transform how valuable resources like lithium are extracted from brine deposits.The new work builds on the world’s first thermal desalination method, introduced by ANU in 2024, where water stays liquid throughout.
The team’s new research found that using uneven heat and slowly changing salt levels in the system could increase the amount of liquid collected by nearly 40 times. Additionally, adding partial thermal insulation to the system made it much more energy efficient.According to researchers, the method presents a more environmentally friendly approach to brine mining, a key process in global lithium production. “Our thermodiffusive method has been successfully used for water desalination, while reducing energy costs and corrosion issues,” said Juan Felipe Torres, Associate Professor and Lead Chief Investigator, in a statement.In January 2025, engineers at the University of Michigan and Rice University developed carbon cloth electrodes that efficiently remove boron from seawater, offering a safer, chemical-free solution for desalination.Liquid cascade innovationDesalination is a crucial remedy for the world’s freshwater shortage, but it has drawbacks such as high energy consumption, negative environmental effects, and expensive materials. Conventional techniques can be divided into two groups: membrane-based systems like reverse osmosis , which are more effective but need costly maintenance and a lot of electricity, and energy-intensive heat procedures.To solve these problems, ANU researchers created thermodiffusive desalination , a revolutionary, all-liquid, membrane-free method powered by mild heat. TDD is simpler to scale, prevents phase change, and lowers corrosion than traditional techniques.Thermodiffusive separation concept and device implementation.The new study demonstrates the potential of a liquid Burgers cascade to enhance TDD and thermodiffusive salination for both desalination and brine concentration. Significant performance improvements were achieved by the design’s incorporation of essential elements such as flow-based partial separation, U-shaped conductive boundaries for optimal temperature distribution, targeted recovery rates, and thermal insulation.Researchers believe the method has potential for treating high-salinity brines, which are frequently seen in desalination and the oil and gas sector, without the need for membranes or dangerous chemicals.High-efficiency desalinationIn this investigation, the scientists used actual seawater from the Australian shore to test the LBC. They discovered that it significantly improved water recovery and successfully lowered salt levels compared to previous single-channel arrangements. The findings confirmed the system’s dependability, which closely matched computer simulations.They experimented with many techniques to improve performance, including insulating system components, modifying temperature distribution, regulating flow conditions, and selecting the ideal recovery rate. Compared to the basic design, these modifications resulted in a roughly 40-fold improvement in water production and energy efficiency.According to researchers, LBC offers a scalable, energy-efficient pathway toward zero liquid discharge , with further improvements expected under high-pressure conditions.“Our research shows how our method is able to manipulate brine concentration for salt production without evaporation. Future improvements could increase the flow rate and energy efficiency by at least 40 times,” Dr. Shuqi Xu, a research fellow at ANU and co-author of the study, said in a statement.The details of the team’s research were published in the journal Nature Water.
Australian National University Desalination Envirornmental Friendly Liquid Burgers Cascade Lithium Lithium Extraction Reverse Osmosis Thermodiffusive Desalination
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