CleanTech Lithium reports positive DLE test results

The positive results have informed the selection and ordering of the lithium adsorbent to be used in the company’s pilot plant, which has finished construction at the R&D Centre in Copiapó and is in the process of being commissioned and tested.

DLE Process Work Highlights:

• Extensive Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) work undertaken in 2023 to optimise the process.
• Progress in the process work has now led to the selection of adsorbent from Xián Lanshen New Material Technology (Lanshen) as the preferred adsorbent for the company’s pilot plant.
• Recently completed multi-cycle tests on Laguna Verde brine produced very positive results for key DLE metrics: adsorbent capacity, lithium recovery rates, and eluate composition.
• These results are achieved without pH adjustment in pre-treatment or heating of the brine or eluant, with distilled water used for desorption.
• The results indicate that brine from Laguna Verde has low contaminants and is conducive to DLE.
• The company’s dedicated DLE testing laboratory in Antofagasta, Chile, has played an important role in testing adsorbents.
• Lanshen is a leader in DLE and has signed an agreement with Koch Technology Solutions (Koch), a subsidiary of Koch Industries (USA), to exclusively distribute Lanshen adsorbent for Koch’s DLE process in the North American and European markets.
• The company’s pilot plant has now been filled with Lanshen adsorbent and is in the latter stages of commissioning.

Commenting, Aldo Boitano, Chief Executive Officer, of CleanTech Lithium PLC, said:

“The DLE sector is rapidly evolving, we are seeing developments from several companies all around the world to advance the production of lithium. Our trip to China towards the end of last year was enlightening, we were able to see on the ground the remarkable opportunity DLE provides for the lithium sector and the adoption of electric vehicles and clean energy storage solutions.

“Informed by the results we have announced today, our DLE pilot plant has now been loaded with Lanshen’s adsorbent, and plant commissioning is in process. This is a significant milestone for the company, as we aim to achieve process and product verification in 2024.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/30012024/cleantech-lithium-reports-positive-dle-test-results/