- CTL has investigated utilising iFO for eluate focus, step one within the downstream conversion course of, with the strategy reaching increased water restoration and as much as 60% decrease power consumption and CO2 emissions in comparison with utilizing typical thermal evaporators
- iFO additionally has excessive effectivity when utilising photo voltaic thermal for energy provide
- An iFO demonstration unit, offered by Ahead Water Expertise based mostly in Canada, is getting ready for cargo from Toronto to the services of Conductive Power in Chicago, USA
- Conductive Power will convert the eluate produced from our DLE pilot plant in Copiapó, Chile, utilizing feed brine from Laguna Verde, into battery grade lithium carbonate
- The Firm is assessing each iFO and standard thermal evaporators for the focus stage for the Laguna Verde PFS, which is at the moment underway
- An preliminary quantity of 88m3 of concentrated eluate, equal to roughly one tonne of lithium carbonate equal (LCE), is at Conductive Power´s facility, with transport and commissioning of the iFO unit anticipated to take roughly two weeks
- This progress continues to make CleanTech Lithium a pacesetter in exploration and growth of a DLE-based venture in Chile and can present the flexibility to supply massive check samples of lithium carbonate to potential offtake companions searching for product qualification
Steve Kesler, Govt Chairman and Interim CEO, of CleanTech Lithium PLC, mentioned:
“Our staff has undertaken an incredible quantity of labor on choosing and optimising the DLE course of for the Laguna Verde venture, and this has prolonged to the downstream conversion course of the place we’re working with Conductive Power. Earlier test-work confirmed {that a} downstream course of has been developed that may effectively produce battery-grade lithium carbonate for the Laguna Verde venture at pilot scale, together with use of Ahead Osmosis which we’re investigating in its place for eluate focus. This has the potential to decrease power consumption, CO2 emissions and each capital and working prices.”
Additional Data
CleanTech Lithium has engaged Conductive Power for the conversion of lithium chloride eluate, produced utilizing feed brine from Laguna Verde at our DLE pilot plant in Copiapó, Chile, into battery-grade lithium carbonate. 4 containers of eluate with a complete quantity of 88m3 have been acquired by Conductive Power at its Chicago, USA, facility with conversion to start in October 2024. Conductive Power´s conversion course of is proven in Determine 1 which is predicated on normal trade course of steps, aside from the trialing of Ahead Osmosis within the eluate focus stage as a substitute for utilizing a comparatively extra power intensive thermal evaporator.
Determine 1: Conductive Power Conversion Course of
As due diligence in investigating various applied sciences able to bettering course of efficiency, iFO was trialed in course of test-work on a 200L pattern of eluate undertaken at Conductive Power´s services in Q2 2024. The complete outcomes of this test-work, which produced a pattern of battery grade lithium with a purity of 99.75% lithium carbonate, was reported to the market on July 22, 2024. Outcomes of the iFO stage of the check work achieved excellent efficiency supporting the substitute of a thermal evaporator in concentrating eluate, with the important thing parameters and outcomes offered in Desk 1:
Parameter |
Unit |
Concentrated Eluate |
R/O Focus |
iFO Focus |
Lithium (Li) |
mg/L |
2,194 |
5,700 |
18,000 |
Whole Dissolve Solids (TDS) |
mg/L |
19,260 |
62,000 |
190,000 |
Laboratory |
ALS Chile |
Lambton.Scientific |
Lambton.Scientific |
|
Quantity |
L |
215.5 |
66.3 |
13.9 |
Discount in Quantity |
% |
69.3% |
94% |
Desk 1: Outcomes from focus of Laguna Verde eluate by means of R/O adopted by iFO
A focus of 18,000mg/L Li was set because the goal focus throughout iFO testing, consultant of a typical lithium focus used within the carbonation conversion course of. Based mostly on the Laguna Verde eluate, iFO can focus lithium as much as 50,000 mg/L Li. Whole water restoration of 94% was achieved through the eluate focus, with the remaining 6% recycled or returned within the course of. The DLE adsorbent used to supply the concentrated eluate achieved very excessive impurity rejection charges, aside from boron, as beforehand reported (RNS July 22, 2024).
iFO testing was optimised for boron elimination leading to a 55% discount based mostly on weight. The achieved boron discount is important enabling improved course of effectivity and product high quality, whereas decreasing power consumption and working prices related to elimination of boron utilizing Ion Change (IX), which is the final course of step previous to carbonation. Within the Laguna Verde PFS at the moment underway, recovering this boron as a saleable by-product is being investigated.
Different advantages of iFO use embody a 60% discount in power consumption in comparison with typical thermal evaporators, and as much as 80% if operated utilizing a renewable power supply resembling photo voltaic thermal as depicted in Determine 2 beneath. iFO´s low power use when in comparison with thermal evaporation permits CO2 emission discount by as much as 60%, underscoring the sustainability advantages of this modern expertise.
Determine 2: Depiction of economic scale iFO plant with photo voltaic thermal energy provide
Because of iFO efficiency throughout testing, CTL requested Conductive Power to exchange the thermal evaporator with iFO through the downstream conversion course of for the following stage of conversion test-work, during which further iFO working data may be obtained resembling power necessities. A iFO demonstration unit with the capability to course of 35 m3/day of concentrated eluate might be provided by Ahead Water Applied sciences, which is proven in Determine 3 beneath, when ultimate commissioning was underway. The unit is now prepared for cargo from Toronto, Canada, and is anticipated to reach on the Conductive Power facility in Chicago, USA, in roughly one week. An additional one week of on web site commissioning is deliberate earlier than the eluate conversion course of will begin.
Determine 3: iFO demonstration unit with capability to course of 35 m3/day of eluate in ultimate commissioning
Competent Individuals
The next skilled acts as certified individual, as outlined within the AIM Notice for Mining, Oil and Fuel Firms (June 2009) and JORC Code (2012):
Marcelo Bravo: Chemical Engineer (Universidad Católica del Norte), has a Grasp’s Diploma in Engineering Sciences main in Mineral Processing, Universidad de Antofagasta. He at the moment works as a Senior Course of Consulting Engineer on the Advert-Infinitum firm. Mr Bravo has related expertise in researching and growing potassium, lithium carbonate, and photo voltaic evapo-concentration design processes in Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. Mr Bravo, who has reviewed and accepted the knowledge contained within the chapters related to his experience contained on this announcement, is registered with No. 412 within the public registry of Competent Individuals in Mining Assets and Reserves per the Legislation of Individuals Competent and its Rules in drive in Chile. Mr Bravo has adequate expertise related to the metallurgical checks and the kind of subsequent processing of the extracted brines into consideration and to the exercise being carried out to qualify as a reliable individual, as outlined within the JORC Code. Mr Bravo consents to the inclusion within the press launch of the issues based mostly on his data within the kind and context during which it seems.
The knowledge communicated inside this announcement is deemed to represent inside data as stipulated underneath the Market Abuse Rules (EU) No 596/2014 which is a part of UK regulation by advantage of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon publication of this announcement, this inside data is now thought-about to be within the public area. The one that organized for the discharge of this announcement on behalf of the Firm was Gordon Stein, Director and CFO.
For additional data contact: |
|
CleanTech Lithium PLC |
|
Steve Kesler/Gordon Stein/Nick Baxter |
Jersey workplace: +44 (0) 1534 668 321 Chile workplace: +562-32239222 |
Or by way of Celicourt |
|
Celicourt Communications Felicity Winkles/Philip Dennis/Ali AlQahtani |
+44 (0) 20 7770 6424 |
Beaumont Cornish Restricted (Nominated Adviser) Roland Cornish/Asia Szusciak |
+44 (0) 20 7628 3396 |
Fox-Davies Capital Restricted (Joint Dealer) Daniel Fox-Davies |
+44 (0) 20 3884 8450 |
Canaccord Genuity (Joint Dealer) James Asensio |
+44 (0) 20 7523 4680 |
Beaumont Cornish Restricted (“Beaumont Cornish”) is the Firm’s Nominated Adviser and is authorised and controlled by the FCA. Beaumont Cornish’s duties because the Firm’s Nominated Adviser, together with a duty to advise and information the Firm on its duties underneath the AIM Guidelines for Firms and AIM Guidelines for Nominated Advisers, are owed solely to the London Inventory Change. Beaumont Cornish isn’t performing for and won’t be accountable to every other individuals for offering protections afforded to clients of Beaumont Cornish nor for advising them in relation to the proposed preparations described on this announcement or any matter referred to in it.
Notes
CleanTech Lithium (AIM:CTL, Frankfurt:T2N, OTCQX:CTLHF) is an exploration and growth firm advancing sustainable lithium tasks in Chile for the clear power transition. Dedicated to net-zero, CleanTech Lithium’s mission is to supply materials portions of sustainable battery grade lithium merchandise utilizing Direct Lithium Extraction expertise powered by renewable power. The Firm plans to be a number one provider of ‘inexperienced’ lithium to the EV and battery manufacturing market.
CleanTech Lithium has two key lithium tasks in Chile, Laguna Verde and Viento Andino, and maintain licences in Llamara and Salar de Atacama, positioned within the lithium triangle, a number one centre for battery grade lithium manufacturing. The 2 main tasks: Laguna Verde and Viento Andino are located inside basins managed by the Firm, which affords important potential growth and operational benefits. All 4 tasks have direct entry to present infrastructure and renewable energy.
CleanTech Lithium is dedicated to utilizing renewable energy for processing and decreasing the environmental impression of its lithium manufacturing by utilising Direct Lithium Extraction with reinjection of spent brine. Direct Lithium Extraction is a transformative expertise which removes lithium from brine, with increased recoveries than typical extraction processes. The strategy gives quick growth lead occasions with no in depth web site development or evaporation pond growth so there may be minimal water depletion from the aquifer. www.ctlithium.com