Scholarlink

<p>This paper discusses the environmental and economic impacts of CO<sub>2</sub>-based direct carbonation (or direct lithium carbonation extraction—DLCE), an alternative approach to current evaporative and modern direct lithium extraction (DLE) techniques that generate lithium concentrates from brines, as well as to the subsequent mineralization (carbonation) to convert the dissolved lithium to lithium carbonate usable for manufacturing end products. Environmental concerns and energy burdens have been of key subjects in the lithium production sector as, according to the International Energy Agency, lithium demand is expected to rise tenfold by 2050 from 2023 levels. While well established, existing lithium practices can produce appreciable carbon footprints associated with solid additives, sorbents, acids, and transportation, in addition to requiring freshwater consumption from local water systems. Direct carbonation of a brine using CO<sub>2</sub> interaction suggests the potential reduction of the current environmental and energy burdens, if integrated viably. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) first reported the use of CO<sub>2</sub> nanobubbles to produce Li<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> directly in brines. CO<sub>2</sub> feedstock used in the direct carbonation approaches may be sourced from industrial waste streams or captured from air, which would lead to carbon negative lithium carbonate production if the related industry wishes or is required to reduce current CO<sub>2</sub> emission levels. In this paper, the potential of CO<sub>2</sub>-based direct carbonation to reduce current environmental burdens from lithium production is discussed. In comparison to the DLE route, the CO<sub>2</sub>-based direct carbonation approach holds the potential to reduce, for every tonne of Li<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> produced, 60,245–183,745&#xa0;kWh of energy input, 1.9–37.6&#xa0;t of solid additives, 17.3–50.5&#xa0;t of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, and 212–357&#xa0;t of the freshwater usage. In comparison to the evaporative route, the CO<sub>2</sub>-based direct carbonation approach holds the potential to reduce, for every tonne of Li<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> produced, 3831–14,438&#xa0;kWh of energy input, 1.9–8.1&#xa0;t of solid additives, 2.4–8.4&#xa0;t of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, and 33–200&#xa0;t of the freshwater usage.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Insights from CO2-Based Direct Carbonation Techniques to Reduce Environmental, Energy, and Economic Burdens and to Generate Carbon Credits in Li Brine Mining Practices

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月6日

查看全文
  • Jinichiro Nakano

摘要

This paper discusses the environmental and economic impacts of CO2-based direct carbonation (or direct lithium carbonation extraction—DLCE), an alternative approach to current evaporative and modern direct lithium extraction (DLE) techniques that generate lithium concentrates from brines, as well as to the subsequent mineralization (carbonation) to convert the dissolved lithium to lithium carbonate usable for manufacturing end products. Environmental concerns and energy burdens have been of key subjects in the lithium production sector as, according to the International Energy Agency, lithium demand is expected to rise tenfold by 2050 from 2023 levels. While well established, existing lithium practices can produce appreciable carbon footprints associated with solid additives, sorbents, acids, and transportation, in addition to requiring freshwater consumption from local water systems. Direct carbonation of a brine using CO2 interaction suggests the potential reduction of the current environmental and energy burdens, if integrated viably. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) first reported the use of CO2 nanobubbles to produce Li2CO3 directly in brines. CO2 feedstock used in the direct carbonation approaches may be sourced from industrial waste streams or captured from air, which would lead to carbon negative lithium carbonate production if the related industry wishes or is required to reduce current CO2 emission levels. In this paper, the potential of CO2-based direct carbonation to reduce current environmental burdens from lithium production is discussed. In comparison to the DLE route, the CO2-based direct carbonation approach holds the potential to reduce, for every tonne of Li2CO3 produced, 60,245–183,745 kWh of energy input, 1.9–37.6 t of solid additives, 17.3–50.5 t of CO2 emissions, and 212–357 t of the freshwater usage. In comparison to the evaporative route, the CO2-based direct carbonation approach holds the potential to reduce, for every tonne of Li2CO3 produced, 3831–14,438 kWh of energy input, 1.9–8.1 t of solid additives, 2.4–8.4 t of CO2 emissions, and 33–200 t of the freshwater usage.

Graphical Abstract