How Petrolithium Technology Enables US-based Lithium Sourcing & Production

In the midst of the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, lithium has emerged as the linchpin of the green energy movement. The demand for lithium is poised to skyrocket in the coming years, presenting a formidable challenge for the industry. "The surge in demand for lithium is unprecedented, driven primarily by the exponential growth of the electric vehicle market," 2GL Tech LLC President Jason Lalli reminded Battery Technology. As the world shifts towards renewable energy sources, the need for lithium-ion batteries for energy storage and electric transportation has become paramount.

Traditional methods of lithium extraction, such as large-scale mining and salar brine facilities, are not sustainable in the long run, according to Lalli. The environmental impact of traditional lithium extraction methods are creating opportunities for sustainable, alternative solutions. Moreover, the geopolitical implications of relying on a handful of lithium-producing countries for the world's supply have raised concerns about resource security and market stability.

Now, Pennsylvania-based 2GL Tech says it offers a way to economically access the US based sources of lithium which are crucial for ensuring a stable supply chain and reducing dependency on specific global regions.

Related:UVA Chemical Engineers Find New Way to Extract Lithium

Petrolithium: A transformative approach

Enter petrolithium technology—a game-changer in the lithium industry. 2GL Tech Principal Bob Goltz describes petrolithium as "a transformative approach to lithium extraction." By repurposing water produced from fossil fuel extraction, 2GL Tech is revolutionizing the way lithium is sourced.

Some may not be familiar with the term “petrolithium.” In a nutshell: Millions of years ago, the seas were teeming with life, and as it died it settled to the sea floor and was covered with sediment. Over millions of years, under pressure and heat, these organic materials were converted to gas and oil. Today, as those resources are harvested, the associated salt brines from those ancient seas are brought to the surface as produced water—the naturally occurring water that comes out of the ground along with that gas and oil.

2GL Tech's processing facility in Kane, PA. 2GL TECH

2GL Tech and its Principals have spent decades in treating wastewater and produced water, and they have identified metals—such as lithium, strontium, and others—which have substantial economic value.

"Petrolithium technology allows us to extract lithium from produced water, turning a previously discarded resource into a valuable asset," Goltz explained. This approach not only mitigates the environmental impact of fossil fuel extraction, but also addresses the challenge of water management in the oil and gas industry. "Petrolithium offers a win-win solution by simultaneously addressing environmental concerns and enhancing resource efficiency," Goltz said.

Related:Building a Domestic Supply Chain for Lithium & Rare Earth Elements

2GLi: Lithium capture tech

At the heart of petrolithium technology lies 2GL Tech's proprietary lithium capture technology, 2GLi. Lalli describes 2GLi as "a breakthrough in sustainable lithium production." This modular, scalable process is designed to extract lithium from produced water efficiently and economically.

"Our goal with 2GLi is to optimize lithium extraction while minimizing environmental impact," Lalli said. The scalability of 2GLi allows for deployment in various settings, from small-scale operations to large industrial facilities, making it adaptable to different regions and production scales. "The versatility of 2GLi makes it suitable for integration into existing infrastructure, providing a seamless transition to sustainable lithium production," Lalli noted. The technology brings together new and well understood water treatment processes in a single, packaged system to generate high purity lithium chloride from the complex produced water brines. Field trials have produced effective recovery rates exceeding 90% of the total lithium available.

Related:UVA Chemical Engineers Find New Way to Extract Lithium

In addition to its environmental benefits, 2GLi offers unparalleled operational efficiency and flexibility. Lalli highlights the versatility of 2GLi, describing a modular design enabling seamless integration with diverse operating conditions and water qualities, thus ensuring maximum efficiency in lithium extraction. Furthermore, the ability to adjust production capacity according to not only market demand, but also variations in incoming water quality, enables 2GL Tech to optimize resource utilization and maintain cost competitiveness in a dynamic market environment.

"Flexibility is key to meeting fluctuating market demands and ensuring long-term sustainability," Lalli emphasized.

Pretreatment of brine and lithium capture

“2GL Tech has extensive experience in processing the produced water brines to remove  contaminants present that can poison the DLE (Direct Lithium Extraction) media,” Goltz said. “Once treated, the brine is sent to industry as recognized and proven DLE media that retain lithium chloride and allow the bulk of the other salts to pass. Once fully loaded the DLE media is treated to release a relatively pure LiCl solution. The DLE media can be reused for hundreds to thousands of cycles.”

Strontium as well as lithium is processed from brine at 2LG Tech's Kane, PA facility. 2GL TECH

Refining petrolithium: Key to sustainable lithium production

Upon reaching the refining stage, the captured lithium chloride (LiCl) undergoes a meticulous process to transform it into battery-grade lithium carbonate (Li2CO3), according to the company. The initial step involves additional filtration of the incoming LiCl to ensure purity. Following this, a series of unit processes akin to those employed at the capture facility are implemented to concentrate the LiCl to levels exceeding 20,000 mg/L. This concentration process also involves separating the carrier fluid (water) in a form suitable for recycling, disposal, or evaporation.

The refining processes encompass a range of technologies, including Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) media, Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants, membrane plants, and other filtration methods.

The water use challenge

A notable challenge in conventional Li2CO3 production is the excessive use of fresh water. To address this, 2GL says it has leveraged its expertise in membrane technologies to maximize freshwater recycling within the system. While achieving zero liquid discharge with the waste fluids generated is not feasible, 2GL optimizes water recirculation to minimize consumption.

In the precipitation process, sodium carbonate is combined with the concentrated LiCl fluid to precipitate Li2CO3. This process, along with Li2CO3 production, collection, and washing, is facilitated through proprietary mixing systems, vessels, and wash lines. An automated line dryer system equipped with conveyors and packaging is specified based on site-specific requirements, with options such as rotary drum drying and moving belt distribution units identified for this purpose.

Drawing upon extensive logistical and lithium capacity studies in the Marcellus and Utica shales, in  the Northeastern part of the country, a centralized refining facility has been designed to process LiCl captured from 5 to 10 remote locations. Consequently, refineries range in capacity from 375 barrels per day (bpd) for smaller facilities with fewer capture locations to up to 2,300 bpd for the largest facility.

The high quality of LiCl fluids obtained at the capture facility translates to proportionally smaller and more efficient refining units required at the refinery. As such, a space of a few thousand square feet, or a small industrial park sized building, is needed for refining operations, with provisions for a dryer and conveyor line to facilitate bulk bagging/packaging.

Environmental and social impact

The environmental and social implications of petrolithium are significant. By repurposing produced water, 2GL Tech is reducing waste and minimizing environmental footprint. Lalli emphasized the social benefits of petrolithium, stating, "Petrolithium technology creates new opportunities for economic development in regions impacted by fossil fuel extraction." Moreover, by providing an alternative revenue stream for oil and gas producers, petrolithium technology can contribute to the economic resilience of communities reliant on fossil fuel industries.

"Petrolithium offers a path towards environmental stewardship, while helping the fossil fuel producers transition to alternate energy technologies in line with their stated ESG plans," Lalli remarked.

As the global transition to clean energy gains momentum, 2GL Tech considers petrolithium to be a beacon of hope for a sustainable future. Lalli expresses this optimism: "With its proven efficacy and environmental advantages, petrolithium is poised to revolutionize the lithium industry." He predicts that the demand for environmentally friendly lithium production methods will continue to rise in the coming years.

"As consumers and governments prioritize sustainability, the market demand for responsibly sourced lithium, made in the USA, will only grow," Lalli concluded. "Petrolithium represents a paradigm shift in the way we approach resource extraction, paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future."