Xerion lithium extraction tech wins US DOE Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize

Diagram of lithium extraction by ceramic membrane technology (source: Xerion)

Xerion Advanced Battery Corp. (Xerion), in partnership with a team from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has been awarded the top prize in the inaugural American-Made Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize by the U.S. Department of Energy.  The prize, which includes $1 million in funding from the Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO), will accelerate Xerion’s plans to commercialize its innovative, first-of-its-kind ceramic redox membrane technology for the production of lithium hydroxide (LiOH) from geothermal brine.

Xerion demonstrated that its patented nanostructured ceramic redox membrane can efficiently extract lithium from raw geothermal brines with low lithium concentrations, such as those found in California’s Salton Sea region, and produce high-quality aqueous lithium hydroxide.

This lithium hydroxide can be used directly as a battery feedstock to synthesize cathodes in a single step using Xerion’s DirectPlate™ molten salt electroplating process; converted to a lithium metal anode for use in solid-state batteries; or fed into the current conventional cathode production process.

Xerion’s novel approach to lithium extraction from geothermal brine offers substantial advantages over methods in use today related to selective extraction of lithium, material stability, and environmental impact. This separation technology is a significant extension of Xerion’s advanced dense cathode innovation.

Professor Paul Braun, the University of Illinois team lead, notes, “Unlike polymer membranes, Xerion’s DirectPlate™ ceramic membrane is highly resistant to the temperature and chemistry of geothermal brines, providing the required lithium selectivity and durability for real-world operation.”

“The development of efficient geothermal lithium extraction technologies promises to simultaneously advance efforts to secure a domestic lithium supply and to solidify the United States’ position in the global transition to net-zero emissions,” stated John Busbee, CEO of Xerion.

“Our membrane technology is uniquely suited to harness the full potential of the Salton Sea’s geothermal brine. We look forward to identifying and working alongside partners to continue bringing this exciting innovation to market. The development and commercialization of our low-cost, high-efficiency direct lithium extraction (DLE) from lithium brine sources globally will bring us one step closer to a clean energy future that is powered by homegrown innovation.”

Source: Xerion via Business Wire