The Best of IWC Webinar Series is a great way to preview the high quality technical content presented at the International Water Conference®.

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Topic: Next-Gen Water Treatment: Unlocking Lithium’s Full Potential

IWC 24-13: Lithium extraction and purification schemes from brine streams – The key role of lithium nanofiltration technology
Denise Haukkala, DuPont Water Solutions, Salt Lake City, UT

Global decarbonization and electrification efforts necessitate accelerated and sustainable lithium production. Direct lithium extraction is a continuous sorbent- and membrane-based technology enabling sustainable and fast production. We will discuss multi-technology system design for key brine chemistries and project context. Further, the role of lithium nanofiltration will be presented emphasizing composition and operating parameters impact on Lithium yield and selectivity along with long-term in-field performance of a product commercialized by the DuPont Water Solutions.

IWC 24-15: Water Issues in Lithium Battery Production
Thomas E. Higgins, Ph.D., P.E., Worley Group, St Augustine, FL; Mary McLoud, Worley Group, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Avijit Dey, Group, Houston, TX

Energy transition from fossil fuels will require 240 terawatt-hour (TWh) of batteries. Cathode active materials (CAM) are the major material cost. Nickel, manganese and cobalt (NMC batteries) are reacted with oxygen and sulfuric acid to produce metal sulfates, then mixed with sodium hydroxide and ammonia forming metal hydroxides, mixed with lithium hydroxide and heated to produce CAM, producing a wastewater containing sodium sulfate and ammonia. This wastewater can be evaporated (high energy usage and CAPEX) to remove ammonia and produce a sodium sulfate solid for sale or disposal. A promising alternative is bipolar electrodialysis, which can produce sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid, both of which are used in CAM production.