By Newspot Nigeria Science Desk
Lilac, a leading innovator in lithium extraction technology, has announced the successful operation of its lithium extraction demonstration plant in Jujuy, Argentina. The demonstration plant, powered by Lilac’s fourth-generation ion exchange (IX) technology, has set a new benchmark in lithium recovery, achieving an impressive 91% lithium recovery rate and a 99.4% overall impurity rejection rate.
Operating at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level, the plant showcased Lilac’s capability to deliver high-performance results under challenging field conditions. The facility, featuring off-the-shelf equipment scaled to one-third of a commercial plant, consistently maintained a high lithium recovery rate and impurity rejection, underscoring the reliability of Lilac’s technology.
Key performance metrics from the plant include:
- Lithium Recovery: 91%
- Overall Impurity Rejection: 99.4%
- Plant Throughput: 42 tonnes LCE/year (if run continuously)
- IX Vessel Size: Approximately one-third of commercial scale
- Eluate Lithium Concentration: 2,300 mg/L (raw eluate)
The success of the Jujuy plant further validates Lilac’s technology, with Hatch, an independent engineering firm, on-site to witness and verify the performance. According to Lilac’s CEO, Raef Sully, this achievement marks a critical milestone for the company, paving the way for full commercial deployment of its innovative lithium extraction technology.
“Our Gen 4 ion exchange technology has proven to be highly effective, operating seamlessly in real-world conditions. This is a major step forward in delivering scalable, cost-effective lithium solutions for global electrification,” Sully stated.
As the global demand for lithium continues to rise, Lilac’s breakthrough in lithium extraction offers a scalable, environmentally friendly solution to support the transition to clean energy.
For more updates on global energy technology breakthroughs and insightful news coverage, visit Newspot Nigeria.
