전지 생산을 위한 염수에서 리튬 추출

소금 평지와 지열수에서 가장 가벼운 금속 수확하기

Energy & Battery Technology Global Industrial Scale $25 billion

개요

Lithium is extracted from continental brines (salt flats in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia — the 'Lithium Triangle') by solar evaporation and chemical precipitation, or from hard-rock spodumene ore (Australia) by acid roasting. Lithium demand is surging due to lithium-ion batteries for EVs and energy storage. Brine extraction accounts for about 50% of global production and is lower cost, while spodumene processing is faster but more energy-intensive. Battery-grade lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide requires >99.5% purity.

화학 공정

For brine: Lithium-bearing brine (200-2,000 ppm Li) is pumped to evaporation ponds where solar evaporation over 12-18 months concentrates lithium to 6,000+ ppm while NaCl and KCl crystallize out. Magnesium is removed by lime addition, and lithium carbonate is precipitated by adding soda ash (Na₂CO₃) at 90 degrees C. The precipitate is filtered, washed, and dried to battery-grade specification.

2LiCl(brine) + Na₂CO₃ →[90 degrees C] Li₂CO₃↓ + 2NaCl (lithium carbonate precipitation)
MgCl₂ + Ca(OH)₂ → Mg(OH)₂↓ + CaCl₂ (magnesium removal)
Li₂CO₃ + Ca(OH)₂ → 2LiOH + CaCO₃ (causticization to lithium hydroxide)

원자재

  • Lithium-bearing brine — Salt flats (Atacama, Hombre Muerto, Uyuni) (Lithium source (200-2,000 ppm Li))
  • Soda ash (Na₂CO₃) — Solvay process or trona mining (Lithium precipitation agent)
  • Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) — Lime kiln (Magnesium removal agent)

최종 제품

  • Battery-grade lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) — NMC and LFP cathode production (>99.5% purity, <10 ppm Na, <5 ppm Fe)
  • Battery-grade lithium hydroxide (LiOH·H₂O) — High-nickel NMC cathode production (>56.5% LiOH, required for NMC 811)
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Environmental Impact

Brine evaporation consumes vast amounts of water in the world's driest regions, creating tension with local communities and ecosystems. Evaporation ponds cover hundreds of hectares. Spodumene processing requires energy-intensive acid roasting at 250 degrees C. Direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies promise 90% less water use and land footprint.

안전 고려사항

최근 혁신

Direct lithium extraction (DLE) using ion-exchange, adsorption, or membrane technologies can extract lithium from dilute brines in hours instead of months, with much lower water consumption.
Lithium extraction from geothermal brines provides both clean energy and lithium.
Recycling of end-of-life EV batteries is expected to provide 10-20% of lithium supply by 2035.

생산 규모

130000

톤/년

$25 billion

시장 가치

더 보기: Energy & Battery Technology

에스테르 교환 반응에 의한 바이오디젤 생산

Global Industrial Scale

광전지 실리콘 태양전지 제조

Global Industrial Scale

혐기성 소화에 의한 바이오가스 생산

Global Industrial Scale

스팀 메테인 개질에 의한 수소 생산

Global Industrial Scale

기체 원심 분리에 의한 우라늄 연료 농축

Global Industrial Scale

그린 수소를 위한 PEM 수전해

Commercial Production

수소 연료 전지(PEMFC) 전기화학

Commercial Production

Frequently Asked Questions

What industry uses 전지 생산을 위한 염수에서 리튬 추출?
전지 생산을 위한 염수에서 리튬 추출 is used in the energy & battery technology sector at global industrial scale scale.
What process is involved in 전지 생산을 위한 염수에서 리튬 추출?
For brine: Lithium-bearing brine (200-2,000 ppm Li) is pumped to evaporation ponds where solar evaporation over 12-18 months concentrates lithium to 6,000+ ppm while NaCl and KCl crystallize out. Magnesium is removed by lime addition, and lithium carbonate is precipitated by adding soda ash (Na₂CO₃)
What is the economic significance of 전지 생산을 위한 염수에서 리튬 추출?
전지 생산을 위한 염수에서 리튬 추출 has a market value of $25 billion and annual production of 130,000 tons.
What is the environmental impact of 전지 생산을 위한 염수에서 리튬 추출?
Brine evaporation consumes vast amounts of water in the world's driest regions, creating tension with local communities and ecosystems. Evaporation ponds cover hundreds of hectares. Spodumene processing requires energy-intensive acid roasting at 250 degrees C. Direct lithium extraction (DLE) technol
What raw materials are used in 전지 생산을 위한 염수에서 리튬 추출?
The main raw materials include: Lithium-bearing brine, Soda ash (Na₂CO₃), Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂).