Diversifying lithium supply brines to hard-rock minerals: vacuum-induced thermal extraction of Li from α-spodumene (VITELiS)

CMI researchers from Ames National Laboratory and an industry partner conducted the activity for this highlight

Innovation   
VITELiS (Vacuum-Induced Thermal Extraction of Lithium from α-Spodumene) aims to unlock >85% of lithium available in domestic hard-rock ore, diversifying the lithium supply

Achievement  
Developed a novel method that reduces mechanical energy input compared to the previously developed MELLT (Mechanochemical Extraction of Lithium at Low Temperature) process. A patent application has been submitted for VITELiS (ISURF #05819).

Significance and Impact

  • Reducing processing time from more than 100 times (64h to 30 min), and temperature from 1100°C to 800°C
  • Technology operates entirely without harsh acids, bases, or water
  • Direct one-step extraction

Hub Target Addressed   
Recovery or purification processes to expand U.S. lithium production; highly selective extraction and separations; minimizing hazardous chemical use and waste generation

diagram showing balls in a circle to represent a ball mill with milling media and reaction mixture and a process diagram of a furnace with a pellet of lithium salt treated at 700 to 800 degrees celcius then naturally air cooled for lithium salt condensation in a vacuum
Infographic showing the VITELiS approach for Li-extraction from α-spodumene