The tests sought to further prove the commercial viability of lithium extraction from brines under the Northern Pennine Orefield in Co Durham, Northeast of England.
In a UK first, the demonstration scale trials of Evove’s next-generation advanced DLE technology was a success, proving the plant design and meeting critical production KPIs, including lithium recovery rates and product purity levels. The project is believed to be one of only a handful that have been concluded at this scale worldwide outside China.
Trial data was collected by Evove to inform the design of several process efficiency innovations, most notably the ultra selective nanofiltration membranes which are at the heart of this next-generation DLE system. The membranes’ proven capability to remove nearly all impurities (especially calcium and magnesium) at the start of the DLE process creates significant efficiencies that translate to superior economics and a viable business case for decentralised production.
Evove’s modelling, derived from 78 million data points gathered through the processing of 3.5 million litres of Northen Lithium brines, indicates a commercial end-to-end lithium recovery rate of up to 92% from raw brine to final battery-grade product, surpassing the initial project target modelled at 80%, and a purity of lithium chloride/sulphate product produced of up to 96.5%. This exceptional purity simplifies the midstream conversion process to lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide products used in electrical batteries, proving the suitability of Northern Lithium brines and Evove’s DLE process, using combined membrane filtration and ion exchange stages, to meet domestic lithium demand and, critically, indicating lower capex and processing costs.
“We have made considerable progress over the past year and are pleased that our recent long term pump tests and demo scale DLE trials have provided further proof of concept on our targeted path to first commercial production of lithium by the end of 2027,” said Nick Pople, Northern Lithium managing director. “In the current geopolitical climate, it is encouraging that the UK government is recognising that the UK has an urgent need to secure its own domestic lithium supply.”
Chris Wyres, CEO of DLE technology firm Evove, said, “We are delighted that Evove’s advanced filtration technology is helping bring the Northern Lithium project to commercial reality. From the first brine processing at industrial scale in our DLE Test Centre in Widnes in 2023 to delivering fully operational demonstration scale in-field DLE trials this year is a remarkable testament to the unique partnership between Northern Lithium, engineering firm RSE and Evove.”
Northern Lithium and Evove will now proceed with detailed design engineering for the first fully functioning commercial scale DLE production unit, with operation targeted for the end of 2027. In parallel, samples of lithium product produced from the recent trials will be used in discussions with potential off-take partners.
