This method produces high-purity lithium carbonate or hydroxide, which are key elements in the production of batteries and other energy storage devices.

“SLB’s demonstration plant in Clayton Valley proves our unique integrated approach to produce scalable quantities of lithium in the fastest, most economical and sustainable way for today’s market. This accelerates deployment of viable commercial-scale facilities for high-quality lithium products that are the backbone of our electrification economy,” Rennick said. 

The company revealed that this plant has incorporated direct lithium extraction (DLE), concentration, and conversion technologies to produce lithium sustainably at a large scale.

By integrating these various technologies, SLB has created a complete solution for producing lithium, while minimizing environmental impact and maximizing efficiency.

“Lithium is a key enabler of electrification, so we must find ways to accelerate its production without adversely affecting the environment,” said Gavin Rennick, president of SLB’s New Energy business.

[Article](https://interestingengineering.com/energy/slb-demonstration-plant-96-percent-lithium-recovery-rate)

SLB’s integrated solution is a comprehensive process designed to extract lithium from brine and produce high-purity lithium compounds. The process involves direct lithium extraction, concentration, and conversion.

As per the press release, the new tech combines SLB’s subsurface and surface expertise, including DLE.  

Interestingly, this new integrated tech produces lithium from brine 500 times faster than other known techniques. Moreover, this technology is more sustainable because it requires only 10% of the land along with less water, energy, and chemical reagents.

“Operating at approximately one-tenth the size of a commercial-scale facility, the plant reached a verified recovery rate of 96 percent lithium from brine,” the press release noted.