KAUST breakthrough unlocks vast lithium reserves in oilfields and seawater

A new study published in Science by scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) describes an innovative technology for direct lithium extraction from brine in oilfields and seawater, sources in which lithium is present but at very low concentrations. The technology was demonstrated on a pilot scale 100,000 times larger than that of a university laboratory, and its cost was competitive with standard techniques that have not been proven effective for low-grade brine. Accessing lithium in brine can expand the availability of lithium worldwide by several hundreds of billions of tons and may transition Saudi Arabia from a major importer to producer of this highly sought element.  

The technology, which achieves the extraction without introducing any pollutants or additives, can extract lithium from brine at concentrations as low as 20 ppm (parts per million), a remarkable sensitivity that makes lithium extraction economical for sources with low lithium concentrations like the oilfields of across Saudi Arabia.  

"We optimized a redox electrode bridge to harness the osmotic energy generated by the concentration difference between the highly saline brine and the recovery solution, reducing the energy consumption in the lithium extraction process," said Zhiping Lai, a professor at KAUST, co-chair of the KAUST Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies, and lead researcher in the project. 

He added that these types of innovations can create new value in oilfields, mining, and geothermal wells, all sites that produce water that is currently treated as waste.  

Global demand for lithium is accelerating 

In today’s world, it is almost impossible to find a person who does not rely on lithium. This element is essential for the batteries that power electric vehicles, laptops and smartphones. And with more nations digitizing, the demand will increase from less than 750 000 tons in 2020 to more than 5 million in 2030.  

It is no surprise then that nations are investing heavily in means to extract lithium or trade for it, as Saudi Arabia has publicly declared its intention to source lithium from overseas as part of its energy strategy.  

However, the Kingdom may already be rich in lithium due to its surrounding seas and oil fields. Why it has chosen to depend on foreign lithium is because current techniques are inadequate at extracting lithium in its reserves. A solution could completely change the Kingdom’s current plans. Indeed, brine and seawater are estimated to have over ten thousand times more lithium than current lithium reserves for which conventional systems are designed, increasing the world’s lithium resources from 22 million tons to more than 230 billion.  

"Local lithium extraction strengthens the resilience of the supply chain and enhances national energy security. This innovation could propel Saudi Arabia into a leadership role in the global clean energy market, boosting its international influence and trade," said Li.  

Industry sees value 

A KAUST startup, Lihytech, founded by Lai and his colleague, KAUST Professor Kuo-Wei (Andy) Huang, who also contributed to the study, is aiming to bring this technology from laboratory to market. The startup has received an investment of $6 million from the Saudi mining company Ma’aden and the KAUST Innovation Fund (KIV). In September, Lihytech and Aramco announced a partnership in which the international conglomerate is providing brine from its oilfields to test the technology's lithium extraction capabilities. 

"Our goal is to establish a full-scale production and operation and generate significant lithium output within Saudi Arabia by 2028," said Huang.