September 4th 2024
Saltworks Technologies is pleased to announce the successful completion of a joint pilot program with EMP Metals Corp. (EMP) and Koch Technology Solutions (KTS) at EMP’s Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) Field Pilot Facility in Saskatchewan.
The following is a repost of EMP Metals’ original press release published here.
Vancouver, British Columbia, August 20, 2024 – EMP Metals Corp. (CSE: EMPS) (OTCQB: EMPPF) (“EMP Metals” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on the ongoing success and results of the Direct Lithium Extraction (“DLE”) Field Pilot Facility (the “Facility”) located in Saskatchewan.
The Facility houses the first Koch Technology Solutions (“KTS”) DLE pilot skid commissioned and operated in Canada. Saltworks Technologies (“Saltworks”) provided pre- and post-DLE systems at site, and complete concentrate, refine, convert (CRC) technology for the production of battery-grade lithium carbonate.
The extremely ‘clean’ geological brine, without H2S or appreciable organics, was processed through Koch Technology Solutions’ Li-Pro™ pilot over 75 days, demonstrating, a lithium recovery of greater than 97%, impurity rejection of greater than 99% (Refer to Table 1).
Table 1
| Element | Retention (%) | Rejection (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Li | 97.0 | |
| Na | 99.95 | |
| K | 99.95 | |
| Ca | 99.3 | |
| Mg | 98.5 | |
| Sr | 99.5 | |
| B | 93.0 |
Garrett Krall, Lithium Business Leader at KTS, stated, “KTS is thrilled with the industry-leading results Li-Pro™ has delivered. EMP has pulled together a strong team that is rapidly advancing to commercial project deployment with a truly economically advantaged solution.”
Megan Low, VP of Lithium Process Solutions at Saltworks, commented, “The site pilot produced lithium concentrations in the DLE eluate exceeding 2000 mg/L with a Li:TDS ratio greater than 0.1, almost non-detectable organics, extremely low silica, and steady performance improvements as the system was remote optimized.
“Li:TDS ratio is a key performance indicator,” explained Ms. Low. “A ratio of 0.1 or higher is among top performing DLE systems and is reflective of the high quality and clean Saskatchewan brine processed. This Li:TDS ratio will allow efficient downstream refining to battery-grade materials. This performance represents a new industry benchmark for a continuous at-site DLE pilot,” concluded Ms. Low.
Paul Schubach, COO of EMP Metals, commented, “Combining of efforts between EMP, KTS, and Saltworks has delivered results that exceeded expectations, proving the value of our Saskatchewan-based assets.”
The DLE eluate has been delivered to Saltworks’ headquarters for processing through their on-site Pilot 10 lithium refinery to convert the facility produced eluate into a battery-grade lithium carbonate for dispatch to off-takers.
Saltworks Technologies is a leader in the development and delivery of solutions for industrial wastewater treatment and lithium refining. By working with customers to understand their unique challenges and focusing on continuous innovation, Saltworks’ solutions provide best-in-class performance and reliability. From its headquarters in Richmond, BC, Canada, Saltworks’ team designs, builds, and operates full-scale plants, and offers comprehensive onsite and offsite testing services with its fleet of mobile pilots.
Saltworks brings water mining expertise and advanced desalination technologies to our lithium clients, offering solutions for concentrating, refining, and converting low-grade lithium sources to battery-grade product. We offer higher purity and lower energy processing technology, that boosts yield, removes unit operations, and reduces cost.
This lithium process flow brochure shows how membrane, thermal, and chemical water technologies fit into various stages of lithium production. Learn how to process lithium to battery-grade, downstream of direct lithium extraction.
Saltworks’ Lithium Test Center combines expertise and industry-leading technology to provide innovative solutions for processing lithium resources into battery-grade outputs. The Center is dedicated to de-risking lithium processing projects and accelerating full-scale implementation.
Saltworks delivered a full-scale lithium processing system to Canada’s first electric vechicle battery plant. This system will support lithium and water circularity, cost-effectively achieve zero liquid discharge, and meet Canadian environmental standards.