Geochemical characterization of lithium deposition in fossil energy wastes

Conference · Mon Dec 11 00:00:00 EST 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/2500840· OSTI ID:2500840

Stuckman, Mengling ^[1]; Mackey, Justin ^[1]; Barczok, Maximilian ^[1]; Cheng, Chin-Min ^[1]; Lopano, Christina ^[2]; Kutchko, Barbara ^[2]

---

1. NETL Site Support Contractor, National Energy Technology Laboratory
2. NETL

Lithium is a critical mineral used in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and future modernization of electric grids with sensitive supply chains that are subject to volatility. Therefore, methods to recover lithium from domestic unconventional sources are actively being pursued in the United States. Herein, we report on the lithium recovery potential from four fossil energy waste feedstocks: oil and gas drill cuttings (sample number n = 16); oil and gas produced waters (n > 200) from Marcellus, Bakken and Permian basins; coal byproducts (n>20), such as coal ash; and acid mine drainage treatment solids (AMD solids). Select solid samples underwent sequential extraction to explore lithium hosting phases and simple organic and inorganic acid extraction to explore lithium recovery potential. Our preliminary results found lithium concentrations up to 440 mg/kg in select AMD treatment solids and up to 300 mg/L in Marcellus Shale produced waters, demonstrating these sources have lithium yield potentials comparable to conventionally mined lithium ores and brines. Sequential extractions revealed that lithium is mostly associated with clay and silicate phases in shale drill cuttings, whereas lithium resides in Fe,Mn-oxide reducible phases in AMD solids. Further, the lithium content in produced waters has a strong linear relationship with total dissolved solid (TDS) levels in three separate oil and gas basins. At the same TDS level, Marcellus Shale produced waters contain more lithium compared to Bakken Shale and Permian Basin waters, with higher percentages of Ca and Mg, major cations that might impact lithium recovery efficiencies. Our study demonstrates the heterogeneity of lithium hosts from different fossil energy wastes. Characterization results will inform future lithium recovery from these different feedstocks.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM)
• OSTI ID: 2500840
• Resource Relation: Conference: Conference Name: American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting 2023 Location: San Francisco, California, United States Start Date: 12/11/2023 12:00:00 AM End Date: 12/15/2023 12:00:00 AM
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English