Schlumberger and Gradiant Collaborate for Sustainable Production
Schlumberger announced a collaboration with Gradiant, a global water solutions provider, to introduce a key sustainable technology into the production process for battery-grade lithium compounds.
As part of Schlumberger’s NeoLith Energy direct lithium extraction (DLE) and production flowsheet, Gradiant technology is used to concentrate the lithium solution and generate fresh water—a critical element in sustainable lithium production from brine.
Gavin Rennick, president of Schlumberger’s New Energy business, said:
"Proper natural resource management is essential in mineral production, and nowhere more so than in lithium. The unprecedented growth in demand for this critical mineral requires high-quality production without compromising sustainability. The integration of Gradiant technology into our direct lithium extraction (DLE) flowsheet has been key in our strategy to improve sustainability in the global lithium production industry.”
Gradiant’s new solution enhances the impact of the sustainable lithium extraction process—reducing time-to-market and environmental footprint. When compared to thermal-based technologies, the technology enables high levels of lithium concentration in a fraction of the time required by conventional methods while also reducing carbon emissions, energy usage, and capital expenditures.
This technology integration can be applied to new lithium mineral extraction and production sites, hence opening up opportunities in previously unexplored lithium producing regions as well as existing lithium production operations.
The partnership will allow the lithium industry to meet growing mineral demand while achieving previously impossible levels of water utilisation by simultaneously lowering freshwater consumption and reducing wastewater.
Prakash Govindan, COO of Gradiant, said:
"We are excited to be working with Schlumberger, with whom we are pioneering a new era of sustainable mineral resource recovery. This is made possible by Gradiant’s deep understanding of the complex chemistry that underlies the production processes, which is then operationalised by machine learning and digital technology. The sustainability impact of the integrated Schlumberger process, combined with Gradiant solutions, is a game-changer for the lithium production market. This strategic partnership will enable the global expansion of Gradiant’s technology in this important industry.”
Source: Schlumberger
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