Collocating a large-scale dissociating reactor near a geothermal energy source for green refinement of critical minerals from brines

Abstract

Acquisition of critical minerals via refinement from aqueous sources. Technological and geopolitical advantages inure to conflict-free refinement of rare materials including critical minerals used in production of energy storage devices, among other applications. Additionally, the applied “clean tech” methods advance environmental goals such as those given in the Paris Agreement. Various site-specific system configurations and corresponding site-specific methods of operation bring to bear a panoply of economically viable approaches to critical mineral refinement. In some approaches, electrical power needed to drive refinement is provided by selected site-specific renewable energy sources. Real-world implementations involve co-locating a dissociating reactor with a geothermal energy plant near a salar. Refined critical minerals are produced on site. Deployment of the various site-specific configurations of systems and practice of corresponding site-specific methods reduces or eliminates negative environmental impacts such as those incurred by legacy mining-based techniques.