Feasibility study to create the business case for the purchase and installation of a commercial scale geothermal Direct Lithium Extraction unit in Cornwall

该项目将开发商业案例，为康沃尔的直接锂提取（DLE）装置提供资金，从深层地热水中提取锂。目前，英国国内不生产锂，而锂是大多数现代电池技术所必需的元素。特别是对于电动汽车行业来说，锂（以氢氧化物的形式）是供应链的关键部分。在康沃尔，我们在岩石中钻了两个深井（最深的是5.2公里），以利用高温（185摄氏度）地热水发电。这片深水也含有高浓度的锂。最近的技术（DLE）使锂作为发电过程的副产品从地表的水中提取出来。整个过程不需要外部能源，因为任何需求都可以从地热发电厂得到满足。因此，与全球常见的锂开采形式相反，该产品没有碳足迹。DLE技术已经在我们的United Downs工厂进行了试验，观察到良好的锂回收率（90%）。下一步将是扩大生产规模，实现24/7全天候运营，这将需要投资。该项目将为公共或私人资金提供投资级商业案例。

The project will develop the business case for funding a Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) unit(s) to extract lithium from deep geothermal water in Cornwall. At present, the UK produces no domestic lithium, an element that is required for most modern battery technologies. For the electric automotive industry in particular, lithium (in the form of hydroxide) is a crucial part of the supply chain. In Cornwall, we have drilled two deep wells into the rock (the deepest is 5.2km) to tap into the hot (185C) geothermal water for power production. This deep water also contains high concentrations of lithium. Recent technology (DLE) has enabled lithium to be extracted from this water at the surface as a by-product of the power generation process. The whole process requires no external energy, as any demands are met from the geothermal power plant. The product therefore has no carbon footprint, as opposed the common forms of lithium mining worldwide.DLE technology has already been trialled at our United Downs site and good lithium recovery rates (\>90%) have been observed. The next step will be to scale up this production to larger quantities and 24/7 operation which will require investment. This project will develop the investment grade business case for public or private funding.