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

该项目将为直接锂提取（DLE）装置提供资金，以从康沃尔的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需的元素。特别是对于电动汽车行业，锂（以氢氧化物的形式）是供应链的重要组成部分。在康沃尔，我们已经在岩石中钻了两口深威尔斯井（最深的是5. 2公里），以利用热（185摄氏度）的地热水进行发电。这种深水也含有高浓度的锂。最近的技术（DLE）已经使锂能够从表面的水中提取出来，作为发电过程的副产品。整个过程不需要外部能源，因为地热发电厂可以满足任何需求。因此，与全球常见的锂矿开采方式不同，该产品没有碳足迹。DLE技术已在我们的联合唐斯矿场进行了试验，并观察到良好的锂回收率（\>90%）。下一步将是将生产规模扩大到更大的数量和24/7操作，这将需要投资。该项目将为公共或私人资金开发投资级商业案例。

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.