Lithium And its Recycling Technology- A Brief Review

Abstract: Lithium, a remarkably reactive metal, finds extensive applications in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and portable electronics owing to its exceptional energy density. The extraction of lithium encompasses a range of technologies that are contingent on the source. In the case of lithium brine deposits, the prevalent approach involves evaporation, where brine is introduced into expansive evaporation ponds, facilitating the gradual evaporation of water and the consequent concentration of lithium-rich salts. As for hard rock lithium deposits, they are extracted through open- pit or underground mining, followed by a sequence of crushing and flotation processes to procure lithium concentrate. Moreover, groundbreaking methods, such as the direct extraction of lithium from geothermal brines and the recovery of lithium from seawater, are actively under exploration to cater to the surging demand for this invaluable resource.