A preliminary techno-economic assessment of lithium extraction from flowback and produced water from unconventional shale and tight hydrocarbon operations in Western Canada
Abstract
In the path towards decarbonization, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are critical for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems. To meet the growing demand for this mineral, various sources of lithium are being explored. This study evaluated the technical and economic feasibility of direct lithium extraction (DLE) from flowback and produced waters (FPW) of the Duvernay shale reservoir development near Fox Creek, Alberta and the Montney tight reservoir development in Northeast British Columbia using ion-exchange sorbents. Results indicate that lithium extraction from FPW using DLE technology is a viable option, with fluid pH, temperature, total suspended solids, and organic carbon affecting extraction efficiencies. In the assessment of Duvernay-based FPW fluids processed at a selected centralized facility, approximately 93 tonnes of lithium carbonate, or 105 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate could be produced annually, based on an average lithium content of 45.1 mg/L and a capacity of approximately 475,000 m3 per year. A discounted cash flow analysis determined the after-tax and royalty internal rate of return of 22% in the production of lithium carbonate (Li2CO3), and 38% in the production of lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LiOH·H2O) from the Duvernay development area. Comparatively, in the assessment of Montney brine fluids processed at a modelled centralized facility, approximately 117 tonnes of lithium carbonate or 134 tonnes…
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Brine composition and parameters vary significantly between extraction sites, requiring adaptation of DLE techniques to specific brine conditions and research and testing to ensure process efficacy.
“The complexity of brine compositions and parameters (e.g., pH, temperature, organic carbon, solid suspended solids, ion concentrations, and Na/Li and Mg/Li ratios), which vary significantly between extraction sites, requires adaptation of DLE techniques to specific brine conditions, and research and testing to ensure process efficacy [52,64,65].”
From Pathways to Greener Primary Lithium Extraction for a Really Sustainable Energy Transition: Environmental Challenges and Pioneering Innovations (2024) · cites this paper as [65]
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“While innovative technologies, such as direct lithium extraction in Western Canada, offer opportunities to reduce reliance on imports, substantial investments in infrastructure, expertise, and supply chain development remain crucial to meeting both domestic and global demands (Leece and Jiang 2023).”
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- Authors
- Leece, A., & Jiang, C.
- Affiliations
- Natural Resources Canada (CA)
- ORCID
- Jiang, C
- Published
- 2023
- OpenAlex
- W4379055869
- Cited by
- 10
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1
- Type
- report
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Extraction and Separation Processes
- Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Inorganic Chemistry › Radioactive element chemistry and processing
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Control and Systems Engineering › Mining Techniques and Economics
- Keywords
- direct lithium extraction, shale oil and gas, Duvernay shale, ion-exchange sorbents, lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide monohydrate, battery-grade lithium, techno-economic analysis, discounted cash flow, internal rate of return, lithium supply chain, Western Canada
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