Research Projects
LiTherme
Project:
Development of a process for extracting critical raw materials
such as lithium, rare earths and metals/semi-metals from geothermal waters
Development of the functionality of MNPs with selective ligands and development of the adsorption and desorption process
Duration:
01.10.2024 - 30.09.2027
Project partners:
- Institute of Water Chemistry & Chair of Analytical Chemistry and Water ChemistryTechnical University of Munich
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering
Key points:
- Development of an innovative process for extracting lithium and critical raw materials from geothermal waters
- Contribution to Germany’s raw material independence and the energy transition
- Use of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for selective extraction
- Combination of adsorption and magnetic separation in a novel reactor concept
- Focus on environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and cost-effective recovery
Short description
The “LiThermie” project focuses on the development of an innovative process for the selective recovery of lithium from geothermal waters. Driven by the rapidly increasing demand for lithium and other critical raw materials in batteries, semiconductors, and energy technologies, as well as the strong dependence on imports, the project addresses the need for sustainable domestic resource utilization.
The main objective is to establish an efficient, environmentally friendly, and scalable process that can be integrated into existing geothermal plants, enabling the combined use of geothermal fluids for both energy production and raw material extraction. A key challenge lies in selectively extracting lithium from complex aqueous systems containing high concentrations of competing ions, while maintaining low energy consumption and economic feasibility.
To achieve this, the project develops a novel approach based on functionalized magnetic nanoparticles that selectively bind lithium ions. These particles are retained and controlled within a magnetic flow-through reactor, enabling efficient adsorption, separation, and subsequent release of lithium via controlled process conditions. The particles are regenerated and reused in a continuous cycle.
Overall, the project aims to provide a sustainable and economically viable technology for lithium recovery, contributing to a more secure and environmentally responsible supply of critical raw materials.
National project (AIF) funding indicator KK555860CR4
