In an effort to gain some context around what this statement means, I've looked for some DLE output numbers from other sources.
It really does look like this is much better than the numbers out of the lab.
From Saltworks : the numbers expected after the first part of the process, the DLE technology component, are in the vicinity of 1000mg/L to 2,000mg/L.
In the lab, Lilac were producing within this range, although from 1,400mg/L to 2,345mg/L. So if the benchmark was 1,000mg/L to 2,000mg/L then Lilac's initial test work was above benchmark - IOW a reason for them to continue to develop the technology.
https://www.saltworkstech.com/applications/lithium-extraction-and-refining/It is a multi-stage process to produce the Lithium chloride at concentrations high enough for conversion to the end product. This shows the initial lithium extraction process followed up with an additional process, which is mentioned in Lilac's patents called Osmostically assisted concentration devices. Per below the Lithium extraction process in this example extracts from 3-7ppm to 30-70ppm further concentrated to 3,000-5,000ppm.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969722046423This is supported further with the graphic example below from Vulcan Energy showing a similar ratio output of 10x after the first stage in the process where the DLE occurs.
https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20211112/pdf/452x0szzdhhc86.pdfSaltworks have a detailed flow chart showing some of the technology choices available to produce a concentrated LiCl. The DLE component, the figures reported on at the top of this post, it appears, are only the very first stage in this process.
https://www.saltworkstech.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Lithium-Brochure-RZ-H.pdfWhat does this look like superimposed on a Lilac Graphic?
http://lilacsolutions.com/2019/05/pilot-plant-engineering-underway-at-kachi-lithium-project/So my understanding, based on the above, where the expectation & lab results were producing just above benchmark after the first stage in the process, of between 1400-2400mg/L from brine Li content around 290mg/L - the actual numbers from the demo plant are 60% higher.
And with higher DLE numbers would come improvements to project economics. 60% on the DLE side alone I'd imagine should significantly improve the DFS numbers.
(20min delay)