VUL megathread, page-4246

A new KIT study on lithium extractionin the Upper Rhine Graben predicts much lower extraction rates thanVulcan.

https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/2201/2201.05048.pdf

Quote:

„The predicted extraction efficiencyof 90 % has only been achieved in laboratory tests with longresidence times. However, these cannot be maintained in a geothermalpower plant due to the large volume flows, provided that one wants toextract from the entire volume flow. For an implementation, one willtherefore have to accept lower extraction rates in favour of fasterkinetics, only be able to use a partial flow in the power plant orrequire a significantly higher material input. Even the 60-minuteretention time needed to reach 50 %, which is required for differentmethods, is a major challenge when looking at flow rates of 80 L/s.This is especially true since the normal retention time of 80 L/s isnot sufficient. This is especially true since the normal residencetime of thermal water“

„Given the current state of the art,however, extraction rates of 50 % during operation appear morerealistic than the more optimistic scenarios often discussed. in thegeothermal power plant is around 5 minutes.“

„Lithium concentration over time: InGermany, geothermal use of deep fluids is based on doublet systems(or similar configurations). From tracer tests, it can be deduced viarecovery at many sites that not insignificant parts of the fluid areextracted several times (Egert et al. 2020; Sanjuan, Scheiber, et al.2016). In extraction operations, this would lead to continuouslydecreasing lithium concentrations in the fluid.“

„Raw material extraction rate:Complete extraction cannot be expected for any method. In laboratoryvalidations, up to 90% lithium 23 was recovered in many cases. Whenscaling up and integrating the method into power plant operation,high reductions can be expected for the following reasons: complexfluid composition with competing ions, too short residence times inthe extraction system, high volume flows, high temperatures, etc.“

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