ScholarWorks@Y-Scholar Hub

초록

As the global lithium demand accelerates, brine-based extraction is gaining attention as a key resource strategy. However, conventional concentration technologies have critical limitations, including high energy consumption, CO2 emissions, intensive chemical use, and significant wastewater discharge. This study proposes an integrated lithium extraction system that addresses these challenges by combining nanofiltration and membrane distillation for energy-efficient brine concentration, electrolysis coupled with carbon capture and utilization (CCU) for internal alkali chemical production, and membrane distillation for freshwater recovery. The results of a techno-economic analysis indicate that the proposed system reduces the levelized cost of lithium production by up to 83.6% compared with conventional methods. Life cycle assessment results further demonstrate reduced environmental impacts across energy use, emissions, and chemical discharge while maintaining high lithium recovery and enabling byproduct valorization. The integration of membrane-based separation, onsite chemical regeneration, and water reuse offers a sustainable and scalable pathway for the recovery of lithium from brine.