Our Lithium Extraction Process Optimization plants.
Die Optimierungsanlagen dienen vor allem der Optimierung von Betriebsabläufen, der Durchführung von Produktqualitätstests und der Schulung von Vulcans Personal in Vorbereitung auf den Betriebsbeginn der kommerziellen Produktionsanlagen.
Lithium Extraction Optimisation Plant Vulcan LEOP.
In April 2024, Vulcan began producing its first lithium chloride (LiCl) from the Lithium Extraction Optimization Plant (LEOP). This is the first lithium produced entirely in Europe—for Europe.
Results show a consistent efficiency of over 90% (up to 95%) in the extraction of lithium from geothermal brine.
With a company investment of more than 40 million euros, the LEOP is a facility primarily designed to optimize operational processes, conduct product quality tests, and train and prepare the production team for the operation of the commercial plant.
The LEOP is based on the experience Vulcan has gained in its in-house laboratories and pilot plants in Insheim and Landau, where the A-DLE extraction process was successfully tested over three years and more than 10,000 hours.
Lithiumextraction The procedure.
To extract lithium from thermal water, we use the Direct Lithium Extraction adsorption process, which has been commercially proven in the lithium industry since the 1990s. Compared to conventional extraction processes, this has advantages such as lower operating costs, lower water consumption and a smaller CO2 footprint. For direct lithium extraction, we use “VULSORB,” a sorbent we developed ourselves. This aluminate-based sorbent delivers higher performance and lower water consumption during lithium recovery compared to the commercially available sorbents tested by Vulcan, and is adapted to the conditions of the Upper Rhine Graben.
Using this process, we recover a highly concentrated lithium chloride solution from the LEOP.
Central Lithium Electrolysis Optimization Plant CLEOP.
We transport the lithium chloride produced at LEOP to the downstream facility—the Central Lithium Electrolysis Optimization Plant (CLEOP)—for lithium processing. There, the lithium chloride is converted into battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) through electrolysis.
The CLEOP opened in the fall of 2024. The first batch of LHM produced is being delivered to customers such as Stellantis for pre-qualification testing.
Both the optimization plant and the commercial plant will be located at the Frankfurt-Höchst Chemical Park.
Vulcan's smarter and more sustainable Lithium extraction process.
