The construction of the Unlimited pilot plant for the extraction of lithium has been successfully completed. The work was carried out under the leadership of KIT in cooperation with the collaborative partners. The demonstrator is currently located at the Bruchsal test site and is connected to the thermal water circuit there via a bypass system. This enables the UnLimited research team to conduct the field tests for lithium extraction under real conditions of the geothermal plant (p = 20 bar, T =60 °C).
First tests are planned for the beginning of next year. Initially, manganese oxide will be used as adsorbent. Preliminary studies by KIT at laboratory scale showed promising performance of this type of LMO adsorbent. The tests will be accompanied by a hydrochemical monitoring program dealing not only with major and trace elements, but also with relevant physicochemical parameters and selected isotopes.