Lithium Extraction and Purification from Geothermal Brine; The Fight for Water: How Indigenous Chileans and Lithium Corporations Compete

Lithium Hydroxide can be produced from brine using the sorbent Iron (III) Phosphate with an electrochemical reaction. A design incorporating this sorbent is appended to an existing geothermal plant located in California's Salton Sea. This plant could support a domestic lithium industry to supply the growing battery industry. Current lithium sources originate in the Lithium Triangle region located in Chile. The lithium produced in the Chilean region has created a dilemma between economic prosperity and environmental damage. Advocates and critics of extraction in the region have used litigation, protests, social and public media, and coalition building to raise support for their cause.

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Technical Advisor: Eric Anderson

STS Advisor: Peter Norton

Technical Team Members: Allison Sawyer, Sarah Bhargava, Madaline Marland, Maurice Curran