Salton Sea Geothermal Lithium Recovery Demonstration Project
Summary
SCH Number
2020060332
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Salton Sea Geothermal Lithium Recovery Demonstration Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/17/2020
Document Description
CalEnergy Operating Corporation (CalEnergy) will conduct a pilot test to demonstrate the feasibility of technologies to extract lithium from geothermal brine that is produced at its geothermal facilities. The technology proposed for testing will process 100 gallons per minute of geothermal brine. In the first phase of the lithium extraction process, referred to as the "pre-treatment" section of the unit, calcium hydroxide (which is already in use at the facility as lime) is used to condition brine prior to routing the brine to the lithium extraction process. The lithium extraction process then employs inert resin beads manufactured by Lilac Solutions to extract the lithium chloride from the brine. The lithium extraction unit uses hydrochloric acid (which is also currently used at the facility), along with power and water utilities, in order to accomplish the extraction process. After extraction of lithium chloride from the brine, the post-extraction brine streams are returned to the current brine processing system, which results in the test essentially being minor treatment of a small side-stream of brine.
Contact Information
Name
Katharina Gerber
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Agency Name
BHER Minerals, LLC
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Cities
Calipatria
Counties
Imperial
Other Location Info
6922 Crummer Rd
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit 14, § 15306
Reasons for Exemption
The pilot project includes activities of taking geothermal brine and processing it for lithium extraction. These activities will not affect any functions of the geothermal plant. Also, the project will include basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities, which should not result in major disturbance to environmental resources.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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