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Step 1
Evaporation
& SOP crystallisation
The hot brine is evaporated under controlled temperature and pH conditions. As the solution concentrates, potassium and sulphate ions combine to form Glaserite, an intermediate salt that is then converted into high-purity potassium sulphate (SOP). This two-stage crystallisation process, already validated at laboratory scale, produces SOP meeting commercial fertiliser-grade specifications (>50% K₂O equivalent) while concentrating lithium and boron in the remaining solution for the next stages.
Step 2
Boron separation
The SOP-depleted brine is treated to selectively extract boron. BRAIN is developing and testing multiple complementary approaches, including selective precipitation and innovative ionic liquid-based extraction — a green solvent technology that offers high selectivity and can be regenerated and reused. The target is to recover over 70–85% of the boron present, producing it in a chemical form suitable for industrial applications.
Step 3
Lithium purification and battery-grade production
With potassium and boron removed, the remaining solution is enriched in lithium. Advanced purification steps — including ion exchange resins and fractional crystallisation — selectively remove residual impurities such as sodium, calcium and magnesium. The final product is lithium carbonate at battery-grade purity (≥99.5% Li₂CO₃), meeting the strict quality standards required by battery manufacturers.
Step 3
Lithium purification and battery-grade production
With potassium and boron removed, the remaining solution is enriched in lithium. Advanced purification steps — including ion exchange resins and fractional crystallisation — selectively remove residual impurities such as sodium, calcium and magnesium. The final product is lithium carbonate at battery-grade purity (≥99.5% Li₂CO₃), meeting the strict quality standards required by battery manufacturers.