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On the engineering front, OLI\u2019s subject matter experts have helped to advance the design and efficiency of the burgeoning Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) process. These include advanced modelling for lithium extraction from geothermal and oilfield-produced brines.<\/p>\n
Collaborating closely with operators in diverse sectors, OLI Systems engineers have contributed their expertise to design lithium extraction pilot plants for producers of magnesium, potash, and boron tailings, from rhyolite clays, and untested pegmatite ores. These pilot plants serve as crucial testing grounds for novel extraction methodologies, aiding in the optimisation of lithium recovery processes.<\/p>\n
OLI engineers are also instrumental in advancing the design and efficiency of lithium purification processes: lithium hydroxide (LiOH); lithium carbonate (Li2<\/sub>CO3<\/sub>); lithium nitrate (LiNO3<\/sub>); lithium peroxide (Li2<\/sub>O2<\/sub>); and other novel purification products. By leveraging our deep knowledge of chemistry mechanisms like ion exchange and redox reactions, OLI ensures the efficient study of key reaction and separation processes that are essential to producing high-purity lithium products.<\/p>\n
OLI\u2019s proficiency is exemplified in our role as the chief simulation team for the Salton Sea (California) and Smackover (Arkansas) lithium extraction and purification demonstration plants. These plants are pioneering examples of sustainable and efficient critical materials extraction.<\/p>\n
These advancements empower OLI\u2019s clients to design their own operations independently or with the support of OLI\u2019s subject matter experts. This democratisation of technology ensures wider access to state-of-the-art solutions, fuelling the growth of critical material industries.<\/p>\n
Empowering critical material industries with cutting-edge solutions<\/h3>\nIn the dynamic landscape of critical materials, OLI Systems acts as a pivotal partner, collaborating with dozens of companies, national laboratories, and joint consortia to produce essential critical materials. OLI\u2019s expertise and dedication to research have cemented our role as a key participant for developing the thermodynamics that are essential to advancing extraction and purification processes.<\/p>\n
At the forefront of the lithium extraction industry, OLI\u2019s impact on the lithium production sector extends to all aspects of lithium extraction and purification, to all lithium sources, and to all geographic regions. For salars, OLI\u2019s predictive capabilities play a crucial role in optimising pond evaporation and chemical treatment, leading to enhanced lithium recovery rates. In pegmatites, OLI\u2019s software solutions help optimise roasting, leaching, and impurities removal, resulting in improved yield and purity. Likewise, in clay extraction, OLI\u2019s Flowsheet: ESP software<\/a> and chemistry database play a critical role in modelling the removal of various metals from the pregnant leachate. This provides lithium producers with a cleaner Li2<\/sub>SO4<\/sub>\u00a0feedstock, enhancing the overall purity and quality of the final product.<\/p>\n
Enabling sustainable lithium solutions<\/h3>\n
The lithium industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with companies spanning multiple sectors and creating an ecosystem for identifying viable reserves, lithium extraction, purifying to acceptable quality, converting it into material for batteries and eventually recovering it from spent batteries. OLI Systems\u2019 metals and mining consulting teams<\/a> play a critical role in supporting and collaborating with key players across the entire lithium space, enabling the industry\u2019s progress towards sustainability and efficiency.<\/p>\n
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Engineering companies, another longstanding OLI client base, play a crucial role in designing, constructing, and commissioning lithium extraction and purification plants. OLI\u2019s technology and expertise are indispensable for the successful completion of these projects, ensuring that operations are well-optimised and meet environmental standards.<\/p>\n
Equipment suppliers like lithium media producers, electrochemical cell manufacturers, water treatment chemical companies and environmental service providers play a pivotal role in the success of plant operations. These suppliers are also the driving force behind the incubation of new extraction and purification solutions. OLI collaborates closely with them and provides technical expertise and solutions that align with their needs and market demands.<\/p>\n
Research labs, both in universities and government institutions, are the critical medium-to-long-range source of technological advancements. OLI\u2019s first-principles approach to modelling is indispensable for these organisations in their quest to understand fundamental mechanisms and develop universally applicable solutions for the industry.<\/p>\n
The journey of lithium extraction to its integration into batteries involves multiple steps, and OLI software plays a key role at each stage. Battery manufacturers and users rely on OLI\u2019s simulations and expertise to ensure that lithium feedstock have acceptable purity levels. As these companies work towards vertically integrating their supply chain, OLI\u2019s technology and expertise is essential as they staff up to fill gaps in their chemical and engineering knowledge base.<\/p>\n
Battery recycling has emerged as a fast-growing market. Recycling companies are expanding their processes to recover a greater fraction of the recyclable elements. OLI\u2019s expertise and tools are increasingly being leveraged to address the complexities of lithium recovery from spent batteries.<\/p>\n
Pioneering innovation in critical materials<\/h3>\nOLI\u2019s commitment to research and development has resulted in cutting-edge chemistry which has helped to revolutionise the way critical materials are understood and utilised.<\/p>\n
One of OLI\u2019s key contributions lies in our property predictions at extreme temperature, pressures, and concentrations. By accurately simulating the behaviour of critical materials under challenging conditions, OLI enables industries to design and optimise processes that can withstand the harshest environments, ensuring efficient and reliable material extraction and production.<\/p>\n
OLI\u2019s applied chemical mechanisms are at the forefront of innovation in the critical materials space. Our expertise extends to a wide array of chemical mechanisms, including Direct Lithium Extraction, layered double hydroxide extraction, electrochemical processes, adsorption\/ion exchange on natural clays, zeolites, and demineralisation resins. This comprehensive range of mechanisms offers unprecedented flexibility in critical material processing, opening new avenues for sustainability and efficiency.<\/p>\n
OLI\u2019s commitment to cutting-edge technologies is evident in our mathematics-based design optimisation tools. By leveraging mathematical models, OLI enables industries to optimise their processes with precision, reducing waste, minimising resource consumption, and enhancing overall productivity.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fig-5-300x98.png\")
Fig. 3: Conceptual design of a four-step DLE process, including the adsorption and elution steps and the essential rinsing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe successful delivery of OLI technology through Cloud APIs has also been a pivotal step in OLI Systems\u2019 innovation journey. We have democratised access to our technical insights for any application, for any type of user. By harnessing the power of cloud computing, OLI offers real-time access to critical materials simulations, providing industries with instant insights to enable swift decision-making, even in the most dynamic and fast-paced environments.<\/p>\n
OLI\u2019s direct use of real-time plant data further enhances the efficiency of critical material operations. By integrating data analytics and predictive modelling, OLI empowers industries to monitor and optimise their processes in near real-time, identifying opportunities for improvement and promptly addressing any challenges that arise.<\/p>\n
Shaping a sustainable future<\/h3>\n
Sustainability, the foundational state of Earth\u2019s natural ecosphere for a billion years, has evolved into a contemporary ethos. Achieving this crucial state demands the development of new science and engineering tools. As civilisation pivots towards sustainability, a collective effort from dedicated scientists, engineers, theorists, mathematicians, and data scientists is required to shape the technology that will achieve this vision. OLI Systems stands at the forefront of this endeavour, having been a driving force for the past 50 years, constantly pushing the boundaries to predict the behaviour of elements and natural materials in both natural and chemical environments.<\/p>\n
Collaborating with numerous companies across multiple sectors, OLI actively contributes to the production of key critical materials. OLI, independently and through collaboration with multiple research and commercial ecosystems, aims to create a sustainable future by improving operational efficiency, reducing chemical consumption, reducing water use, eliminating hazardous chemical use and reducing the overall negative environmental impacts of chemical processes. OLI contributes to all steps from extraction to purification to product and finally recycling, supporting the circular economy, reducing waste and conserving resources.<\/p>\n
The successful delivery of OLI technology through Cloud APIs has also been a pivotal step in OLI Systems\u2019 innovation journey. We have democratised access to our technical insights for any application, for any type of user. By harnessing the power of cloud computing, OLI offers real-time access to critical materials simulations, providing industries with instant insights to enable swift decision-making, even in the most dynamic and fast-paced environments.<\/p>\n
OLI\u2019s direct use of real-time plant data further enhances the efficiency of critical material operations. By integrating data analytics and predictive modelling, OLI empowers industries to monitor and optimise their processes in near real-time, identifying opportunities for improvement and promptly addressing any challenges that arise.<\/p>\n
Shaping a sustainable future<\/h3>\n
Sustainability, the foundational state of Earth\u2019s natural ecosphere for a billion years, has evolved into a contemporary ethos. Achieving this crucial state demands the development of new science and engineering tools. As civilisation pivots towards sustainability, a collective effort from dedicated scientists, engineers, theorists, mathematicians, and data scientists is required to shape the technology that will achieve this vision. OLI Systems stands at the forefront of this endeavour, having been a driving force for the past 50 years, constantly pushing the boundaries to predict the behaviour of elements and natural materials in both natural and chemical environments.<\/p>\n
Collaborating with numerous companies across multiple sectors, OLI actively contributes to the production of key critical materials. OLI, independently and through collaboration with multiple research and commercial ecosystems, aims to create a sustainable future by improving operational efficiency, reducing chemical consumption, reducing water use, eliminating hazardous chemical use and reducing the overall negative environmental impacts of chemical processes. OLI contributes to all steps from extraction to purification to product and finally recycling, supporting the circular economy, reducing waste and conserving resources.<\/p>\n
The future of critical material industries<\/h3>\nAs the demand for critical materials continues to grow, OLI Systems remains committed to providing cutting-edge solutions, empowering companies to achieve sustainable and efficient production processes. Our contributions have not only enhanced the efficiency and sustainability of critical material processing but also fostered a more resilient and dynamic critical material ecosystem for the future. With wide-ranging expertise and a collaborative approach, OLI continues to play a transformative role in shaping the future of critical material industries.<\/p>\n
OLI Systems continues to push the boundaries of what is possible. Through innovation, collaboration and a focus on sustainability, OLI strives to play a transformative role in meeting the world\u2019s growing demands for critical materials and stands ready to lead the charge with innovation and excellence to deliver a greener and more responsible future.<\/p>\n
Please note, this article will also appear in the fifteenth\u00a0edition of our\u00a0quarterly publication<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"