Grant: Alliance Grants

There is a high potential to recover and utilize multiple critical minerals present in the waste streams of Alberta's oil and gas sector. These include substantial lithium reserves present in oilfield and geothermal brines, as well as vanadium, rare earth elements (REEs), and other critical minerals in waste sludges. Challenge: It is energy and capital-intensive to extract and separate these valuables out of the large volume waste streams due to their very dilute concentrations relative to non-valuable metals (gangue ions) that are also present. Objectives: We will develop cheap biofriendly adsorbents that can handle large volumes of brines/leachates and selectively separate Li and other critical elements from gangue ions while mitigating fouling issues. In addition, we will develop energy-efficient leaching technology to release metal ions from sludges. Outcomes. (1) Direct lithium and critical element separation technologies for Alberta oilfield and geothermal brines as well as leachates from waste sludges, (2) Energy efficient microwave-based roasting and leaching technology for release of REEs, vanadium and other critical elements from waste sludges. Research Team: The research team (Ponnurangam, Trifkovic, Natale, De la Hoz Siegler, and Sen) possesses scientific expertise and leadership in key areas to support the success of the proposed project. This includes knowledge of critical metal extraction, nanomaterial synthesis, complex fluids, interfacial phenomena, 3D adsorbents, advanced imaging, practical knowledge of the secondary waste products from oil and gas sector, and bioengineering processes. Our industrial partners Summit Nanotech, and Blue Eden CleanTechnology Solutions, have great interest in the proposed work as it adds significant value to their existing products and processes. Benefits to Canada: The proposed program serves an urgent need, as it will initiate and tap into Alberta's substantial but currently underutilized mineral resources, particularly lithium, vanadium, and rare earth elements. The proposed research is in strong alignment with both the strategies and initiatives put forth by the Alberta and federal authorities pertaining to critical minerals.