In a key step toward commercial production at the Green River Lithium Project in Utah, USA, Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN, OTCQB:ANSNF) has taken delivery of the Koch Technology Solutions (KTS) Li-Pro™ process pilot unit for lithium extraction tests using brine from the project.
The Li-Pro™ Lithium Selective Sorption (LSS) pilot unit was delivered to Anson Resources’ 100%-owned private land in Green River by KTS, a Koch Engineered Solutions (KES) company, and site installation is underway.
It was unveiled on site by Anson’s executive chairman and CEO Bruce Richardson alongside the company’s technical team and Koch representative at Green River on Monday, June 24, 2024.
In addition to SDP
The pilot unit, which is expected to be fully operational in July 2024 and will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the next two to four months, is in addition to Anson’s operational sample demonstration plant (SDP) at Green River that utilises the existing flow sheet.
This KTS Li-Pro™ unit will process fresh brine under commercial production conditions from Anson’s Bosydaba#1 well into lithium chloride that may be used to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate.
“Progressing at rapid pace”
Executive chairman & CEO Bruce Richardson said, “Anson is progressing at a rapid pace to develop the Green River Lithium Project.
“Two pilot units using different technologies and designs have been located on the company’s privately owned land next to the test well to enable a comparison of results using fresh brine, in the same conditions that will be used in full scale operations.
“The Koch pilot unit will be commissioned in the next couple of weeks and test work will be carried out over the next few months.
“Anson and KTS have worked well together to get the pilot on-site quickly. All the components required to complete the test work as soon as possible are in place and we look forward to announcing the outcome of the test work in the coming months.”
KTS Li-Pro™ Lithium Selective Sorption four-pack configuration.
KTS testing
KTS completed a detailed treatability study in May 2024 using brine from Anson Resources’ Green River Project. Testing by KTS has indicated exceptional results for lithium recovery and element rejection rates.
Results from the pilot unit, if successful, will provide detailed feasibility engineering and cost data for deployment of the full-scale Li-Pro™ process at the Green River Lithium Project’s lithium extraction facility.
Onsite processing equipment from the SDP provides the utilities and other infrastructure allowing Anson to test eluate output as well as convert to lithium carbonate.
Output from the KTS unit will be shared between KTS’ and Anson for their own testing as well as provided to downstream technology providers to conduct test work.
Potential commercial and strategic partners visited the Green River Lithium Project site on Monday, June 24, allowing for inspection of the Green River Lithium Project and the pilot unit.
About KTS
KTS is a technology licensing business within KES, a private company established in 1945 and is a division of Koch Industries, Inc., an American multinational conglomerate based in Wichita, Kansas.
Koch Industries is the second largest privately held company in the US by revenue, exceeding US$125 billion, and employs more than 120,000 people across 60 countries.
KTS has a growing portfolio of technologies, including advanced recycling, chemical manufacturing and direct lithium extraction.
By leveraging its exclusive technologies, expertise and capabilities, along with those of other KES companies, KTS provides comprehensive solutions to design, engineer and optimize capital investments and existing industrial assets.