Development of a continuous silica treatment strategy for metal extraction processes in operating geothermal plants

The extraction of rare metals like lithium (Li) from geothermal fluids is a promising alternative to conventional mining. Membrane distillation (MD) could support energy-efficient fluid treatment enabling further freshwater production. For the operation of geothermal plants and MD uncontrolled precipitation of silica (Si) represents a major hurdle. Herein, we demonstrate the transfer of a Si treatment from lab to field demonstrator scale, tested under conditions of an operating geothermal power plant.