At the beginning of the year, the UnLimited research team started the first series of tests for lithium extraction at the Bruchsal site. Initially, a manganese-based adsorbent is being tested, which has already shown promising performance in the KIT laboratory tests.
The extraction unit is connected to a bypass system which allows to work with a partial volume flow of the extracted thermal water. Taking into account the thermodynamic conditions on site (operation pressure: 22 bar; return temperature: 60 °C), realistic extraction rates will be determined in field tests, and potential negative influences on the regular operation of the geothermal plant itself will be clarified.