Selective membranes for lithium-rich brines.
GREENVI™ is developing lithium selective nanofiltration membranes designed to improve lithium recovery from complex brine streams by separating lithium ions from competing ions such as magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium.
Lithium-Selective Nanofiltration (NF) Module
Magnesium-lithium separation limits recovery.
Lithium-rich brines often contain high concentrations of magnesium and calcium. Separating magnesium from lithium is difficult because magnesium and lithium have similar hydrated ion sizes, especially in brines with high Mg2+/Li+ ratios.
Technology objective
The platform is designed to preferentially reject divalent ions such as Mg2+ and Ca2+ while supporting Li+ passage for downstream lithium concentration, purification, and polishing.
Thin-Film Composite Nanofiltration (NF) for Selective Ion Separation.
The membrane combines a mechanically stable support layer with an engineered selective surface tailored to improve separation between lithium and competing ions. GREENVI™ has filed Canadian and U.S. patent applications covering the technology and related fabrication methods.
Blue Nanofiltration Module
Why it matters
By reducing magnesium and calcium impurities while maintaining lithium-rich permeate streams, the platform can help improve downstream lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide production efficiency.
Designed for lithium recovery workflows.
| Performance area | Development focus |
|---|---|
| Magnesium rejection | Up to approximately 90% or higher in selected brine tests. |
| Lithium passage | Low lithium rejection, supporting lithium transport through the membrane. |
| Water permeability | Practical permeability for nanofiltration-based brine processing. |
| Mixed salt separation | Strong separation between Mg2+ and Li+ in mixed salt solutions. |
| Stability | Stable flux and ion separation performance over long-term filtration tests. |
| Simulated brine testing | Evaluated with complex brines containing lithium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, chloride, and sulfate ions. |
Membrane materials, testing hardware, and module scale-up.
Lithium-Selective Nanofiltration (NF) Module
Cutting Machine & Quality Control Testing
Spiral-Wound Module Fabrication Line
Casting Machine for Roll-to-Roll Membrane Fabrication
Module format
Critical mineral separations with a cleaner footprint.
Lithium brine processing
Selective separation of lithium from brines containing magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium.
Direct lithium extraction polishing
A complementary polishing step after DLE to remove residual divalent ions and improve purity.
Battery recycling streams
Selective membrane separation for lithium recovery from battery waste or recycling processes.
Lithium-containing effluents
Treatment and recovery from industrial wastewater streams.
Purification before conversion
Improve downstream lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide production efficiency.
Partner validation
Application-specific testing with representative brine composition and separation targets.
Test lithium selectivity with your brine.
GREENVI™ is exploring partnerships with lithium producers, DLE companies, battery recycling companies, research organizations, and industrial partners interested in membrane validation.
