Anson Resources Limited has announced “highly positive results” from a hydropower energy recovery study at its Paradox Lithium Project in the Paradox Basin in the U.S. state of Utah.
The study, conducted by the Worley Group, was designed to identify opportunities to use the hydraulic power of brine flowing from the wells and use the energy generated by brine being transported to the production location, 1,000 ft from the top to the bottom of a canyon, to the processing plant.
The results indicated that small hydropower units could be installed to capture useable energy from both. The study also identified opportunities to further reduce carbon emissions, improve ESG credentials and reduce operating costs of the project, the company said.
Previous studies indicated that the pressure of the brine at a depth of about 6,500 ft was about 4,500 psi and was sufficient to lift the brine to surface without mechanical pumping. It also indicated that the energy was not exhausted at the top of the well, where the pressure was measured at 1,700 psi.
The Worley hydropower energy study identified that each of the recovery wells could be connected to a small Pelton pit turbine to extract the energy generated by the pressure and create hydropower. Based on the study and available information, up to 4 MW of capacity may be available using small Pelton pit turbines.
In addition, the study identified that power may also be generated as the brine enters the lithium extraction and processing plant. A small powerhouse would need to be constructed to contain the turbine and generator and provide up to 3 MW of capacity.
The front-end engineering design currently being undertaken will further examine the option to include hydropower generation as part of the project’s overall power supply strategy, according to a release.
“Anson has a commitment to identifying opportunities to lower its environmental disturbance and carbon emissions with the use of technology,” said Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bruce Richardson. “From the commencement of development of the Paradox Lithium Project, Anson has sought technologies to reach this objective. This has included the use of Direct Extraction technology rather than traditional ponds.
“Harnessing naturally occurring pressure to bring brine to surface rather than pumping using carbon-based fuels and then using pressure at the well-head to generate electricity is another example. Generating hydro power from the vertical fall from the recovery point to the production site is a further example of how the Company is seeking to achieve its low carbon intensity targets. Anson is committed to building a lithium extraction process that will meet the standards for emissions that will be set in 20 years.”
Anson Resources is a junior mineral resources company, with a portfolio of minerals projects in key demand-driven commodities. Its core asset is the Paradox Lithium Project, which the company is focused on developing into a significant lithium producing operation.
Originally published on Hydro Review
