Indonesia is a country rich in mineral resources and geothermal energy because it is in the Ring of Fire zone. One of Indonesia’s potential natural resources is lithium. Lithium is a mineral that plays a role in the development of future technologies, including electric vehicles and other mobile equipment. The development of lithium battery technology is also increasing rapidly with the discovery of lithium anode and cathode materials with other metals, such as cobalt, iron, manganese, phosphate and boron.
To explore the potential of Indonesia’s lithium natural resources, it is necessary to carry out research activities on the potential of lithium natural resources from within the earth. In addition, Indonesia as a maritime country also has the potential for saltwater originating from seawater. This attracted the attention of Eko Sulistiyono to conduct his doctoral dissertation research. Eko wrote a dissertation entitled “Separation of Magenium and Lithium Ions from Brine Water with the Addition of Sodium Silicate” which was then presented at the doctoral promotion session of the Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials FTUI (22/06).
“Until now the development of lithium from Indonesia’s natural resources has not been prominent compared to lithium battery waste. Obstacles in the utilization of natural lithium resources in Indonesia are high levels of magnesium and low levels of lithium. The levels of magnesium and lithium in brines are often called the Mg/Li ratio in brines. The higher the value of the Mg/Li ratio, the more difficult it is to separate the magnesium and lithium. Separation of magnesium and lithium ions is the key to the successful development of lithium extraction from saltwater resources in Indonesia,” said Eko.
In the experiment of separating magnesium and lithium ions with sodium silicate reagent, it was shown that natural brines are better than artificial brines. This is due to the influence of carbonate anions present in natural brines and not present in artificial brines. Diluting water in non-geothermal concentrated brine (salt pond waste) can reduce the Mg/Li ratio. Controlling the Mg/Li ratio by adding lithium carbonate before the precipitation process can increase lithium recovery. With the help of exposure to ultrasonic waves in the precipitation process, there is an increase in the recovery of lithium. The addition of the stages of recovery of lithium from solid by-products, with the process of leaching water, can also increase the yield of lithium.
“The research conducted by the Doctor from DTMM FTUI is research with a long-term impact. Lithium which has a role in the development of futuristic technology, one of which is electric vehicles, is something that needs to be developed further. This is also done as an effort to explore the potential of Indonesia’s rich and abundant resources. It is hoped that this research will have a superior impact on the sustainability of Indonesia’s technology and natural wealth. Apart from that, this research can also be continuously developed by collaborating with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN),” said the Dean of FTUI, Prof. Dr. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU regarding this research.
Eko Sulistiyono won a Doctorate with Cum Laude predicate. He is the 62nd Doctor who graduated from the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering and the 504th Doctor at FTUI. The doctoral promotion session was chaired by the Chairman of the Session, Prof. Dr. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU. With the Promoter, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Harjanto and Co Promoter, Dr. Latifa Hamun Lalasari, S.T., M.T. The Examiner Team consists of Prof. Dr. Ir. Firdiyono, Prof. Dr. -Ing. Ir. BambangSuharno, Prof. Dr. Ir. Anne Zulfia Syahrial, M.Sc., Dr. Ir. Donanta Dhaneswara, M.Sc. and Dr. -Ing. Reza Miftahul Ulum, S.T., M.T.
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Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia