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Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Lithium Extraction from Seawater
The Diploma in Lithium Extraction from Seawater Prepares you to understand and assess the technologies that aim to obtain lithium from seawater and desalination brines. You will study the lithium market, the chemistry of separatin
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts21 December
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Lithium Extraction from Seawater?
The Diploma in Lithium Extraction from Seawater
Prepares you to understand and assess the technologies that aim to obtain lithium from seawater and desalination brines. You will study the lithium market, the chemistry of separating it, direct lithium extraction using adsorbents, ion exchange, membranes and electrochemistry, and purification to battery-grade products, taking a critical look at the technology readiness and viability of a field that is still developing.
Key advantages
- A strategic subject: Lithium is a key raw material for batteries and the energy transition.
- A critical view: Tells apart what has been demonstrated from what is still at laboratory or pilot stage.
- Every route: Adsorption, ion exchange, membranes and electrochemistry in one programme.
- From ion to product: Purification to lithium carbonate and hydroxide.
- Case study: Assessing a lithium extraction route for a specific source.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Programme highlights
- Know the market: Understand the lithium value chain and its sources.
- Master separation: Learn why separating lithium from sodium and magnesium is so hard.
- Compare technologies: Assess the routes to direct lithium extraction.
- Judge viability: Analyse the energy, costs and maturity of each option.
- Boost your career: Open doors to battery, raw materials, desalination and R&D companies.
- Train in one of the toughest challenges in separation chemistry applied to the ocean.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Lithium in the Energy Transition
- Uses of lithium: batteries and other applications
- Commercial lithium products
- Sources: salt flats, hard rock and brines
- Seawater as a lithium source
- The lithium value chain
- Critical raw materials
- Supply risks
- Market trends
02
Lithium Chemistry in Brines
- Composition of lithium-bearing brines
- The magnesium-to-lithium ratio
- Competition with sodium and potassium
- Ionic behaviour of lithium
- Effect of concentration
- Desalination brines
- Chemical analysis of lithium
- Pre-treating the source
03
Lithium-Selective Adsorbents
- Principles of selective adsorption
- Manganese oxide adsorbents
- Titanium oxide adsorbents
- Aluminium-based adsorbents
- Capacity and selectivity
- Loading and elution cycles
- Adsorbent degradation
- Column design
04
Ion Exchange and Solvent Extraction
- Ion exchange resins
- Resin selectivity
- Solvent extraction
- Extractant agents
- Extraction and stripping stages
- Reagent management
- Losses and recovery
- Comparison with adsorption
05
Membranes and Electrochemical Processes
- Nanofiltration to remove magnesium
- Lithium-selective membranes
- Selective electrodialysis
- Lithium intercalation electrodes
- Capacitive deionisation
- Membrane electrolysis
- Energy consumption
- State of development
06
Purification and Lithium Products
- Concentrating eluates
- Removing impurities
- Lithium carbonate precipitation
- Lithium hydroxide production
- Battery-grade specifications
- Crystallisation and drying
- Quality control
- Process by-products
07
Viability, Sustainability and Regulation
- Technology readiness levels
- Mass and energy balances
- Capital and operating costs
- Integration with desalination plants
- Environmental impact and effluents
- Life cycle assessment
- Regulatory framework and permits
- Project risks
08
Case Study: Assessing a Lithium Extraction Route
- Choosing the source
- Characterising the brine
- Selecting the technology
- Process outline
- Estimating consumption
- Preliminary economic assessment
- Environmental assessment
- Presenting the case
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Chemical and materials engineers: who want to specialise in lithium Chemists and researchers: working on selective adsorbents or membranes Battery industry professionals: who need to understand lithium supply Desalination plant staff: interested in adding value to brine Technology analysts and investors: who assess lithium extraction projects
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand the lithium market
- 02Understand lithium chemistry
- 03Know the extraction technologies
- 04Plan purification
- 05Assess viability
- 06Weigh sustainability
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Lithium process engineer: Designing and assessing extraction processes.
02R&D specialist in selective materials: Developing adsorbents and membranes.
03Critical raw materials analyst: Assessing sources and markets.
04Technology consultant: Feasibility studies for companies and investors.
05Brine valorisation specialist: Projects at desalination plants.
06Battery supply chain specialist: Lithium procurement.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Not at scale. Lithium extraction from seawater is at research and pilot stage; the diploma teaches you to assess its potential rigorously.
Because lithium is highly diluted and accompanied by large amounts of sodium, magnesium and potassium, which calls for highly selective processes.
Yes, as a reference, since many direct lithium extraction technologies are developed first for more concentrated brines.
A grounding in general chemistry is recommended; the programme revisits the concepts you need.
You assess a lithium extraction route for a specific source, with a process outline and viability analysis.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 800 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Diploma in Lithium Extraction from Seawater qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Entry profile: A degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, materials engineering, mining engineering or a related field; or professional experience in the chemical, mining or battery industries. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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