Objective
Desalination brines are usually discarded or treated using costly, chemical- and energy-intensive methods, leading to loss of critical metals and high emissions. BrinE-Loop introduces an electrified, closed-loop system that generates its own reagents for brine treatment, minimizing external chemical use. For the first time, this project will also demonstrate the use of desalination brine as a reagent to selectively recover lithium from battery black mass containing lithium iron phosphate (LFP).
BrinE-Loop integrates interoperable electrochemical processes that treat brine as a resource. Electrodialysis with monovalent-selective membranes separates divalent- and monovalent-rich streams; ion-selective redox flow desalination separates magnesium; and electrochemical lithium ion pumping captures lithium selectively. The monovalent-rich stream feeds a chlor-alkali reactor, whose anodic products are internally captured and utilized as redox mediators to selectively dissolve lithium from LFP black mass. The cathodic alkali hydroxides serve as reagents to remove divalent ions by precipitation. Hydrogen from the chlor-alkali step is consumed by a fuel-cell deionization reactor that deionizes lithium halide streams, forming LiOH and acid as key products. The acid is reused to release CO2 from brines, which is then internally converted into lithium carbonate and calcium carbonate.
BrinE-Loop’s defining innovation is the complete internal reuse of all electrochemical co-products (acid, alkali, hydrogen, halogens, and CO2), transforming desalination brines from waste into a valuable source of reagents. This approach turns a major waste stream into high-value critical minerals and industrial chemicals, cutting environmental impact while generating new revenue.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkali metals
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry inorganic compounds
- engineering and technology chemical engineering separation technologies desalination electrodialysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology tissue engineering artificial pancreas continuous glucose monitors
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2025-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
50-370 Wroclaw
Poland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.