Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules

Professional Diploma in Lithium Extraction from Seawater

This professional diploma 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 its separation, direct lithium extraction using adsorbents, ion exchange, membranes and electrochemistry, and purification up to battery-grade products, taking a critical view of the technological maturity and viability of a field that is still developing.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
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About the program

What is the Professional Diploma in Lithium Extraction from Seawater?

This professional diploma prepares you to understand and assess the technologies that aim to obtain lithium from seawater and desalination brines. You will analyze the lithium value chain and its sources, the chemistry that makes separating lithium from sodium, magnesium and potassium so demanding, and every direct extraction route: selective adsorbents, ion-exchange resins and solvent extraction, nanofiltration, selective membranes and electrochemical processes. You will then follow purification through to lithium carbonate and hydroxide and evaluate energy use, costs, environmental impact and technology readiness.

What sets this diploma apart: a strategic subject, since lithium is a key raw material for batteries and the energy transition; a critical view that separates what has been demonstrated from what is still at laboratory or pilot stage; all extraction routes, with adsorption, ion exchange, membranes and electrochemistry in a single program; the full path from ion to product, up to lithium carbonate and hydroxide; and a practical case in which you assess a lithium extraction route for a specific source.

Program typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Strategic subject: lithium is a key raw material for batteries and the energy transition.
  • Critical view: separate what has been demonstrated from what is still at laboratory or pilot stage.
  • All routes: adsorption, ion exchange, membranes and electrochemistry in one program.
  • From ion to product: purification up to lithium carbonate and hydroxide.
  • Viability: mass and energy balances, costs, life cycle and technology readiness.
  • Practical case: assessing a lithium extraction route for a specific source.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Lithium Extraction from Seawater

8 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Lithium in the energy transition

  • 1.1. Uses of lithium: batteries and other applications
  • 1.2. Commercial lithium products
  • 1.3. Sources: salt flats, hard rock and brines
  • 1.4. Seawater as a source of lithium
  • 1.5. The lithium value chain
  • 1.6. Critical raw materials
  • 1.7. Supply risks
  • 1.8. Market trends
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Lithium chemistry in brines

  • 2.1. Composition of lithium-bearing brines
  • 2.2. The magnesium-to-lithium ratio
  • 2.3. Competition with sodium and potassium
  • 2.4. Ionic behavior of lithium
  • 2.5. The effect of concentration
  • 2.6. Desalination brines
  • 2.7. Chemical analysis of lithium
  • 2.8. Pretreatment of the source
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Lithium-selective adsorbents

  • 3.1. Principles of selective adsorption
  • 3.2. Manganese oxide adsorbents
  • 3.3. Titanium oxide adsorbents
  • 3.4. Aluminum-based adsorbents
  • 3.5. Capacity and selectivity
  • 3.6. Loading and elution cycles
  • 3.7. Adsorbent degradation
  • 3.8. Column design
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Ion exchange and solvent extraction

  • 4.1. Ion-exchange resins
  • 4.2. Resin selectivity
  • 4.3. Solvent extraction
  • 4.4. Extractants
  • 4.5. Extraction and stripping stages
  • 4.6. Reagent management
  • 4.7. Losses and recovery
  • 4.8. Comparison with adsorption
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Membranes and electrochemical processes

  • 5.1. Nanofiltration to separate magnesium
  • 5.2. Lithium-selective membranes
  • 5.3. Selective electrodialysis
  • 5.4. Lithium intercalation electrodes
  • 5.5. Capacitive deionisation
  • 5.6. Membrane electrolysis
  • 5.7. Energy consumption
  • 5.8. State of development
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 6

Purification and lithium products

  • 6.1. Concentrating eluates
  • 6.2. Removing impurities
  • 6.3. Precipitation of lithium carbonate
  • 6.4. Production of lithium hydroxide
  • 6.5. Battery-grade specifications
  • 6.6. Crystallization and drying
  • 6.7. Quality control
  • 6.8. Process by-products
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 7

Viability, sustainability and regulation

  • 7.1. Technology readiness levels
  • 7.2. Mass and energy balances
  • 7.3. Capital and operating costs
  • 7.4. Integration with desalination plants
  • 7.5. Environmental impact and effluents
  • 7.6. Life cycle assessment
  • 7.7. Regulatory framework and permits
  • 7.8. Project risks
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 8

Practical case: assessing a lithium extraction route

  • 8.1. Selecting the source
  • 8.2. Characterizing the brine
  • 8.3. Selecting the technology
  • 8.4. Process flow diagram
  • 8.5. Estimating consumption
  • 8.6. Preliminary economic assessment
  • 8.7. Environmental assessment
  • 8.8. Presenting the case
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Lithium Extraction from Seawater

It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
15
months to finish
67 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Professional Diploma in Lithium Extraction from Seawater

01Understand the lithium market.
02Understand lithium chemistry.
03Know the extraction technologies.
04Plan purification.
05Assess viability.
06Evaluate sustainability.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Lithium Extraction from Seawater

01Lithium process engineerdesign and assessment of extraction processes.
02R&D technician in selective materialsdevelopment of adsorbents and membranes.
03Critical raw materials analystassessment of sources and markets.
04Technology consultantfeasibility studies for companies and investors.
05Brine valorisation technicianprojects at desalination plants.
06Battery supply chain specialistlithium procurement.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Professional Diploma in Lithium Extraction from Seawater

Not on a large 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 first developed for more concentrated brines.

A grounding in general chemistry is recommended; the program reviews the concepts you need.

You assess a lithium extraction route for a specific source, with a process flow diagram and a viability analysis.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.

The professional diploma comprises 800 hours of study across 8 modules of about 100 hours each and ends with a practical case. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at chemical and materials engineers who wish to specialize in lithium, chemists and researchers working on selective adsorbents or membranes, battery industry professionals who need to understand lithium supply, desalination plant technicians interested in adding value to brine, and technology analysts and investors who assess lithium extraction projects. A degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, materials engineering, mining engineering or a related field, or professional experience in the chemical, mining or battery industries, is recommended.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $444 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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