Methods of operating lithium extraction processes, and related systems

Abstract

A system is provided a composition of produced fluids of production wells extending through an earth formation, the produced fluids having a concentration of lithium. The system may provide a feed material to a lithium extraction process, the feed material comprising flowrates of the produced fluids. The system may utilize a simulation to determine an optimal feed composition to provide to the lithium extraction process to maximize a concentration of lithium in the feed material. The system may adjust flowrates of each of the produced fluids based on the optimal feed composition. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

1 . A method of operating a lithium extraction process, the method comprising:
 measuring a concentration of lithium in each of a plurality of produced fluids from a plurality of production wells extending through an earth formation;   providing a feed material to the lithium extraction process, the feed material comprising a plurality of produced fluids, each produced fluid of the plurality of produced fluids having a concentration of lithium;   using a simulation, based at least in part on the concentration of lithium in each of the produced fluids, determining an optimal feed composition to provide to the lithium extraction process to optimize a concentration of lithium in the feed composition and at least one of:
 maintain at least one of a concentration of at least another component in the feed material within a threshold concentration of the at least another component; or 
 maintain an energy consumption of the lithium extraction process within a threshold energy consumption; and 
   adjusting a flowrate of at least one of the produced fluids to adjust the feed material to the optimal feed composition.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using the simulation to determine an optimal location of each of the production wells and one or more injection wells to optimize the concentration of lithium in the feed composition based on a sweep efficiency and a recharging of lithium in the earth formation. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting the flowrate of the at least one of the produced fluids includes adjusting one or more valve positions, adjusting an operating parameter of one or more electric submersible pumps (ESPs), or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further including:
 reducing a first flowrate of a first produced fluid when the concentration of lithium in the first produced fluid is less than a concentration of the at least another component in the first produced fluid; and   increasing the first flowrate when the concentration of lithium in the first produced fluid is above the concentration of the at least another component in the first produced fluid.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the optimal feed composition includes determining the optimal feed composition based on one or more of a model of a lithium reservoir through which the plurality of production wells extend, wellbore properties of the plurality of production wells, or a diameter of piping between the lithium extraction process and each of the production wells of the plurality of production wells. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using the simulation to determine a first flowrate of an effluent from the lithium extraction process to reinject to a first injection well and a second flowrate of the effluent to reinject to at least a second injection well to optimize the concentration of lithium in the feed composition over time. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein optimizing the concentration of lithium in the feed composition includes optimizing each of a recharging of lithium in the plurality of produced fluids and a sweep efficiency of the effluent through the earth formation. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the optimal feed composition includes determining the optimal feed composition having a concentration of the at least another component less than the threshold concentration. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein maintaining the energy consumption within the threshold energy consumption includes at least one of providing energy to the lithium extraction process based on an availability of renewable energy sources and maintaining an energy consumption of the lithium extraction process less than an amount of energy available from renewable energy sources for a given period of time. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a first minimum threshold concentration of lithium in the feed material based on operating conditions of the lithium extraction process. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 determining a second minimum threshold concentration of lithium in the feed material responsive to the plurality of production wells being unable to provide the first minimum threshold concentration of lithium in the feed material; and   changing the operating conditions of the lithium extraction process to accommodate the second minimum threshold concentration of lithium.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising measuring a concentration of the at least another component in each of the plurality of produced fluids, wherein adjusting the flowrate of the at least one of the produced fluids includes adjusting the flowrate of the at least one of the produced fluids based on the concentration of the at least another component in each of the produced fluids. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least another component is at least one of silica, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, manganese, iron or water. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the optimal feed composition includes determining the optimal feed composition having a concentration of lithium above a threshold concentration of lithium and a concentration of the at least another component below the threshold concentration of the at least another component. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further including simulating an energy cost for the optimal feed composition and adjusting the optimal feed composition based on the simulated energy cost. 
     
     
         16 . A system for optimizing a feed composition for a lithium extraction process, the system comprising:
 a first sensor in fluid communication with a first produced fluid from a first production well, the first sensor configured to measure a concentration of at least a first component in the first produced fluid;   a second sensor in fluid communication with a second produced fluid from a second production well, the second sensor configured to measure the concentration of the at least the first component in the second produced fluid;   a first valve configured to adjust a first flowrate of the first produced fluid;   a second valve configured to adjust a second flowrate of the second produced fluid;   a processor in operable communication with the first sensor, the second sensor, the first valve, and the second valve;   memory in electronic communication with the processor; and   instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to cause the processor to:
 simulate an optimal feed composition to provide to the lithium extraction process based on the concentration of the at least the first component in the first produced fluid and at least one of:
 the concentration of the at least the first component in the second produced fluid; or 
 an energy consumption of the lithium extraction process; and 
 
 provide instructions to the first valve and the second valve based on the optimal feed composition to adjust a position of the first valve to adjust the first flowrate and adjust a position of the second valve to adjust the second flowrate. 
   
     
     
         17 . A system of  claim 16 , further including an electric submersible pump (ESP) in operable communication with the processor, and wherein instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor cause the processor to provide instructions to the ESP to adjust an operating parameter of the ESP. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein adjusting the operating parameter of the ESP includes adjusting one or more of a rotation speed of the ESP, or a power provided to the ESP. 
     
     
         19 . A method of operating a lithium extraction process, the method comprising:
 measuring a concentration of lithium in a first produced fluid from a first production well extending through an earth formation;   measuring a concentration of lithium in a second produced fluid from a second production well extending through an earth formation;   mixing the first produced fluid and the second produced fluid to form a feed material to the lithium extraction process;   determining a flowrate of the first produced fluid and a flowrate of the second produced fluid to optimize a concentration of lithium in the feed composition and at least one of:
 maintain a concentration of at least another component in the feed material below a threshold concentration; or 
 maintain an energy consumption of the lithium extraction process below a threshold energy consumption; and 
   adjusting a flowrate of at least one of the first produced fluid or the second produced fluid based on the determined flowrate of the first produced fluid and the determined flowrate of the second produced fluid.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the at least another component is at least one of silica, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, manganese, iron, water, or a hydrocarbon.