Raw materials in geothermal fluids

Raw materials are crucial to Europe’s economy, forming a strong base for a wide range of technologies used in everyday life. Reliable and unhindered access to certain often critical raw materials is an increasing concern in the EU and globally. Recently, geothermal brines have emerged as a possible resource for raw material extraction. Key questions in this field include the potential and sustainability of these extraction processes. The work will be conducted in the framework of the ThermIon project in close collaboration with partners from academia and industry.

The thesis will assess the potential of critical and valuable raw materials in geothermal fluids and evaluate possible extraction technologies. The study aims to establish a comprehensive database from available literature data to identify raw materials of high interest and rank them based on their abundance, feasibility of extraction processes and economic value.

The thesis will additionally involve (geochemical) experimental analysis, leaching experiments from reservoir samples and quantification of mass transfer rates to assess the origin of the fluids and the sustainability of extraction processes. After successful master graduation, the work can possibly be continued in the framework of a dissertation.