Anson Resources Files US Patents for Chemical-Free Iron Removal in DLE Operations
Key Takeaways
- Anson Resources, via subsidiary A1 Technologies Inc., has lodged two US patent applications covering a chemical-free iron removal process for lithium-rich brines, with over 102 assays confirming treated iron levels below 1 ppm.
- The process uses compressed air rather than chemical oxidants to precipitate iron as ferric oxide, eliminating chemical procurement, handling, and disposal costs compared to the industry-standard method.
- The pilot unit has processed more than 10,000 gallons of raw brine across iron concentrations ranging from 1.72 ppm to 44.1 ppm, consistently achieving sub-1 ppm results without degrading lithium concentration.
- A scaled 200–250 gpm demonstration unit is being assembled at Anson's Lithium Innovation Center and is targeted for completion by end of 2026, ahead of integration into the planned 100tpa LCE demonstration plant.
- A1 Technologies owns 100% of the IP, and Anson has flagged licensing to other DLE operators globally as a potential secondary revenue stream independent of Green River production.
Anson lodges US patents for chemical-free iron removal breakthrough
Anson Resources, via its 100%-owned subsidiary A1 Technologies Inc., has lodged two patent applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office for a proprietary “chemical-free” process to remove iron from lithium-rich brines. The pre-treatment technology protects Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) resin performance and is expected to deliver significantly lower capital and operating costs than conventional industry-standard methods — flowing through to shareholder returns. The announcement was released on 31 August 2026.
The patent applications cover:
- A pilot plant unit capable of processing 5–10 gallons per minute (gpm) of raw brine
- A demonstration plant unit designed to process 200–250 gpm of raw brine
- More than 10,000 gallons of raw brine processed through the pilot pre-treatment system
- Over 102 assays confirming iron reduced to less than 1 ppm
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Why iron removal matters for lithium extraction
The Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) process uses resin to selectively capture lithium from brine. Iron contamination degrades resin performance over time by coating the resin surface, preventing lithium from accumulating and reducing both efficiency and longevity. Pre-treatment to remove iron is widely recognised as a critical step in commercial DLE operations.
Conventional iron removal methods rely on chemical oxidants and pH-control agents to convert soluble ferrous ions into ferric ions, which then precipitate out of the brine. This approach carries material capital and operating cost burdens due to chemical procurement, handling, and disposal.
The A1 Technologies process introduces compressed air into the brine, raising dissolved oxygen levels and oxidising iron molecules into ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃), which precipitates to the tank bottom. No chemicals are used in the oxidation or precipitation stages.
What this means for investors: eliminating chemical inputs is expected to significantly reduce both upfront capital expenditure and ongoing operating costs compared to the industry-standard process. Importantly, the iron removal process does not alter the lithium concentration in the raw brine during oxidation — the lithium content remains unchanged throughout pre-treatment.
Test results confirm iron cut to under 1 ppm
The pilot unit processed raw brine with iron concentrations ranging from 5 ppm to 44 ppm. Treated brine consistently achieved an average iron concentration of less than 1 ppm. Green River brine iron levels typically range from 5 to 10 ppm, meaning the process has been tested across a range that includes both typical and elevated iron concentrations.
| Sample | Raw Brine Fe (ppm) | Pre-Treated Brine Fe (ppm) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 44.1 | 0.3 |
| 2 | 5.33 | 0.06 |
| 3 | 1.72 | 0.03 |
| 4 | 13.26 | 0.14 |
| 5 | 32.72 | 0.2 |
| 6 | 17.11 | 0.16 |
Consistent sub-1ppm results across a wide feed range demonstrate the robustness of the proprietary process. The technology handles both baseline brine chemistry and elevated iron concentrations without performance degradation.
Scaling up toward the demonstration plant
The 5–10 gpm pilot unit has been transported to the SDP in Green River, Utah, for continuous-feed test work under operational conditions.
The upscaled 200–250 gpm demonstration unit is being assembled at Anson’s Lithium Innovation Center (LIC) and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The design is modular and continuous-flow, eliminating the need for large holding and settling tanks and supporting a more efficient commercial operating model. This unit will be integrated into Anson’s planned 100tpa LCE demonstration plant.
The chemical-free technology work began mid-2024. It was successfully pilot tested at Green River in 2024/2025 during test work conducted by Koch Technology Systems (KTS), using a simpler technique adapted from the oil and gas industry. The process was then enhanced and refined at the LIC.
Owning the IP: a potential secondary revenue stream
A1 Technologies Inc., a 100%-owned subsidiary of Anson Resources, is the 100% owner of the intellectual property. The inventor is R. Jachuck, a consultant to A1 Lithium since 2023. Under the consulting agreement, any IP he develops is 100% owned by A1 Lithium Inc. His separate CoFlo Technologies patents, which cover evaporation technologies for thermal systems, are in a completely different field.
Anson plans to use the IP to develop pre-treatment systems for its Green River project and to explore licensing opportunities for secondary revenue generation.
Anson’s stated strategic objectives in the announcement note that the company’s lithium extraction process is to seek to use the most up to date technologies to contribute to higher lithium recovery with low impact upon the environment, and that reducing the use of chemicals in the flow sheet is also expected to lower production costs and increase shareholder returns.
What this tells you: IP ownership converts an internal cost-saving into a potential external revenue channel. If the technology proves commercially scalable, Anson could license it to other DLE operators globally, creating a secondary revenue stream independent of Green River production.
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What this means for investors
The patent applications represent a material technology milestone that addresses a known cost and performance bottleneck in DLE operations. Lower capital and operating expenditure, protected resin performance, reduced environmental impact, and optional licensing upside position the technology as a potential value driver across both the Green River project and the broader DLE sector. The near-term catalyst is demonstration-scale unit completion by the end of 2026.
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