Electrochemical extraction of lithium by ion insertion from natural brine using a flow-by reactor: Possibilities and limitations

•A flow-by sustainable electrochemical reactor was assessed for extraction of lithium from brine.•Extraction from natural brine with all components as opposed to simulated brine.•Current efficiency and extraction efficiency were demonstrated.•Discussion of flow-by vs. flow-through configurations. Experimental results on the sustainable extraction of lithium chloride from natural brine (Salar de Hombre Muerto, Argentina) using a flow-by electrochemical reactor at constant applied current are presented. The maximum applied current, the current efficiency and the lithium recovery per mass of lithium ion insertion material are evaluated and the flow-by vs. flow-through configurations are compared.