Inventors:
Jerome A. Lukes - Ogden UT
International Classification:
B01D 1102, B01D 902, C01D 306, C01D 308
Abstract:
A subterranean salt deposit is solution mined, and the resulting calcium- and sulfate-contaminated brine is treated, e. g. , by soda ash, to precipitate insoluble calcium compounds. The resulting slurry is settled, and the effluent clear brine is evaporated in a series of solar ponds to produce high-grade sodium chloride.
The brine becomes progressively more concentrated with respect to sodium sulfate as it moves through the solar ponds. The sulfate-enriched brine may be recycled to the solution mine, evaporated to form a sulfate-contaminated sodium chloride crystal crop, or it may be subjected to winter cooling to remove sulfate values as Glauber's salt, the residual brine being recycled to the solar ponds or the solution mine.