Production of sodium carbonate from solution mine brine

Patent 5955043 Issued on September 21, 1999. Estimated Expiration Date:

August 29, 2016. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Assignee

Tg Soda Ash, Inc.

Application

No. 705159 filed on 08/29/1996

US Classes:

423/206.2, Alkali carbonate from trona23/302T, Sodium compounds423/421Alkali metal containing (Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs)

Examiners

Primary: Straub, Gary P.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Trask, Britt & Rossa

Foreign Patent References

87-9599 ZA. 12/13/1987
15822 GB. 07/13/1892
883202 GB. 11/13/1961
1 495 530 GB. 12/13/1977
2 098 973 GB. 12/13/1982

International Classes

C10D 007/12
C10D 007/24

Abstract

A process for forming useful sodium salts by uniquely processing dilute mine brines obtained by solution mining of a sodium bicarbonate containing ore deposit with an aqueous solvent is disclosed. The dilute mine brine is reduced in sodium bicarbonate content to prevent precipitation of the sodium bicarbonate in subsequent crystallization of sodium carbonate decahydrate. The reduced mine brine is directed to a crystallizer operated to form pure sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals and a carbonate/bicarbonate containing mother liquor in which the bicarbonate content is less than 4.5% by weight. The mother liquor is then steam stripped to convert a portion of the dissolved sodium bicarbonate in the mother liquor to sodium carbonate to form a carbonate enriched brine. The carbonate enriched brine is then recycled as a portion of said aqueous solvent to be used in the solution mining of the ore deposit.

Other References

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