Process for silica removal from sodium bicarbonate production wastewater

    公开(公告)号:US10941046B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-03-09

    申请号:US16333255

    申请日:2017-09-13

    摘要: The present invention relates to a process for producing sodium bicarbonate crystals. Sodium carbonate derived from TRONA ore is mixed with a treated mother liquor produced in a downstream process to form a sodium carbonate solution. The sodium carbonate solution is subjected to a crystallization process that produces sodium bicarbonate crystals. The sodium bicarbonate crystals are separated from the sodium carbonate solution to form a mother liquor that includes silica. To remove the silica in the mother liquor, the mother liquor is directed to a reactor where an aluminum salt is mixed with the mother liquor to precipitate hydrous aluminum oxide which adsorbs silica thereon. The hydrous aluminum oxide with adsorbed silica is removed from the mother liquor. This produces the treated mother liquor that is mixed with the sodium carbonate and which forms the sodium carbonate solutions.

    METHOD FOR CONCENTRATING AND PURIFYING ELUATE BRINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A PURIFIED LITHIUM COMPOUND

    公开(公告)号:US20220144655A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-05-12

    申请号:US17438495

    申请日:2020-03-09

    发明人: Bernard Roy Mack

    摘要: A method is disclosed for concentrating and purifying an eluate brine and producing a purified lithium compound. An extraction eluate, rich in lithium, is directed to a nanofiltration unit or a softening process that removes sulfate and/or calcium and magnesium. Permeate from the nanofiltration unit or the effluent from the softening process is directed through an electrodialysis unit. As the lithium-rich solution moves through the electrodialysis unit, lithium, sodium and chloride ions pass from the solution through a cation-transfer membrane and an anion-transfer membrane to concentrate compartments. A dilute stream is directed through the concentrate compartments and collects the lithium, sodium and chloride ions. The electrodialysis unit also produces a product stream which contains non-ionized impurities, such as silica and/or boron. Concentrate from the electrodialysis unit is subject to a precipitation process that produces a lithium compound that is subsequently subjected to a purification process.