Abstract: A solution mining process for recovering sodium values from an underground deposit of a sodium bicarbonate containing ore is disclosed. The process involves contacting the ore with an aqueous sodium carbonate-containing solution to produce a dilute brine which is stripped with steam to reduce the bicarbonate content and increase the carbonate content. The dilute carbonate/bicarbonate solution from the stripper is fed to a sodium carbonate decahydrate crystallizer to produce pure sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals and a mother liquor containing less than about 4% sodium bicarbonate.

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.

Abstract: A solution mining process for recovering sodium values from an underground deposit of a sodium bicarbonate containing ore is disclosed. The process involves contacting the ore with an aqueous sodium carbonate-containing solution to produce a dilute brine which is stripped with steam to reduce the bicarbonate content and increase the carbonate content. The dilute carbonate/bicarbonate solution from the stripper is fed to a sodium carbonate decahydrate crystallizer to produce pure sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals and a mother liquor containing less than about 4% sodium bicarbonate.

Abstract: A process for producing sodium carbonate and other sodium-based chemicals from an aqueous solution containing sodium bicarbonate by contacting an aqueous solution of a bicarbonate-containing composition with a gas that is predominately other than carbon dioxide in an amount and for a time adequate to cause a sufficient amount of carbon dioxide to leave the aqueous solution to reduce the amount of bicarbonate ion in the solution by converting the bicarbonate to carbonate as carbon dioxide leaves the solution and thereafter converting the remaining solution to other sodium salts.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for carrying, advancing and retracting a conveyor in a mine. The invention eliminates the need for separate storage of unused conveyor material and provides a conveyor which can be either advanced or retracted at will and while loaded and operating. The invention comprises a monorail fixed to the roof of a mining tunnel, an elongate truss assembly movably suspended from the monorail, and a conveyor carried by the truss assembly. The monorail defines the path of travel for the truss and the position of the conveyor can be advanced and retracted within the tunnel by advancing or retracting the truss along the monorail.