Abstract: The invention discloses a method of solution mining trona by injecting an aqueous solvent into an underground cavity comprising trona to dissolve trona in the aqueous solution and removing the aqueous solution from the cavity at about the WTN triple point (the temperature at which solid phase wegscheiderite, trona, and nahcolite can co-exist in an aqueous solution). Alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution are recovered to produce a barren liquor. The method further includes either (i) treating the barren liquor to produce an aqueous solvent or (ii) treating injected aqueous solvent to reduce clogging at the trona dissolution surface caused by supersaturation of sodium bicarbonate, and precipitation of nahcolite and wegscheiderite as the aqueous solution in the cavity approaches saturation of both dissolved sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of solution mining trona by injecting an aqueous solvent into an underground cavity comprising trona to dissolve trona in the aqueous solution and removing the aqueous solution from the cavity at about the WTN triple point (the temperature at which solid phase wegscheiderite, trona, and nahcolite can co-exist in an aqueous solution). Alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution are recovered to produce a barren liquor. The method further includes either (i) treating the barren liquor to produce an aqueous solvent or (ii) treating injected aqueous solvent to reduce clogging at the trona dissolution surface caused by supersaturation of sodium bicarbonate, and precipitation of nahcolite and wegscheiderite as the aqueous solution in the cavity approaches saturation of both dissolved sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate.

Abstract: Process for the joint production of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate crystals, according to which: a solid powder derived from sodium sesquicarbonate, having a mean particle diameter comprised between 0.1 and 10 mm is dissolved in water; the resulting water solution is introduced into a crystallizer, wherein a first water suspension comprising sodium carbonate crystals is produced; the first water suspension is subjected to a separation, in order to produce crystals comprising sodium carbonate on the one hand, which are valorized, and a mother liquor on the other hand; and a part of the mother liquor is taken out of the crystallizer and put into contact in, a gas liquid contactor, with a gas comprising carbon dioxide, in order to produce a second water suspension comprising sodium bicarbonate crystals, which are separated and valorized. A reagent powder comprising sodium bicarbonate crystals made by such process.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a zinc oxide powder including synthesizing a mesoporous zinc oxide precursor powder by adding an aqueous solution of zinc chloride to an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate while agitating to cause precipitation of a mesoporous zinc carbonate powder wherein the molar ratio of zinc chloride to sodium carbonate present when the aqueous solution of zinc chloride and the aqueous solution of sodium carbonate are reacted is at least 1:2, heat treating a mesoporous zinc precursor material to form the mesoporous zinc oxide powder at a heat treatment temperature in the range of 250-575° C. The zinc oxide powder includes mesoporous zinc oxide aggregates with a plurality of primary zinc oxide crystallites bonded together at shared interfaces.

Abstract: A system for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from a flue gas is provided. The system includes a carbonator, and a calciner. The carbonator receives the flue gas and lean sorbent particles such that the lean sorbent particles absorb gaseous carbon dioxide from the flue gas and become loaded sorbent particles. The calciner includes a drum that defines a cavity having a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is fluidly connected to the carbonator such that the loaded sorbent particles flow into the cavity from the carbonator. The drum rotates such that at least some of the loaded sorbent particles are mixed with heat-transferring particles so as to release the absorbed gaseous carbon dioxide and exit the drum via the second opening as lean sorbent particles.

Abstract: In a process to produce sodium carbonate, a first production solution comprising sodium carbonate is introduced into less basic compartments of an electrodialyzer comprising alternating less basic and more basic adjacent compartments separated from each other by cationic membranes, the more basic compartments being delimited by anionic faces of bipolar membranes on one side and by the cationic membranes on the other side; a second production solution comprising sodium carbonate is introduced into the more basic compartments of the electrodialyzer; a solution comprising sodium hydroxide is produced into the more basic compartments by combination of sodium ions flux sodium ions crossing the cationic membrane and hydroxyl ions flux crossing the anionic face of the bipolar membranes, and is then extracted from the electrodialyzer to be used as a reaction solution; and the reaction solution is reacted with sodium bicarbonate in order to form a produced solution comprising sodium carbonate.

Abstract: A process for the production of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate out of trona, comprising crushing trona ore and dissolving it in a leaching tank containing a solution comprising sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, and an additive selected from the group consisting of: phosphates, phospholipids, carboxylates, carboxilic acids, and combinations thereof, saturated in sodium bicarbonate, in order to produce solid particles suspended in a production solution comprising sodium carbonate, the solid particles containing insoluble impurities and at least 65% by weight of sodium bicarbonate. The solid particles are separated from the production solution containing sodium carbonate. At least part of the production solution containing sodium carbonate is taken out of the leaching tank.

Abstract: A process for producing sodium bicarbonate from a sodium carbonate bearing stream (A) comprising sodium carbonate and an alkaline metal salt impurity at a concentration Ci(A), comprising: a) mixing the stream (A) with part of a stream (B), b) bicarbonating the resulting mixed stream with a gas comprising CO2 to produce an aqueous suspension comprising sodium bicarbonate crystals (F), c) separating the sodium bicarbonate crystals (F) from the aqueous liquor (G), d) partly debicarbonating at least part of (G) and removing part of the water of (G) to obtain the stream (B) with the salt impurity at a concentration Cf(B), e) recycling part of the stream (B) to step a) so that the ratio of the concentrations Cf(B)/Ci(A) of the impurity is at least: 1.4, and f) removing the remainder (I) of the stream (B) or the remainder (J) of the liquor (G) to be further processed.

Abstract: A method for removing sulfide from an aqueous alkali solution in which hydrogen peroxide is introduced into a sulfide-containing aqueous alkali solution associated with an alkali mineral recovery operation. The method is particularly useful for the processing of sulfide-containing aqueous alkali solutions containing NaHCO3 and Na2CO3, where bicarbonate in the sulfide-depleted alkali solution is decomposed to form Na2CO3, with concurrent evolution of gaseous carbon dioxide byproduct but without formation of gaseous H2S as a pollutant, and where Na2CO3 values are subsequently recovered from the sulfide-depleted carbonate-rich alkali solution via a crystallization operation.

Abstract: A process for the joint production of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate out of trona, comprising: introducing and dissolving crushed trona ore in a leaching tank containing a solution comprising sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, saturated in sodium bicarbonate, in order to produce solid particles suspended in a production solution comprising sodium carbonate, the solid particles containing insoluble impurities and at least 65% in weight of sodium bicarbonate; separating the solid particles from the production solution containing sodium carbonate; drying and valorizing the separated solid particles; taking at least part of the production solution containing sodium carbonate out of the leaching tank in order to constitute a produced solution which is valorized; and introducing water in the leaching tank.

Abstract: An aqueous solution containing an alkali metal compound solute and organic compound contaminants may be treated with ozone to oxidize and/or dissolve the organic contaminants. Treating the aqueous solution with ozone may decrease color contaminants in the alkali metal compound and may also decrease foaming in subsequent crystallization of the alkali metal compound.

Abstract: The invention uses evaporites, e.g., from dried prehistoric lake beds to sequester carbon. The invention provides a method of sequestering carbon comprising: (a) dissolving crude naturally formed evaporites in water to form dissolved evaporite cations and anions; (b) contacting aqueous dissolved carbonate or bicarbonate, formed by dissolving carbon dioxide in water, with the dissolved evaporite cations to form precipitated carbonate mineral; and (c) sequestering the precipitated carbonate or bicarbonate mineral.

Abstract: A method of producing trona suitable for flue gas desulfurization comprising mechanically mining a trona ore deposit containing insoluble impurities; crushing the mined trona ore to create a mixture of uncalcined trona-rich particles and impurities-rich particles; beneficiating the crushed uncalcined trona ore to obtain a trona-rich, impurities-depleted ore fraction; and drying the trona-rich ore fraction under non-calcining conditions to yield a dry uncalcined trona ore. A preferred embodiment includes concurrently milling and drying the trona-rich, impurities-depleted ore fraction to recover a low moisture content trona product having a high NaHCO3:Na2CO3 ratio, useful for the efficient dry injection desulfurization of flue gas streams.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for solution mining of evaporite minerals, such as trona, comprising drilling an access well and at least two lateral boreholes; injecting a fluid; circulating the fluid through the lateral boreholes with a controlled fluid flow; and collecting a pregnant solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity at a temperature sufficient to maintain at least a portion of the solution in the cavity in the Wegscheiderite solid phase region; removing aqueous solution from the cavity; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity; removing aqueous solution from the cavity, wherein the temperature of the removed aqueous solution is at about the TWA point temperature; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution.

Abstract: A process for beneficiation of trona includes supplying a trona feedstream that is crushed and dried. The trona is then separated into a first size fraction and a second size fraction. Impurities are removed from the first size fraction using at least one magnetic separator. The magnetic separator includes a plurality of stages. Each stage includes a conveyer system including a first end, a second end, and a conveyer belt. Each stage also includes a magnetic roller disposed at the second end of the conveyer system and a splitter disposed adjacent the second end of the conveyer system for separating a fraction of magnetic impurities from the trona to create a beneficiated fraction. At least one conveyer belt is deionized. Airborne dust particles are removed from an area surrounding at least one conveyer system.

Abstract: An aqueous solution containing an alkali metal compound solute and organic compound contaminants may be treated with ozone to oxidize and/or dissolve the organic contaminants. Treating the aqueous solution with ozone may decrease color contaminants in the alkali metal compound and may also decrease foaming in subsequent crystallization of the alkali metal compound.

Abstract: A process is described for recovering sodium carbonate or other sodium-based chemicals from sodium-bearing streams, including in particular mine water, evaporative pond water and sodium carbonate decahydrate deposits, recycle and purge streams, and other waste streams. In the process sodium bicarbonate-bearing streams are decarbonized to reduce the sodium bicarbonate concentration in a combination with other sodium-bearing streams, resulting in a liquor suitable as feed to a sodium carbonate decahydrate or sodium carbonate monohydrate process. The sodium bicarbonate stream is combined in a mix tank with other sodium carbonate bearing streams where the concentration is adjusted to form a liquor suitable to feed a sodium decahydrate or sodium carbonate monohydrate evaporation/crystallization step. In the process the combination of the various sodium-bearing streams is decarbonized to below 3.

Abstract: A process for the production and recovery of crystalline sodium sesquicarbonate and of crystalline sodium carbonate monohydrate from aqueous liquors containing sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. The crystalline products may optionally be heated or calcined to produce soda ash. The process is particularly suited for the recovery of soda ash from aqueous minewater streams obtained from solution mining of subterranean trona ore deposits.

Abstract: Process for the joint production of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate crystals, according to which: Solid powder derived from sodium sesquicarbonate, having a mean particle diameter comprised between 0,1 and 10 mm is dissolved in water; The resulting water solution is introduced into a crystallizer, wherein a first water suspension comprising sodium carbonate crystals is produced; The first water suspension is subjected to a separation, in order to produce crystals comprising sodium carbonate on the one hand, which are valorized, and a mother liquor on the other hand; Part of the mother liquor is taken out of the crystallizer and put into contact in, a gas liquid contactor, with a gas comprising carbon dioxide, in order to produce a second water suspension comprising sodium bicarbonate crystals, which are separated and valorized

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for solution mining of evaporite minerals, such as trona, comprising drilling an access well and at least two lateral boreholes; injecting a fluid; circulating the fluid through the lateral boreholes with a controlled fluid flow; and collecting a pregnant solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity at a temperature sufficient to maintain at least a portion of the solution in the cavity in the Wegscheiderite solid phase region; removing aqueous solution from the cavity; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity; removing aqueous solution from the cavity, wherein the temperature of the removed aqueous solution is at about the TWA point temperature; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing sodium bicarbonate from trona containing sodium fluoride as an impurity comprising preparing a saturated solution of trona and filtering the trona solution to remove insoluble impurities; introducing carbon dioxide to the trona solution till the pH of the solution reaches the range of 7.5 to 8.75 and sodium carbonate in the trona solution is converted to sodium bicarbonate that precipitates; and recovering the precipitated sodium bicarbonate from the trona solution.

Abstract: The present invention is a trona concentrate and a process for floating gangue material from trona ore that comprises forming an emulsion, conditioning the trona ore at a high solids content in a saturated trona suspension, and then floating and removing the gangue material. The process for separating trona from gangue materials in trona ore can include emulsifying an oil in an aqueous solution to form an oil-in-water emulsion. A saturated trona suspension having a high solids content can also be formed having trona of a desired particle size. The undissolved trona in the saturated suspension can be conditioned by mixing the saturated suspension and the oil-in-water emulsion to form a conditioning solid suspension of trona and gangue material. A gas can be injected through the conditioning solid suspension to float the gangue material.

Abstract: A process related to sodium chemicals production, including the processing of bicarbonate containing solutions obtained by solution mining of trona, nahcolite or wegscheiderite reserves and the lake waters containing bicarbonates, includes the steps of purification, evaporation-decarbonation, crystallization, centrifuging, and drying.

Abstract: A method for solution mining nahcolite, capable of extracting nahcolite from geological formations lean in nahcolite comprising injecting high pressure water (which may include recycled aqueous solution of bicarb and sodium carbonate) at a temperature of at least 250° F. into the formation, dissolving nahcolite in the hot water to form a production solution and recovering the production solution. The invention also includes the processing of the production solution to provide sodium carbonate and, optionally, sodium bicarbonate, comprising: decomposing the sodium bicarbonate portion of the hot aqueous production solution to form a hot aqueous solution of sodium carbonate; evaporating water from the hot aqueous solution comprising sodium carbonate to form a concentrated solution of sodium carbonate; producing sodium carbonate monohydrate from the concentrated solution of sodium carbonate by crystallization; and dewatering and calcining the sodium carbonate monohydrate to produce anhydrous sodium carbonate.

Abstract: Pyrogenically prepared zinc oxide powder having a BET surface area of from 10 to 200 m2/g, which is in the form of aggregates, the aggregates being composed of particles having different morphologies, and 0-10% of the aggregates being in a circular form, 30-50% being in an ellipsoidal form, 30-50% being in a linear form and 20-30% being in a branched form. It is prepared by reacting a starting mixture containing zinc vapour, a combustible gas and steam or a mixture of steam and carbon dioxide in a flame with an oxygen-containing gas in an oxidation zone, cooling the hot reaction mixture in a quenching zone and separating the solid material from the gas stream, the amount of oxygen in the oxidation zone being greater than the amount necessary for the complete oxidation of the combustible gas and the zinc vapour. The zinc oxide powder can be used as a constituent of sun protection compositions for protection against UV radiation.

Abstract: Methods for heating a solid material comprising a granular material are provided. Dust is removed from the granular material before it is heated. The dust is injected into the exhaust gas from the heater. The heated dust is recovered and combined with the heated granular material.

Abstract: A method of producing sodium bicarbonate having a high degree of purity and obtaining a net reduction in effluent waste water, as compared to prior processes, when starting from trona ore is disclosed. The process entails utilizing the waste-water effluent stream from the conversion of trona ore to sodium carbonate as the feed for the conversion of sodium carbonate to sodium bicarbonate.

Abstract: A method for solution mining nahcolite, capable of extracting nahcolite from geological formations lean in nahcolite comprising injecting high pressure water (which may include recycled aqueous solution of bicarb and sodium carbonate) at a temperature of at least 250° F. into the formation, dissolving nahcolite in the hot water to form a production solution and recovering the production solution. The invention also includes the processing of the production solution to provide sodium carbonate and, optionally, sodium bicarbonate, comprising: decomposing the sodium bicarbonate portion of the hot aqueous production solution to form a hot aqueous solution of sodium carbonate; evaporating water from the hot aqueous solution comprising sodium carbonate to form a concentrated solution of sodium carbonate; producing sodium carbonate monohydrate from the concentrated solution of sodium carbonate by crystallization; and dewatering and calcining the sodium carbonate monohydrate to produce anhydrous sodium carbonate.

Abstract: A process for recovering sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals from solutions and mother liquors supersaturated in sodium bicarbonate concentration. Feed liquors containing higher levels of sodium bicarbonate than traditionally fed to a sodium carbonate decahydrate crystallizer are used to create a mother liquor within a sodium carbonate decahydrate crystallizer that is supersaturated with respect to sodium bicarbonate. Substantially pure sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals may be precipitated from the supersaturated mother liquor without substantially precipitation of sodium bicarbonate containing crystals.

Abstract: n the manufacture of sodium carbonate having increased CO2 uptakes the carbonation reaction to form sodium bicarbonate is enhanced by the addition of particular amounts of a cationic quaternary amine, selected from the family of dialkylethoxylated quaternary salts, benzylalkyl quaternary salts, or a combination of quaternary salts from these families, to treat the 25-30% by weight sodium carbonate liquor prior to filtration. The manufactured product yields a modified sodium carbonate liquor product that, when crystallized and converted to any anhydrous product, is more readily carbonated with CO2 in the production of sodium bicarbonate. The cationic additive reacts with organic materials in the sodium carbonate liquor to form solid polymeric by-products. Thus the treatment with a cationic compound is made prior to filtering the liquor. After filtering to remove the polymeric by-products and other solid materials, the liquor is evaporated or crystallized to produce a purified and modified sodium carbonate.

Abstract: A method for solution mining nahcolite, capable of extracting nahcolite from geological formations lean in nahcolite comprising injecting high pressure water (which may include recycled aqueous solution of bicarb and sodium carbonate) at a temperature of at least 250° F. into the formation, dissolving nahcolite in the hot water to form a production solution and recovering the production solution. The invention also includes the processing of the production solution to provide sodium carbonate and, optionally, sodium bicarbonate, comprising: decomposing the sodium bicarbonate portion of the hot aqueous production solution to form a hot aqueous solution of sodium carbonate; evaporating water from the hot aqueous solution comprising sodium carbonate to form a concentrated solution of sodium carbonate; producing sodium carbonate monohydrate from the concentrated solution of sodium carbonate by crystallization; and dewatering and calcining the sodium carbonate monohydrate to produce anhydrous sodium carbonate.

Abstract: A method for producing high grade soda ash from a solution mined brine containing sodium bicarbonate by processing the mine brine through a monohydrate crystallization step to the final product is described. The mine brine is treated to decompose and thereby convert sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate and to concentrate the sodium carbonate to a concentration such that a feed liquor is formed which is suitable for crystallizing sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals of high purity from the feed liquor. The sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals recovered from the process are converted to soda ash by known techniques.

Abstract: A method for converting sodium bicarbonate in a sodium carbonate monohydrate crystallization process to maintain a mother liquor composition in a sodium carbonate monohydrate crystallizer below the invariant point for the crystallizer for reducing or eliminating the cocrystallization of sodium sesquicarbonate crystals in the process. The mother liquor composition may be maintained below the invariant point by stripping carbon dioxide from a feed solution or from mother liquor recycled to the crystallizer.

Abstract: A process for producing sodium salts, which comprises adding solid sodium carbonate to a first aqueous solution containing sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate, to prepare a second aqueous solution, precipitating, separating and recovering from the second aqueous solution sodium sesquicarbonate crystals containing at least 50 mol % of the sodium hydrogencarbonate component contained in the second aqueous solution, and further recovering sodium carbonate from a mother liquor remaining after separating the sodium sesquicarbonate crystals from the second aqueous solution.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for the calcination of materials using low temperature heating and indirect heating for calcination. Also disclosed are a variety of processes for calcination of materials which have reduced emissions of pollutants compared to conventional processes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals by introduction of anhydrous sodium carbonate into a saturated sodium carbonate brine solution under conditions in which sodium carbonate monohydrate formation is favored. As the anhydrous sodium carbonate dissolves, the brine becomes supersaturated resulting in relief of supersaturation by formation of sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals. The process includes controlling supersaturation and its relief to achieve growth of existing sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals rather than nucleation and formation of new sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals. The resulting crystals are separated from insoluble impurities on a size separation basis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the production of sodium carbonate-anhydrate having a bulk density of at least 800 kg/m3, said process comprising: providing a suspension of solid sodium carbonate and/or solid sodium bicarbonate and/or solid double salts at least comprising one of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, in a mixture containing water and an organic, water miscible or partly water miscible solvent, which solvent influences the transition temperature below which sodium carbonate monohydrate is stable, whereby the type and the amount of solvent is selected in such way that the said transition temperature is below the boiling point of the said mixture of water and an organic, water miscible or partly water miscible solvent, in case sodium bicarbonate is present, converting the bicarbonate into carbonate, crystallising sodium carbonate anhydrate from said mixture at a temperature above the said transition temperature and below the said boiling point, and recovering the sodium carbona

Abstract: A process for the production of sodium carbonate monohydrate is disclosed. The process includes heating a feed stream containing trona and insoluble impurities in a calcining apparatus to a temperature of less than about 350° C. to form anhydrous sodium carbonate. The anhydrous sodium carbonate is contacted with a saturated sodium carbonate brine solution to form sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals. Sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals are separated from insoluble impurities.

Abstract: The formation of scale on equipment surface in contact with sodium alkali containing brines is inhibited by the addition of an alkylbenzene sulfonic acid or salt thereof to the brines.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting dilute brines of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate to form feed solutions from which sodium based chemicals may be recovered. The sodium bicarbonate in a dilute brine is neutralized and the brine then fortified with calcined trona to form a feed liquor concentrated in sodium carbonate from which sodium based chemicals may be recovered in a Monohydrate or other crystallization process.

Abstract: Process for producing sodium carbonate, according to which a sodium sesquicarbonate ore is successively calcined and dispersed in an aqueous solution substantially saturated with hydrated sodium carbonate and the resulting aqueous suspension is subjected to an aging, at the end of which an aqueous mixture of a powder comprising hydrated sodium carbonate crystals is collected. During the aging, a fine particle size fraction is extracted from the aqueous suspension and removed.

Abstract: A process for the production of soda ash by withdrawing an aqueous mining solution containing dissolved sodium carbonate and at least about 1 wt % sodium bicarbonate from an underground alkali source; stripping CO2 gas from the withdrawn aqueous mining solution, to convert sodium bicarbonate dissolved therein to sodium carbonate; co-crystallizing sodium carbonate monohydrate and sodium sesquicarbonate by evaporation of water from the CO2-stripped aqueous mining solution, without co-crystallization of anhydrous sodium carbonate, to form a slurry of crystalline solids in an aqueous liquor; recovering crystalline solids from the slurry; and calcining the recovered crystalline solids to produce soda ash.

Abstract: Process for producing sodium carbonate, according to which a sodium sesquicarbonate ore is successively calcined and dispersed in an aqueous solution substantially saturated with hydrated sodium carbonate and the resulting aqueous suspension is subjected to an aging, at the end of which an aqueous mixture of a powder comprising hydrated sodium carbonate crystals is collected. During the aging, a fine particle size fraction is extracted from the aqueous suspension and removed.

Abstract: A process for forming useful sodium salts by uniquely processing dilute brine solutions having sodium bicarbonate concentrations is disclosed. The dilute brine is reduced in sodium bicarbonate content to prevent precipitation of the sodium bicarbonate in subsequent crystallization of sodium carbonate decahydrate. The reduced brine is directed to a crystallizer operated to form pure sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals and a carbonate/bicarbonate containing mother liquor. The mother liquor is then recycled as a portion of said aqueous solvent to be used in the solution mining of the ore deposit.

Abstract: An improved method of purifying sodium carbonate from a natural source whereby a dissolved sodium carbonate product is treated with a cationic compound, such as a quaternary amine, to react with carbon-containing contaminants and filtering the product. The filtered modified sodium carbonate solution is then crystallized and dried. The modified sodium carbonate has a greater reactivity or uptake of carbon dioxide for the manufacture of sodium bicarbonate than conventional sodium carbonates.

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: An improved method of purifying sodium carbonate from a natural source whereby a dissolved sodium carbonate product is treated with a cationic compound, such as a quaternary amine, to react with carbon-containing contaminants and filtering the product. The filtered modified sodium carbonate solution is then crystallized and dried. The modified sodium carbonate has a greater reactivity or uptake of carbon dioxide for the manufacture of sodium bicarbonate than conventional sodium carbonates.

Abstract: A process for producing sodium salts, which comprises adding solid sodium carbonate to a first aqueous solution containing sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate, to prepare a second aqueous solution, precipitating, separating and recovering from the second aqueous solution sodium sesquicarbonate crystals containing at least 50 mol % of the sodium hydrogencarbonate component contained in the second aqueous solution, and further recovering sodium carbonate from a mother liquor remaining after separating the sodium sesquicarbonate crystals from the second aqueous solution.

Abstract: A process for the production of soda ash by withdrawing an aqueous mining solution containing dissolved sodium carbonate and at least about 1 wt % sodium bicarbonate from an underground alkali source; stripping CO2 gas from the withdrawn aqueous mining solution, to convert sodium bicarbonate dissolved therein to sodium carbonate; co-crystallizing sodium carbonate monohydrate and sodium sesquicarbonate by evaporation of water from the CO2-stripped aqueous mining solution, without co-crystallization of anhydrous sodium carbonate, to form a slurry of crystalline solids in an aqueous liquor; recovering crystalline solids from the slurry; and calcining the recovered crystalline solids to produce soda ash.

Abstract: A process for producing sodium salts, which comprises adding solid sodium carbonate to a first aqueous solution containing sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate, to prepare a second aqueous solution, precipitating, separating and recovering from the second aqueous solution sodium sesquicarbonate crystals containing at least 50 mol % of the sodium hydrogencarbonate component contained in the second aqueous solution, and further recovering sodium carbonate from a mother liquor remaining after separating the sodium sesquicarbonate crystals from the second aqueous solution.