Inorganic Chemicals Industry ›› 2025, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (8): 35-40.doi: 10.19964/j.issn.1006-4990.2024-0493

• Research & Development • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Study on evaporation and salt crystallization law of deep brine containing potassium in Qinghai

ZHANG Lizhen1,2,3(), YI Yuejun1,2,3, SHI Lijie1,2,3, ZHANG Xiufeng1,2,3, MA Yameng1,2,3, TAN Xiumin1,2,3   

  1. 1.Zhengzhou Institute of Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources,CAGS,Zhengzhou 450006,China
    2.China National Engineering Research Center for Utilization of Industrial Minerals,Zhengzhou 450006,China
    3.Key Laboratory for Polymetallic Ores′ Evaluation and Utilization,Ministry of Natural Resources,Zhengzhou 450006,China
  • Received:2024-09-10 Online:2025-08-10 Published:2024-10-18

Abstract:

Potassium salt ore is a kind of strategic mineral resource which is in short supply.It is vital for the food security in China.In recent years,multiple deep brines containing potassium are found in the Chaidamu basin of Qinghai province.These brines have great development potential.To develope them,evaporation in the salt field must be carried out using the solar energy and wind energy.The preliminary separation and enrichment of the valuable components are achieved by evaporation in the salt field.Brine evaporation experiment and research on phase equilibrium and phase diagram are the essential basic work for evaporation in the salt field.So taking the deep brine in Qinghai province as the research object,the indoor evaporation experiment was carried out.The evaporation route and salt crystallization law of the brine were researched.The main parameters for controling the separation point of the potassium salt precipitation were determined.The experimental results showed that the crystallization route of the brine was consistent with the phase diagrams of Na+,K+,Mg2+//Cl--H2O system at 25 ℃ and K+,Ca2+,Mg2+//Cl--H2O system at 25 ℃.And the sequence of the mineral crystallization during evaporation was trace dihydrate gypsum,halite,carnallite and bischofite.When the brine density was in the 1.308~1.398 g/cm3 range,potassium of the brine was only precipitated in the form of carnallite mineral,and the precipitation stage was relatively concentrated.So it was beneficial to the processing and utilization of carnallite.The precipitation rate of potassium was 86.54% with potassium content of 9.80%.Trace elements of boron,bromine and lithium were enriched throughout the evaporation process.The contents of boron and bromine in the final tail brine were up to 2 279.60 mg/L and 832.92 mg/L.The two elements of the tail brine was significant for comprehensive utilization.The research result would provide a scientific basis for the later exploitation and utilization of the deep brine containing potassium.

Key words: deep potassium brine, evaporation, phase diagram, carnallite, salt crystallization

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