A multi-pond system and method is disclosed for separating sodium carbonate from sodium chloride in process purge streams from soda ash production or similar facilities. The system comprises a first pond, exposed to atmospheric environment, for receiving the process purge stream and allowing deposition of sodium carbonate in accord with phase chemistry as water is evaporated and temperatures change thereby creating a liquor with increased sodium chloride concentration. A second pond for receiving the first pond liquor, exposed to the atmospheric environment, and allowing deposition of sodium chloride in accord with phase chemistry as water evaporates and temperatures change thereby creating a second pond liquor with increased sodium carbonate concentration. Alternatively transferring at least a portion of the second pond liquor back to the first pond or into an optional third pond.

The present invention relates to a method for treating salt-containing dusts which accumulate during operation of industrial plants, e.g. in waste incineration plants, or during operation of rotary kilns, e.g. in cement production plants or clinker production plants. The method comprises a step a) of forming an aqueous solution by bringing salt-containing dusts into contact with an aqueous phase; a step b) of removing heavy metals from the aqueous solution; and a step c) of separating alkali metal chlorides from the aqueous solution; and the bringing of salt-containing dusts into contact with an aqueous phase in step a) is achieved by means of a multi-stage arrangement through which the salt-containing dusts and the aqueous phase pass in opposite directions.

The present invention relates to a method for treating salt-containing dusts which accumulate during operation of industrial plants, e.g. in waste incineration plants, or during operation of rotary kilns, e.g. in cement production plants or clinker production plants. The method comprises a step a) of forming an aqueous solution by bringing salt-containing dusts into contact with an aqueous phase; a step b) of removing heavy metals from the aqueous solution; and a step c) of separating alkali metal chlorides from the aqueous solution; and the bringing of salt-containing dusts into contact with an aqueous phase in step a) is achieved by means of a multi-stage arrangement through which the salt-containing dusts and the aqueous phase pass in opposite directions.

The invention generally relates to methods of removing potassium, rubidium, and/or cesium, selectively or in combination, from brines using tetrafluoroborates. Also disclosed are methods of producing potassium, rubidium, and/or cesium chlorides using ionic liquids and exchange media. This invention also generally relates to treated geothermal brine compositions containing reduced concentrations of silica, iron, and potassium compared to the untreated brines. Exemplary compositions of the treated brine contain a concentration of silica ranging from about 0 mg/kg to about 15 mg/kg, a concentration of iron ranging from about 0 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg, and a concentration of potassium ranging from about 300 mg/kg to about 8500 mg/kg. Other exemplary compositions of the treated brines also contain reduced concentrations of elements like rubidium, cesium, and lithium.

The invention generally relates to methods of removing potassium, rubidium, and/or cesium, selectively or in combination, from brines using tetrafluoroborates. Also disclosed are methods of producing potassium, rubidium, and/or cesium chlorides using ionic liquids and exchange media. This invention also generally relates to treated geothermal brine compositions containing reduced concentrations of silica, iron, and potassium compared to the untreated brines. Exemplary compositions of the treated brine contain a concentration of silica ranging from about 0 mg/kg to about 15 mg/kg, a concentration of iron ranging from about 0 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg, and a concentration of potassium ranging from about 300 mg/kg to about 8500 mg/kg. Other exemplary compositions of the treated brines also contain reduced concentrations of elements like rubidium, cesium, and lithium.