H. Gurbuz et al., RECOVERY OF POTASSIUM-SALTS FROM BITTERN BY POTASSIUM PENTABORATE CRYSTALLIZATION, Separation science and technology, 31(6), 1996, pp. 857-870
A new process for recovering the potassium content from bittern is dev
eloped in this study. In the process, the potassium content of bittern
is crystallized as potassium pentaborate octahydrate by the addition
of sodium pentaborate. The equilibrium conditions of potassium pentabo
rate octahydrate crystallization are examined as functions of the amou
nt and concentration of sodium pentaborate solution and temperature. I
t is found optimum crystallization conditions are at 15 degrees C by u
sing a sodium pentaborate solution saturated at 25 degrees C. At these
conditions about 65% of the potassium content can be easily recovered
as potassium pentaborate octahydrate, which is easily converted into
any desired potassium salt.