DUAL-PURPOSE CHEMICAL DESALINATION PROCESS

The separation of sodium chloride from sabkha water was carried out us ing a chemical conversion approach. A sodium cation and chloride anion were converted into sodium bicarbonate, which is precipitated under e xperimental conditions, and ammonium chloride, which can be separated by crystallization, respectively. Concentrated brine solutions of 25% salt content were the feedstock used. In addition to partially desalte d water, chemical products of economic potential values were produced, namely soda ash and ammonium chloride. Utilization of the brine exit from MSF desalination plants as feed stock is another alternative.