Process for producing sodium carbonate from trona ore

摘要

Disclosed is a process for the production of sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals from uncalcined trona ore. The process include contacting trona ore with a saturated sodium carbonate solution at a temperature of at least about 117 DEG C. to form a brine solution comprising anhydrous sodium carbonate crystals. The temperature of the brine solution is reduced to form sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals and the crystals are separated from the brine solution. The process can include maintaining the concentration of bicarbonate in the brine solution at a low level to promote the formation of only anhydrous sodium carbonate at temperatures above about 117 DEG C. and to promote the formation of sodium carbonate monohydrate at temperatures below about 109 DEG C.