Solution mining of trona or nahcolite ore with aqueous NaOH and HCl solvents

摘要

Separate deposits of trona or nahcolite ore are solution mined with two solvents, aqueous sodium hydroxide and aqueous hydrogen chloride. Aqueous sodium carbonate solution is withdrawn from the region of the NaOH-treated ore deposit, for recovery of soda ash. Aqueous sodium chloride brine is withdrawn from the region of the HCl-treated ore deposit and introduced to an electrodialysis cell to regenerate the two solvents and thereby continue the solution mining cycle.