Beneficiation of salts crystallized from Lake Katwe Brine

Abstract

A salt extraction process to enhance the quality and quantity of salt produced at Lake Katwe in Uganda is presented. To validate the designed process, laboratory experiments were conducted. The techno-economic analysis of the process flow sheet was modeled and simulated by SuperPro Designer. Halite of purity >98% was obtained by floating burkeite and trona which co-precipitate with it during evaporation. The other feasible products of the process are soda ash and sodium sulfate. With a net present value of US$25,077,817, the proposed process is economically viable. Keywords: Salt Extraction, Lake Katwe, Sodium Chloride, Soda Ash, Sodium Sulfate, SuperPro Designer