Mining Minerals and Critical Raw Materials from Bittern: Understanding Metal Ions Fate in Saltwork Ponds

Sustainable recovery of critical elements from seawater saltworks bitterns by integration of high selective sorbents and reactive precipitation and crystallisation: Developing the probe of concept with on-site produced chemicals and energy

“…Additionally, two concentrations more were also studied for Ge(IV), 650 mg/L and 1000 mg/L. The concentration level of 200 mg/L was selected as it was estimated that this level would be achieved in the regeneration of the ion exchange resins after using them to treat the bittern (values reported by Vicari et al [39]). Na 2 SO 4 (s) was used as a precipitant for Sr (II), while for the rest of elements it was used 1 M NaOH.…”

“…alkalinity, Na(I), K(I), Ca(II), Mg(II), S(VI) and Cl(-I)), whereas there is no data regarding the TEs. Therefore, the Pitzer database was extended with values extracted from the literature in order to include them as reported by Vicari et al [39]. Furthermore, withdrawing of mineral phases that precipitate along the process was imposed.…”

“…It can be observed that Sr(II) concentration decreased as sulphate ions were added into the solution, which allowed recovering the 68 % of the initial content. PHREEQC simulations were carried out with the Pitzer package developed by Vicari et al[39], and it can be observed that the database fitted properly the experimental data. However, at the highest Na 2 SO 4 (s) dosages (>0.2 mol/L) several deviations between the model and experimental data were observed.Regarding Co(II) (Fig.2.b), it can be observed that Co(II) started to precipitate approximately at pH 8, and it completely precipitated at pH 11-12 (>99.99 %).…”