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Purification and production of inorganic fertilizers in solar ponds

Journal Article · · Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (USA)
; ;  [1]
  1. Universidad Complutense, Madrid (Spain)

The separation of sodium nitrate from caliche and potassium chloride from silvinita, and the obtention of potassium nitrate from double decomposition of sodium nitrate and potassium chloride in aqueous solution, using the differential solubility method, has been treated. The necessary energy for solving salts and heating solutions can be provided by the sun if solar ponds - of caliche, silvinita or a mixture of both ores - are built. It has been found that this solar pond application is feasible, and the cycling pond efficiency could be improved beyond the typical 20% at low operating temperatures. The amount of nitrate or chloride obtained per liter of solution depends on the temperature at the bottom of the pond, the ambient temperature and, especially, on their difference. Finally, pond stability is improved to the higher solubility of the salts used, and the pond of silvinita could be stable even if evolving to a saturation operational pond.

OSTI ID:
6300573
Journal Information:
Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (USA), Journal Name: Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (USA) Vol. 45:1; ISSN SRENA; ISSN 0038-092X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English