Thermodynamics of salt lake system: Representation, experiments, and visualization

A coherent, systematic approach for the determination of solid–liquid phase behavior of a multi‐component salt lake system for use in the synthesis of crystallization process is presented. It centers on the thermodynamics of such a salt lake system and integrates three interrelated activities—representation of the system phase behavior as a phase diagram/thermodynamic model, experimental determination of the necessary data and visualization of the relevant crystallization regions. To illustrate this approach, the thermodynamics of a simplified salt lake system Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+//Cl−, SO42− ‐H2O at 25°C and 1 atm was determined. The identification of process alternatives using the resulting phase diagram for recovering Li2SO4·H2O was also illustrated.