Strontium Sulfate and Carbonate via Selective Brine Precipitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to efficiently produce high purity strontium carbonate from subterranean brines with low strontium concentrations and significant contaminants like barium and calcium, as they require high temperatures and generate undesirable by-products or fail to separate strontium from calcium and barium effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the precipitation of barium sulfate at ambient temperature using sulfate anions, followed by the precipitation of strontium sulfate and subsequent conversion to strontium carbonate, utilizing sulfate and carbonate reagents to achieve high purity strontium sulfate and carbonate from brines with low strontium concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the black ash process is used to produce strontium carbonate, then strontium carbonate can be produced from celestite, but high process temperatures (1000°C) are required and undesirable by-products (H2S, Na2S) are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter from high (1000°C in black ash process) to ambient temperature conditions. The patent achieves strontium carbonate production through a multi-step precipitation process using sulfate and carbonate reagents at ambient temperature, eliminating the need for high-temperature calcination while maintaining product purity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful by-products (H2S, Na2S) of the black ash process into beneficial outcomes by avoiding their formation entirely. The new method uses sulfate precipitation to remove barium and calcium impurities, followed by carbonate precipitation to form pure strontium carbonate, eliminating toxic gas emissions and solid waste disposal issues
2Manufacturing precision
If the direct conversion process is used to produce high purity strontium carbonate, then metathesis reaction can be performed, but medium or low-grade ores cannot be used as starting product without additional purification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the impurity removal process into distinct stages: first removing barium as barium sulfate, then removing calcium as calcium sulfate, and finally precipitating strontium carbonate. This segmented approach allows each impurity to be addressed separately with appropriate reagents, achieving high purity from lower-grade ores through systematic purification steps
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary impurity removal actions before the final strontium carbonate precipitation. By pre-removing barium and calcium impurities through sulfate precipitation, the subsequent carbonate addition directly yields high-purity strontium carbonate without requiring additional purification steps, effectively preparing the feedstock in advance
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional brine processing methods are used to produce strontium carbonate, then strontium can be recovered from brines, but effective separation of strontium from calcium and barium is difficult with low strontium concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses sulfate ions as an intermediary reagent to selectively precipitate barium and calcium from brine before strontium carbonate formation. The sulfate acts as a mediator that targets impurities first (forming insoluble BaSO4 and CaSO4), allowing strontium to remain in solution for subsequent carbonate precipitation, thereby achieving effective separation even at low strontium concentrations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical environment by controlling sulfate and carbonate ion concentrations to exploit solubility differences. By adjusting reagent addition sequences and concentrations, the process selectively precipitates different metal sulfates and carbonates based on their solubility products, enabling separation of strontium from calcium and barium in dilute brines
4Manufacturing precision
If mineral acid leaching is used in conventional processes to remove impurities, then some purification can be achieved, but undesirable by-products are generated and disposal is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces harmful acid leaching with beneficial precipitation chemistry using sulfate and carbonate reagents. Instead of generating acidic waste streams and soluble salt by-products requiring disposal, the new method produces insoluble sulfate and carbonate precipitates that can be easily filtered and washed, converting a harmful process into an environmentally friendly one while achieving equivalent or superior purification
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables the production of high purity strontium carbonate and sulfate from brines with low strontium concentrations, achieving purity levels of 99.99% by effectively separating strontium from barium and calcium without the need for mineral acid leaching or disposal of undesirable by-products.
Implementation Method 1
precipitating barium sulfate at ambient temperature using sulfate anions
Implementation Method 2
precipitation of strontium sulfate
Implementation Method 3
subsequent conversion to strontium carbonate, utilizing sulfate and carbonate reagents
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process to produce high purity strontium sulfate and strontium carbonate from subterranean brines. The present disclosure also relates to chemical precipitations of subterranean brines to isolate strontium from divalent cations, such as calcium and barium. Such precipitations include the use of sulfate and subsequent solids separations and washing of the precipitate. In a latter step in the strontium carbonate process, a metathesis reaction with a carbonate is performed upon the strontium sulfate to produce strontium carbonate while allowing optional recycling of the sulfate. An additional rinse with acid or water of the strontium sulfate may be performed prior to metathesis to increase the purity of the resulting strontium carbonate.