Utilization of brines at the Stebnyk SMChP " Polymineral" with the aim to manufacture common salt and potash mineral fertilizers

Long exploitation of potash mines in the western region of Ukraine (Stebnyk, Kalush) led to accumulation of large quantity of brines underground ( 3mln.m3), of K, Na, Mg and microelements.. This was caused by surface water infiltration ( rainfall) and storage on the surface due to its annual pumping out. Somehow or other this unwanted and almost uncontrolled process resulted in formation of big resources of raw material for obtaining valuable products of common salt and K, Mg - fertilizers. Investigations and world-wide practice of salt making show that raw material of such kind can be essentially improved when the salt formation is made purposeful with the aim to increase concentration of valuable components particularly potash containing constituents which will consequently result in potassium and magnesium sulphate content raise in the fertilizer.
Work carried out by the Scientific and Research Institute of Halurgy and Institute for Mining and Chemical Industry (PJSC " GIRHIMPROM") rove that the brines can be utilized to obtain salts which are in short supply, medical grade and fertilizers among them, and to improve environmental situation in the region.
Establishing a brine processing enterprise is , perhaps, the only way to further exploitation of potash deposits which are under threat of being flooded.
The technological process which is offered is environmentally safe and consists in evaporation of excess water followed by salt crystallization.
Evaporation of brine can be carried out by electric heating. This ensures high efficiency ( as much as 96%) of electric energy use , no emissions and products purity.
Electric power consumption is 490 kWHr/t of brine which equals to 1820 kW Hr/t of product ( common salt or K, Mg-fertilizer). Table salt obtained as per the standards adopted meets the high and first grade quality specifications, K,Mg-fertilizer is on the level of well -known kalimag.
Approximate expenditure for setting up a line with a production capacity of 20000t kalimag and 50000 t of common salt is 500000 Grv, payback period -one year.