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Diffusion-controlled dissolution of a binary solid into a ternary liquid with partially-molten zone formation

When an evaporite-forming lagoon is recharged with fresher water, unsaturated brine overlies solid salts. Solid dissolves diffusively. This paper presents a two-salt theoretical model of this process. The results suggest three engineering applications. Firstly, the precipitation explains “salting out”, which causes performance loss in solution mines. The analysis suggests parameters to tune to minimize salting out. Secondly, the model can predict performance of certain direct circulation solution mines. Thirdly, the model can predict performance of crystallization separation involving redissolution. The results are being followed-up by Plymouth and elsewhere including the rock and ice laboratory at UCL.