Patent ID: 8366793
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: B01D,C01B,C01D

Abstract:
1. A method for decarbonating a liquor, said liquor comprising carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and a desired alkali product, said liquor serving as a feed to a crystallization system for forming crystals of said desired alkali product, said crystallization system comprising a crystallizer, a crystallizer heater in a first circulation loop connected to said crystallizer, a circulation pump, and optionally a filter in a second circulation loop connected to said crystallizer or said crystallizer heater, the method comprising reacting two reactants, one of which comprises a carbonate compound, under conversion promoting conditions in a reactor to form a desired alkali product and CO performing at least one decarbonation technique selected from the group consisting of: a) passing a stripping gas through the liquor or a portion thereof to remove at least a portion of said CO b) increasing the temperature of said liquor by 5° F. or more, the step (b) being carried out prior to loading the liquor into the crystallizer, or while passing the liquor through the first circulation loop, through the second circulation loop, or through both; c) decreasing the pressure of said liquor, the step (c) being carried out prior to loading the liquor into the crystallizer, or while passing the liquor through the first circulation loop, through the second circulation loop, or through both; d) venting a condensing side of the crystallizer heater, while passing the liquor through the first circulation loop; and e) any combinations of two or more of these techniques.