Numerical Modelling of Dissolving and Driving Exploitation of Potash Salt in the Qarhan Play a—A Coupled Model of Reactive Solute Transport and Chemical Equilibrium in a Multi‐component: Underground Brine System

Abstract

AbstractFirstly, the macroscopic chemical equilibrium state of a series of chemical reactions between intercrystal brine and its media salt layer (salt deposit) in Qarhan Salt Lake was studied by using the Pitzer theory. The concept of macroscopic solubility product and its relation with accumulated ore dissolving ratio were presented, which are used in the numerical model of dissolving and driving exploitation of potassium salt in Qarhan Salt Lake. And secondly, with a model forming idea of transport model for reacting solutes in the multi‐component fresh groundwater system in porous media being a reference, a two‐dimensional transport model coupled with a series of chemical reactions in a multi‐component brine porous system (salt deposits) was developed by using the Pitzer theory. Meanwhile, the model was applied to model potassium/magnesium transport in Qarhan Salt Lake in order to study the transfer law of solid and liquid phases in the dissolving and driving process and to design the optimal injection/abstraction strategy for dissolving and capturing maximum Potassium/Magnesium in the mining of salt deposits in Qarhan Salt Lake.