Method for extracting potassium bicarbonate from mineral mixtures

A system for extracting potassium bicarbonate from a mineral mixture, comprising:

• a crystallization unit configured to combine potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and magnesium carbonate trihydrate in an aqueous solution and cool the aqueous solution to form Engel's salt comprising potassium bicarbonate magnesium carbonate tetrahydrate;
• a separation unit configured to separate Engel's salt from the aqueous solution;
• and
• a leaching unit configured to leach Engel's salt with water to produce an aqueous potassium bicarbonate solution and magnesium carbonate trihydrate.

A method for producing potassium bicarbonate, comprising:

• forming Engel's salt comprising potassium bicarbonate magnesium carbonate tetrahydrate from a mixture of potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and magnesium carbonate trihydrate;
• separating Engel's salt from the mixture;
• and
• decomposing Engel's salt to yield an aqueous potassium bicarbonate solution.