Approximation of Magnesium Concentration by Refractive Index Measurements in Evaporating Brines of Great Salt Lake, Utah

Abstract

The successful recovery of salts or a concentrated brine from the Great Salt Lake requires monitoring the composition of the brine as it concentrates and precipitates salts. Because the present monitoring methods have certain limitations, an alternate procedure was investigated to determine brine concentrations. By use of a refractometer, we found that the index of refraction of a concentrating or saturated brine has a high degree of correlation with its magnesium ion concentration. This procedure is presently being employed by two lake industries and it may be applicable to other brine systems.