The present invention relates to recovery of industrial grade potassium chloride
and low sodium edible salt from bittern as part of an integrated process. The process
comprises, mixing low sulphate concentrated feed bittern (a by-product of salt
industry) of density 31.5 to 32.5 Be (sp.gr. 1.277-1.289) with high density
end bittern of density 36.5 to 37.5 Be (sp.gr. 1.336-1.35), thereby
producing low sodium carnallite, from which industrial grade potassium chloride
is produced. The resultant bittern is evaporated in forced evaporation system,
thereby producing crude carnallite, from which low sodium salt that would be beneficial
to persons suffering from hypertension is produced. When sulphate-rich bittern
is used, such bittern is desulphated with CaCl2 that is generated from
carnallite decomposed liquor through reaction with lime, and wherein low B2O3-containing
Mg(OH)2 is a by-product. The entire content of potassium in feed bittern
is recovered in the process of the invention.