A method can, in one general aspect, include steps for the recovery of
potassium sulfate and mirabilite from glaserite. In another general
aspect, a method includes dissolving glaserite in water at an elevated
temperature to produce a saturated or nearly saturated solution, and
cooling the solution to a temperature where potassium sulfate and
mirabilite will crystallize from the solution as stable phases. In yet
another general aspect, a method includes adding glaserite to a saturated
solution of glaserite in water and mixing for enough time at a
temperature where the glaserite will decompose into potassium sulfate and
mirabilite as stable phases. In yet another general aspect, a method
includes separating potassium sulfate from mirabilite using a froth
floatation process.