The Bowen Saltworks is located on the Bruce Highway at the town's entrance, it commenced operations in 1925.
Salt production at the Bowen Saltworks involves seawater being pumped from a tidal creek onto a broad expanse of low-lying land which is impermeable to water. The land used for solar evaporation is about 154 hectares. Most of the area is comprised of a series of interconnected ponds through which seawater continually passes as it evaporates.
At the stage of which salt crystals are starting to form the brine is pumped into specially prepared crystallizers. As long as evaporation exceeds rainfall a crust of salt grows on the bottom. In a good year, the crust can be 150mm thick.
Once harvestered the salt is washed in a concentrated brine to remove the impurities. After about a year the salt is crushed to the correct grain size for use in many industries. Most out put goes to rural suppliers where it is incorporated for feeding stock. It is also used in swimming pools, meat products and salting hides.
The plant is classed as a 15,000 tonne field but has harvastered up to 29,000 tonnes. Back to top The Bowen Saltworks is located on the Bruce Highway at the town's entrance, it commenced operations in 1925.
Salt production at the Bowen Saltworks involves seawater being pumped from a tidal creek onto a broad expanse of low-lying land which is impermeable to water. The land used for solar evaporation is about 154 hectares. Most of the area is comprised of a series of interconnected ponds through which seawater continually passes as it evaporates.
At the stage of which salt crystals are starting to form the brine is pumped into specially prepared crystallizers. As long as evaporation exceeds rainfall a crust of salt grows on the bottom. In a good year, the crust can be 150mm thick.
Once harvestered the salt is washed in a concentrated brine to remove the impurities. After about a year the salt is crushed to the correct grain size for use in many industries. Most out put goes to rural suppliers where it is incorporated for feeding stock. It is also used in swimming pools, meat products and salting hides.
The plant is classed as a 15,000 tonne field but has harvastered up to 29,000 tonnes. Back to top |