Investigation of the Process of Purification of Wet-Process Phosphoric Acid and Production of Concentrated Phosphoric Fertilizers Based on it

Abstract

Fluoride compounds have the most harmful effects on the environment. The main source of fluoride in the soil is phosphorus-containing fertilizers. Purification of wet-process phosphoric acid (WPPA) from fluorine will significantly reduce its content in phosphorous-containing fertilizers and improve the quality of the resulting products. The aim of the study is to reduce the content of fluorine and sulfates in the wet-process phosphoric acid by introducing calcium carbonate, dolomite or phosphorite into the finished extraction pulp before filtration and obtaining high-quality calcium and magnesium-containing phosphate fertilizers based on it. Phosphates were determined by differential photometric, fluorine – ionometric, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, and iron-complexometric, and sulfates-by weight methods. For the first time, scientifically-based data were obtained on the simultaneous reduction of the content of fluorine and sulfates in WPPA from phosphorites of Central Kyzylkum and the production of calcium-magnesium phosphate fertilizers based on it. Optimal technological parameters of the process of simultaneous defluorination and desulfatation of  WPPA from Central Kyzylkum phosphorites with calcium carbonate, dolomite and washed burnt phosphoconcentrate (WСPC) were found by introducing them into the second section of the extractor, into the finished extraction pulp in the amount of 100% for sulfate binding and 100-150% for fluorine binding, as well as obtaining high-quality products based on purified WPPA. The degree of transition of fluorine to the gas phase and phosphogypsum at a rate of 100-150% of calcium oxide for fluorine binding is 86.2-89.4% and its content in the wet-process phosphoric acid decreases from 1.18% to 0.22-0.29%. At the same time, the SO3 content in the acid decreases from 1.21% to 0.24-0.26%. The filtration rate of the sulfate-phosphate pulp varies slightly and is 807.6-812.6 kg/m2·h by dry residue.