ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Prediction and study of the industrial performances of phosphate rock before valorization to phosphoric acid

Mehdi Abdelouahhab, Slimane Manar, and Rachid Benhida

Department of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences. Green Process Engineering (CBS.GPE), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir, Morocco

E-mail: abdelouahhab.mehdi@um6p.ma

Received: 23 August 2023  Accepted: 25 November 2023

Abstract:

The reaction between apatite and sulfuric acid, which produces soluble phosphoric acid and insoluble phosphogypsum, is the main reaction taking place in a phosphoric acid plant. Nevertheless, there are side reactions’ involving some desirable and undesirable impurities. The present paper aimed to study and evaluate the performances and behavior of four grades of mineral phosphates coming from four different Moroccan mining sources (Khouribga, Youssoufia, Benguerir, and Bucraa) before their valorization to phosphoric acid via the wet dihydrate process. In the logic of preventing impurities’ impact and acting at source according to the first principle of green chemistry and using ratios established by different authors, the main effects of some impurities such as F⁻-ions, CO₂, SiO₂, SO₃, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, MgO, K₂O, and Na₂O on phosphoric acid process performances (reactivity, sulfuric acid-specific consumption, phosphoric acid viscosity, foam formation, filterability, fouling, and corrosion) were identified and extensively investigated through leaching tests. Additionally, a practical thermal balance was established and showed that impurities could contribute 32% of the total heat released during the attack of apatite and consume 33% of dedicated sulfuric acid.

Keywords: Phosphate; Ratios; Leaching; Performances; Phosphoric acid process

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-023-03234-z

Chemical Papers 78 (4) 2247–2262 (2024)