The Eighth Jordan International Chemical Engineering Conference (Jichec 2017) November 7-9, 2017
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The Eighth Jordan International Chemical Engineering Conference (JIChEC 2017) November 7-9, 2017 Optimization of phosphogypsumby-production using orthophosphoricacid as leaching solvent with different temperatures and leaching times Tayel El-Hasan1*; Nafeth Abdelhadi2 and Monther Abdelhadi3 1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mu’tah University, 61710, Al-Karak – Jordan; [email protected]; Mobile:0799915463; Fax:+962-3-2375540 * Corresponding author 2 Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, Jordan 3 Faculty of Engineering, American University of Madaba, Jordan 1 The Eighth Jordan International Chemical Engineering Conference (JIChEC 2017) November 7-9, 2017 phosphate and thus considerable Abstract–Phosphoric acid production calcium well remain in solution. generates unavoidable calcium sulfate byproduct (i.e. phosphogypsum (PG)) Keywords: Phosphogypsum; Jordan, that is usually disposed either within a Sulpheric acid; Orthophosphoric acid; nearby-located gypsum stacking system. However nowadays this type P2O5extraction of industry has been faced with two I. Introduction main problems, these are the formation of huge stockpiles ofphosphogypsum Jordan has huge reserves of phosphate that affects the environment due to the deposits, the main deposits existed in presence of harmful radiations that is the southern region of the country [1,2] emitted from the uranium. In addition it contains P O >1.0 wt% and fluorine (Bender, 1974; Khaled and Abed 2 5 >0.18 wt%,which makes it not suitable 1980). The concentrations of trace for the cement industry. At the same elements such as U, V, Cd, Cr, and As time consuming large quantity of are increasing from south to north, for expensive sulphuric acid thatbecomea hazardous waste material too. The example, U ranged from 40–60 to 70– production rate of PG verses 80 mg/kg)for samples from Esh- marketable P2O5 as acid in the world is Shidyia and Al-Hisa mines, high as much as 5 tons of PG are produced for each ton of P O ; in respectively [3, 4] (Jordanian 2 5 Jordan the rate is around 5.0 – 5.3 ton Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) of PG per ton of P2O5 produced 1998; Khaled et al. 1990). [5] Ghosheh depending on the phosphate rock composition. This means a huge and Dodeen (1993) had showed that amount of PG will accumulateat the other heavy metals and toxic elements fertilizer plant in Aqaba. The major in the Jordanian phosphate rocks are advantage of using orthophosphoric lower compared with several acid, as leaching solvent isthe decreasing of the residual materials phosphate deposits from the world;[6] verses marketable P2O5to be589 kg Al-Hwaiti et al. (2001). [7] Abed et al. /ton of P2O5 produced, compared with 2008; found that potential toxic metals 5.0 – 5.3 ton ofdisposed PG/ton of P2O5produced through current behaves as P and are enriched by a practices. These results obtained by factor of more than 1.5 in the utilizing the wet agitation leaching diammonium phosphate (DAP) technique; however, this alternative technique resulted in lowerP O compared with the input phosphorite. 2 5 extraction, but decrease in bulk of the In addition, that the trace metal content residue. The only disadvantage is the in the PG is very low. However, U higher dissolution of calcium sticks to the mineral francoliteduring 2 The Eighth Jordan International Chemical Engineering Conference (JIChEC 2017) November 7-9, 2017 acid and Hemihydrate phase upgrading of the ores, and behaves (CaSO4.1/2H2O) [13] (EFMA 2000). similar to Ca and P2O5[8] (Abed 2011). The most common technique used in The phosphate industry is one of the the world for production of phosphoric most contaminating sources to the acid from the phosphate rock environment, which contributes to soil; comprises from reacting the phosphate water and air pollution [9] rock with concentrated sulphuric acid (Vandenhove, 2002).Al-Hisaphosphate solutions as in the following equation: mines are heavily affecting the Ca3 (PO4)2 + 3H2SO4 + 2H2O → particulate matter in the areas around 2H3PO4+ CaSO4.2H2O (gypsum) the mines, [10] Hamaiedah and El- Contaminated gypsum which also Hasan(2011). The utilization of known as PG, CaSO4.2H2O that is effluent mine water from the Eshidiya formed as coproduced in the phosphate mines in agricultural uses production of phosphoric acid by the was investigated; it was categorized as wet- process. Unfortunately, the ratio C4S1–C4S2type, which indicates that of PG verses marketable P2O5 as much this water cannot be used for irrigation as 5 tons of PGproduced for each ton on any type of soil [11] (Al-Hwaiti et of P2O5. Therateiscontrolled by the al. 2016).Similarly, [12] Jiries et al. composition of the phosphate rock. In (2004)has investigated the effluent Jordan the ratio is around 5.0-5.3 ton water from Al-Hisa and Al-Abyad of PG/1.0 ton P2O5 produced [13] mines.Moreover,they found that it can (JPMC2008). be used for irrigation of salt-tolerant Many environmental issues raised by plants. such waste disposal problem, so it is According to the European Fertilizer estimated that over 40 million tons of Manufacturing Association (EFMA), PG was produced and accumulated in there are two phosphoric acid Aqaba area by Jordan Phosphate Mines production processes; the first, at Company Ltd., (JPMC) during the temperature 70 -80 °C that yields 26- period 1982 – 2008. The JPMC 32% P2O5, and gives acid and annualdisposal isapproximately 2.2 dehydrated phase (CaSO4.2H2O). The million tons of dehydrate PG and 1.0 second, at temperature 90 - 110 °C, million tons of hemihydrate. The which yields 40-52% P2O5, and gives problem is accentuated by the fact that 3 The Eighth Jordan International Chemical Engineering Conference (JIChEC 2017) November 7-9, 2017 which indicates that trace elements the PG, in most of the technologies were not leached from the stacks in employed in the wet-process any significant amount. production of phosphoric acid, contains a number of serious An associated problem is the contaminants such as radioactivity due production of sludge produced in the to the presence of uranium, fluoride, neutralization of gypsum pond water heavy metals besides sulphuric and by liming. The sludge produced is phosphoric acids and their salts. The another solid waste, which is a mixture problem is further worsened by the of complex compounds of phosphates large volume of PGpond water that is and fluorides and is disposed of on the used in most plants for scrubbing gypsum stacks. pollutants.Whereas, [8] Abed (2011) Some technologies attempted at suggested that Uranium is concentrated minimizing the pollutants in the PG. in the final phosphoric acid. Nabulsi (1999) [23] used one of these The PG is found to be radioactive due attempts. He carried out several tests to the presence of naturally occurring on specimens that were prepared from uranium and radium in the phosphate the PG in Jordan; the results showed ore [15] (Dippel, 2004). Thus, PG is that it could be used as a gypsum classified as a hazardous waste and is binder in the building industry. It can currently being disposed and be also for producing precast units of stockpiled on sandy soil [16 - 18] low density and acceptable thermal (Berish, 1990; Azouazi et al., 2001; insulation properties. However, the Dueñas et al., 2007). There are various problem here is the radioactivity that storage processes of PG wastes, such still presents in the tested PG samples. as ocean disposal [19] (Wissa, 2001), Other attempt was done by Industrial dry stacking on land, which is the Chemistry Center in Royal Scientific common practice [20] (EPA 1999), and Society. The team in the center wet stacking on basins [21] (Anon, prepared several samples from PG that 1998), as well as the use of PG as mine brought from JPMC-Industrial backfill disposal as suggested by [15] Complex in Aqaba-Jordan and (Dippel, 2004). [22] Al-Hwaiti et al. washing these samples up to five times (2005) reported that trace elements in using Tap water and sea water to the PG stacks are stable with time, 4 The Eighth Jordan International Chemical Engineering Conference (JIChEC 2017) November 7-9, 2017 Other possibilities exist, but yet not reduce the impurities that present in the considered economically, for example tested PG samples such as H3PO4, HF, the production of sulphuric acid from H2SO4 and P2O5. The results of the PG or use it in cement clinker. At washing revealed that the P2O5 content the same time, the expensive sulphuric decreased 13%, but the SO4 increased acid raw material consumed will in the tested samples. produce a large pile of waste material Abdelhadi et al. (2014) [24] ; (e.g. PG) near the plant considered as demonstrated experimentally the use of another problem facing the production raw PG without treatment (heating) in of phosphoric acid by using the cement production, which will sulphuric acid and phosphate ore. The eliminate a serious environmental estimated amount of sulphuric acid that source of pollution; besides, decreases consumed is about 2.7 ton /1.0 ton of the cost of cement production. P2O5 produced.Rabba (1993) [34] had Smadi et al. (1999)[25] studied the carried out a metallurgical test work on behavior of the compressive strength the phosphate shale copper ore of cement with different replacement (Cambrian) atWadi Khalid, at northern ratios of purified (PG) and calcined Wadi Araba region. He concluded that temperature up to 900 °C, he found an the most sufficient and economic acid increasing trend in compressive should be used for extraction the strength which improved the initial and copper and P2O5 from the ore is the final setting time. Bhadauria&Thakare phosphoric acid to avoid the formation (2006) [26] utilized the PG wastes in of PG.