Abstract: A process is described for producing high purity phosphoric acid from phosphate rock including low grade phosphate rock material such as Idaho phosphate ores having P.sub.2 O.sub.5 contents as low as 20 percent. Finely divided phosphate rock, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid and water are charged to a mixing zone in proportions such that the pH of the resultant slurry is in the range 0.8 to 1.2 and the calcium ion content of the liquid phase of the slurry is in the range 3 to 4 percent by weight. Sulfuric acid is charged to the mixing zone in a quantity sufficient to convert the nonphosphate calcium compounds in the rock to calcium sulfate plus the quantity required to convert the contained calcium phosphate to monocalcium phosphate, phosphoric acidis charged to the mixing zone in quantities such that it is, on a molar basis, from about 1.2 to about 1.4 times the P.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods for removing fluorine values from fluorine-containing waste waters, in which aluminum ions are added to fluorine-containing waste water to convert fluorine to hydroxyfluoride complexes, adding phosphoric acid or phosphate and calcium compound are added to form fluoride apatite with residual fluorine in the waste water, and the hydroxy-fluoride complex and fluoride apatite are removed from the waste water.

Abstract: A process for purifying waste gypsum from the wet phosphoric acid process to a maximum fluorine content of 0.25 % by weight based on the anhydride, which comprises adding active silicic acid in two portions during the course of the phosphoric acid process, wherein at least half the total amount of silicic acid added is added during the decomposition of the crude phosphate and the remainder is added after the end of the decomposition but before the waste gypsum is filtered off, and the waste gypsum, after it has been filtered, is made into a suspension with water, separated from the liquid phase and dried.

Abstract: Phosphate rock is calcined under conditions calculated to completely oxidize the carbon and sulfur in the rock. Calcination is also conducted at elevated temperature to eliminate cadmium metal, a poisonous substance in fertilizers, from the calcined rock product. A fluid bed system for eliminating cadmium metal in the calcination of phosphate rock involves a two-vessel system in which an independent cadmium removal vessel served by a separate fluidizing air stream carries out volatilization of cadmium, while preheating, precalcining and cooling is conducted in another multi-bed reactor which is served by a separate fluidizing air stream.

Abstract: In the process according to the invention, raw phosphate rock is decomposed with an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid and ammonium sulfate recycled from the conversion step of phosphogypsum into chalk, and then the decomposition liquor stream is divided into a partial acid plant stream (Liquor I) to be converted into phosphoric acid and a partial fertilizer plant stream (Liquor II) to be processed to a multi-component mineral fertilizer. From the acid plant stream (Liquor I) constituting up to 30 per cent by weight of the total decomposition stream, ammonium sulfate is precipitated and introduced into the fertilizer plant stream (Liquor II), all the above mentioned processes of decomposition, separation and precipitation being carried out continuously.

Abstract: A process for thermally-degrading the thermally-degradable organic matter contained in spent sulfuric acid by condensing steam in the spent acid for a time sufficient to degrade the thermally-degradable organic matter, the steam being at a pressure exceeding the vapor pressure of said spent acid. Treated sulfuric acid is useful in the production of wet process phosphoric acid by a novel process. Spent sulfuric acid containing non-degradable organic matter can be used in a mixture with the treated sulfuric acid.

Abstract: Production of phosphoric acid by the wet process and by-product calcium sulphate hemihydrate. Sulphuric acid reacts with phosphate rock in such conditions that gypsum is precipitated, the resulting slurry is transferred to a second vessel in which the conditions are such that the gypsum recrystallises to calcium sulphate hemihydrate. Calcium sulphate hemihydrate so produced may be converted to cement and sulphuric acid by a process analogous to the anhydrite process for production of sulphuric acid. The phosphoric acid produced may be desulphated in a process integrated with the phosphoric production.

Abstract: Novel feed grade calcium phosphate compositions are provided which contain calcium chlorophosphate in varying amounts. This novel composition and other heretofore known varieties of feed grade calcium phosphates are prepared by low temperature drying steps (spray drying or crystallization-evaporation) of solutions or slurries which have been partially defluorinated to the extent that the solution P/F ratio is at least 30-35 but less than 100. The novel compositions described above have adequate levels of phosphorus availability to animals thereby permitting their usage as an animal feed supplement.

Abstract: The anti-scaling effect of additives added to control the formation of scale during the washing of calcium sulphate anhydrite or hemihydrate crystals is increased when the additives are added as soon as possible after the wash liquors leave the crystals. The invention is of especial use in the washing of calcium sulphate hemihydrate produced during the production of phosphoric acid and is carried out by adding the additives via the central valve of the rotating pan filter on which the hemihydrate crystals are washed.

Abstract: In the purification of wet process phosphoric acid by solvent extraction, there is employed an organic solvent partially miscible with water, e.g. isobutanol. By using such a solvent containing about 40 to 50 % less than the saturation level of dissolvable water, the rate of extraction is improved and the formation of gels is avoided. It is preferred that the temperature during the extraction state be maintained substantially constant.

Abstract: A method of producing phosphorus-containing fertilizers, wherein the phosphate raw stock is treated with a mineral acid selected from the group, consisting of phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid and a mixture of both. The thus-obtained suspension of the phosphorus-containing fertilizers is acted upon by acoustic vibrations at a frequency of from 500 to 20,000 Hz and a second energy density of from 0.5 to 5 W/cm.sup.2, whereupon the end product is isolated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacture of wet process phosphoric acid wherein phosphate rock and sulfuric acid are separately added to a combination reactor and cooler unit at a rate of addition such that the increase in calcium content and sulfate content in the slurry contained in the unit are small. Circulation of the slurry is provided and the rate at which sulfuric acid and phosphate rock are added is small compared to the rate of circulation of the reactor slurry.

Abstract: When phosphate rock and sulfuric acid are mixed under such conditions that gypsum dihydrate is stably formed and sulfuric acid is added to the phosphate rock in an amount not exceeding the amount equivalent to a calcium component in the phosphate rock, small masses of the reaction product between the phosphate rock and sulfuric acid can be maintained in the non-disintegrable form throughout extraction of phosphoric acid from said reaction product, and phosphoric acid can be extracted from such reaction product at a high rate in a good yield.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing wet process phosphoric acid by calcining a phosphate source at a temperature in the range of 1600.degree. - 2200.degree.F. The phosphate source may be wet or dry mined phosphate matrix, phosphate slimes, phosphate pebble or other phosphate source.