Phosphoric acid manufacture from phosphate matrix
AssigneeSwift Agricultural Chemicals Corporation
InventorsRobert A. Wilson, David J. Raden
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Abstract
Phosphate ora matrix is treated to recover P.sub.2 O.sub.5 values. The matrix may be the phosphate ore as it is mined, or it may be residue formed upon dewatering benefication slimes. Without being subjected to beneficiation, this matrix is slurried with an organic solvent in a slurry vessel. When the slurry is mixed with a strong mineral acid, a system having a single liquid phase is formed with the organic solvent serving as a vehicle for distribution of the mineral acid which in turn solubilizes P.sub.2 O.sub.5 values for their extraction from the matrix. Thereafter the P.sub.2 O.sub.5 values are separated from the solid phase and then removed from the organic solvent.
Claims10
A method for recovering P.sub.2 O.sub.5 values directly from phosphate matrix, comprising mixing unbeneficiated phosphate matrix with a methanol solvent in an amount such that the weight ratio of methanol solvent to matrix is within the range of about 0.6 to 1 to about 2 to 1, so as to form a slurry of said matrix and a single liquid phase comprising said methanol solvent, adding sulfuric acid to said slurry, said sulfuric acid reacting with the matrix in the slurry to extract P.sub.2 O.sub.5 values from the matrix and into the liquid phase of the slurry, said liquid phase being primarily P.sub.2 O.sub.5 values and methanol, and separating the liquid phase from the solid phase of the slurry.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.