Water Management in Phosphoric Acid: A Processes Comparison

Theys, Tibaut; Lierde, Nicolas Van; Wavreille, Alexandre

doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2016.02.106

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Having a direct impact on the phosphate recovery rate, the double crystallization processes reduce co-crystallization of P in phosphogypsum and its water content from close to 20% to 6% thus giving a very good example for the interdependency of resource efficiency and waste management. In addition, these processes do not cause a conflict of interest-they just require revamping phosphoric acid plants with some moderate investment [30].…”

Section: Circular Principles and Resource Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Phosphorus Processing—Potentials for Higher Efficiency

Hermann¹,

Kraus

Hermann³

2018

Sustainability

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Abstract:In the aftermath of the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement (COP21) by virtually all United Nations, producing more with less is imperative. In this context, phosphorus processing, despite its high efficiency compared to other steps in the value chain, needs to be revisited by science and industry. During processing, phosphorus is lost to phosphogypsum, disposed of in stacks globally piling up to 3-4 billion tons and growing by about 200 million tons per year, or directly discharged to the sea. Eutrophication, acidification, and long-term pollution are the environmental impacts of both practices. Economic and regulatory framework conditions determine whether the industry continues wasting phosphorus, pursues efficiency improvements or stops operations altogether. While reviewing current industrial practice and potentials for increasing processing efficiency with lower impact, the article addresses potentially conflicting goals of low energy and material use as well as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a tool for evaluating the relative impacts of improvement strategies. Finally, options by which corporations could pro-actively and credibly demonstrate phosphorus stewardship as well as options by which policy makers could enforce improvement without impairing business locations are discussed.

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Section: Circular Principles and Resource Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%