Phosphogypsum Processing Method

Abstract

The article provides the information on a new method of processing phosphogypsum (calcium sulfate) stacks into a conditioned gypsum binder substance. The authors present the results of the research on creating a technology for phosphogypsum processing with the application of electro-magnetic units for material processing. The developed way for phosphogypsum processing allows eliminating continuous accumulation of tons of environmentally dangerous wastes. In addition, it facilitates reducing harmful impurities’ content in the processed phosphogypsum to maximum permitted concentration. It provides for elimination of harmful impurities from washing water and allows water reuse which results in saving funds for the construction of expensive wastewater treatment facilities. The comparison of the developed phosphogypsum processing method with well-known national and foreign analogues showed that its cost-efficiency is 2-3 times higher; the area necessary for the plant is 4-5 times less; the energy consumption reduces by 1.5-2 times; the costs for phosphogypsum disposal is lower by 30-50 %; the technological line performance is by 1.5-2 times higher.