Abstract
Wastes produced from the phosphate industry presents many challenges due to the high economic and environmental impacts involved with their disposal. However, the relative scarcity of high-grade phosphate ores has driven researchers to recover and recycle these valuable wastes (secondary sources). The goal of this study was to investigate the possibility of upgrading the P2O5 content in tailings produced from a phosphorous production plant using direct froth flotation. Characterization assays, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and mineral liberation analysis (MLA), were first conducted to identify the mineralogical and morphological characteristics of tailings samples and grain properties to better understand the behavior of the flotation feed. Flotation experiments were conducted using Denver D-12 in a 1-L flotation cell in the presence of sodium silicate (dispersant) and sodium oleate (collector). Several parameters, such as the solids content of the flotation pulp, pulp pH and flotation time, were investigated to optimize the recovery and grade of the concentrate products. Results obtained from this study indicated that the P2O5 content in plant tailings could be upgraded from 21.57% to 28.4% at >73% recovery.
Highlights
Phosphorous is an essential element that occurs at 1000–1300 ppm in the earth crust
This study investigated upgrading the P2 O5 content in tailings produced from a phosphate production plant located in the USA by froth flotation
These included sodium oleate, which was used as a collector, methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC), which was used as a frother, sodium silicate, which was used as a dispersant, and sodium carbonate (Na2 CO3 ), which was used to adjust the pH of the flotation pulp
Summary
Phosphorous is an essential element that occurs at 1000–1300 ppm in the earth crust. Phosphorus is used in many applications, such as in the production of fertilizers, detergents, and pharmaceuticals and in other industrial processes [1,2]. Due to its high reactivity, phosphorus does not exist by itself in nature. Phosphorus is typically present as phosphates, i.e., inorganic salts of phosphoric acid. The grade of phosphate ores is expressed as phosphorus pentoxide (P2 O5 ), which is a major precursor for the production of phosphorous-based fertilizers.
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