Alternative Processes for Extraction of Phosphorus from Its Ores

3 Alternative Processes for Extraction of Phosphorus from Its Ores 

Apart from the widely used wet process for phosphoric acid (Chapter 5.2), several alternative processes for the extraction of P from its ores have been devised, although these have yet to become industrially important. 

Elemental phosphorus can be obtained by the reduction of other minerals such as the aluminous phosphates (Table 2.6), but owing to technical difficulties, these have not yet assumed any importance 

Although several extraction processes were worked out, tJieir economic viability was limited by price and availability of phosphate rock as well as other factors. According to a recent optimistic report, however, a new process, being worked out by an Australian company, should overcome previous limitations [15]. 

Toxic Element Concentrations in Typical Phosphate Rock and Soil (mg/kg) 

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