Apatite-staffelite ore flotation efficiency improvement using two-stage slurry thickening

The studies were performed suggesting that the cause of P2O5 losses during apatite-staffelite ores (ASO) treatment are due to non-selective flocculation of fine classes during flotation. When using strong flocculants, special preparation of condensed slurries is necessary, ensuring their deflocculation before the flotation process. A scheme and mode of preparation of fine classes for the flotation process have been developed, including thickening of the classification overflows using strong anionic flocculants and deflocculation of the thickened product before the flotation process with reagents-dispersants used in the basic flotation mode. A mode of preparation of slimes of ASO ores for flotation is proposed, including thickening of the discharge of the classification operation using the anionic flocculant “Praestol-2540”, conditioning of the condensed product with additions of liquid glass and caustic soda in a ratio of 1 : 1, dilution and re-thickening of deflocculated slimes, consolidation and flotation thickened sludge and sand. The big laboratory tests have shown that the application of the developed regime provides a total increase in the extraction of P2O5 from ore from 70,1 to 71,5 % with an increase in the P2O5 content in apatite concentrate from 37,1 to 37,8 %, which makes the developed technology promising for processing refractory ASO at Kovdorsky GOK.

Basites of Vilyui-Markhinsky dike belt (Vilyui paleorift) and their relations with Nakyn field kimberlites

The Vilyui-Markhinsky dike belt (VMDB), which was formed as a result of Devonian rifting on the eastern margin of the Siberian Platform, is the marginal part (area of scattered rifting) of the Vilyui paleorift structure. The Nakyn field is located in the central part of the belt, but is controlled by an independent system of NNE-trending tectonic faults. The belt dyke intrudes the Nyurbinskaya kimberlite pipe. On their contact, specific breccias were formed resulting from the interaction between degassing products of basic magma with kimberlites. The typical zonality of the dyke endocontact indicates a later dyke introduction. Dolerite dikes thermally metamorphosed breccias in which high-temperature neoplasms of andradite, Al-lizardite, and clinochrysotile were generated. VMDB basites represent a single association, in which two series of rocks are distinguished: moderate-titanium (TiO2 ~ 2.5 wt. %) with normal alkalinity and low P2O5 content, and high-titanium (TiO2 ~ 4.4 wt. %), occasionally with moderate alkalinity. The differences in the dike composition are insignificant and are the result of natural variations in the composition of individual bodies. 40Ar/39Ar dating of the VMDB basites, the method characterized by the best results convergence, shows that they formed in a narrow timeframe corresponding to the Upper Frasnian – Famenian stage of the Upper Devonian (368.5 to 376.3 Ma). The location of the Nakyn field basites and kimberlites is controlled by faults of various types, orientation and age. Kimberlites formed first, and VMDB intrusions followed.

Effect of Fe2O3 Content and Acid on the Leaching Behavior of Phosphorus from Dephosphorization Slag

Dephosphorization slag contains considerable quantities of valuable components, such as P2O5 and FeOx. To recover P from dephosphorization slag, selective leaching has been adopted to separate the P-concentrating mineral phase. In this study, the effect of Fe2O3 content in slag and acid on the leaching behavior of P from dephosphorization slag was investigated. It was found that a higher Fe2O3 content in slag resulted in a higher P2O5 content in the C2S–C3P solid solution. Increasing the Fe2O3 content in slag promoted the dissolution of P and simultaneously suppressed the dissolution of other elements, facilitating the selective leaching of P. In the hydrochloric acid solution, more than 81% of P could be dissolved from dephosphorization slag at pH 4, and the dissolution ratio of Fe was nearly zero, achieving excellent selective leaching. Although better selective leaching was also realized in the citric acid solution at pH 5, hydrochloric acid was considered the appropriate leaching agent from the perspective of leaching cost. Through selective leaching, almost all the C2S–C3P solid solution was dissolved from dephosphorization slag, and the Fe-bearing matrix phase and magnesioferrite remained in the residue. The residue with low P2O5 content can be reutilized in ironmaking or steelmaking processes.

Experimental and Theoretical Study of Radiation Shielding Features of CaO-K2O-Na2O-P2O5 Glass Systems

The gamma radiation shielding ability for CaO-K2O-Na2O-P2O5 glasses were experimentally determined between 0.0595 and 1.41 MeV. The experimental MAC results were compared with theoretical results obtained from the XCOM software to test the accuracy of the experimental values. Additionally, the effect of increasing the P2O5 in the glass composition, or reducing the Na2O content, was evaluated at varying energies. For the fabricated glasses, the experimental data strongly agreed with the XCOM results. The effective atomic number (Zeff) of the fabricated glasses was also determined. The Zeff values start out at their maximum (12.41–12.55) at the lowest tested energy, 0.0595 MeV, and decrease to 10.69–10.80 at 0.245 MeV. As energy further increases, the Zeff values remain almost constant between 0.344 and 1.41 MeV. The mean free path (MFP) of the fabricated glasses is investigated and we found that the lowest MFP value occurs at the lowest tested energy, 0.0595 MeV, and lies within the range of 1.382–1.486 cm, while the greatest MFP can be found at the highest tested energy, 1.41 MeV, within the range of 8.121–8.656 cm. At all energies, the KCNP40 sample has the lowest MFP, while the KCNP60 sample has the greatest. The half value layer (HVL) for the KCNP-X glasses is determined. For all the selected energies, the HVL values follow the order of KCNP40 < KCNP45 < KCNP50 < KCNP55 < KCNP60. The HVL of the KCNP50 sample increased from 0.996 to 2.663, 3.392, 4.351, and 5.169 cm for energies of 0.0595, 0.245, 0.444, 0.779, and 1.11 MeV, respectively. The radiation protection efficiency (RPE) results reveal that decreasing the P2O5 content in the glasses improves the radiation shielding ability of the samples. Thus, the KCNP40 sample has the best potential for photon attenuation applications.

Petro-mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of Shahaba Limestone from Gogi-Kanchankayi sector, Bhima Basin, Karnataka with reference to Uranium mineralisation

The Shahabad Limestone Formation of Bhima Basin from Gogi-Kanchankayi area occurs in heterogeneous forms like massive/blocky limestone, argillaceous/ siliceous limestone and laminated/ flaggy limestone. These limestones are primarily composed of micrite, which often alters into sparry calcite on diagenesis with associated impurities of quartz, feldspar, barite, chlorite, glauconite, sulphides and carbonaceous matter. Geochemically, these limestones comprises of variable CaO with low MgO and P2O5 content. Trace elements concentration shows elevated Ba, Rb and depleted Sr. The current study classified these limestones as non-dolomitic and non-phosphatic types deposited in shallow marine carbonate platform setting with low energy conditions. Post-sedimentation, basin tectonics has resulted in reactivation of the basin margin fault causing intense fracturing of limestone. Subsequent hydrothermal movement along those fractures has resulted in re-mobilisation and re-precipitation of sulphides and carbonaceous matter, and along with alteration has facilitated the precipitation of the uranium bearing minerals.

Leaching of Phosphorus from Quenched Steelmaking Slags with Different Composition

Separating P2O5 from steelmaking slag is the key to achieving optimum resource utilization of slag. If the P-concentrating 2CaO∙SiO2–3CaO∙P2O5 solid solution was effectively separated, it can be a potential phosphate resource and the remaining slag rich in Fe2O3 and CaO can be reutilized as a flux in steelmaking process. In this study, a low-cost method of selective leaching was adopted, and hydrochloric acid was selected as leaching agent. The dissolution behavior of quenched steelmaking slags with different composition in the acidic solution was investigated and the dissolution mechanism was clarified. It was found that the P dissolution ratio from each slag was higher than those of other elements, achieving an effective separation of P and Fe. The dissolution ratios of P, Ca, and Si decreased as the P2O5 content in slag increased. A higher Fe2O3 content in slag led to a lower P dissolution ratio. Increasing slag basicity facilitated the dissolution of P from slag. The residue mainly composed of matrix phase and the P2O5 content decreased significantly through selective leaching. The P dissolution ratio from slag was primarily determined by the P distribution ratio in the 2CaO∙SiO2–3CaO∙P2O5 solid solution and the precipitation of ferric phosphate in the leachate. The P-concentrating solid solution was effectively separated from quenched steelmaking slag, even though hydrochloric acid was used as leaching agent.

Mechanism and Influencing Factors of REY Enrichment in Deep-Sea Sediments

Deep-sea sediments with high contents of rare-earth elements and yttrium (REY) are expected to serve as a potential resource for REY, which have recently been proved to be mainly contributed by phosphate component. Studies have shown that the carriers of REY in deep-sea sediments include aluminosilicate, Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides, and phosphate components. The ∑REY of the phosphate component is 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than those of the other two carriers, expressed as ∑REY = 0.001 × [Al2O3] − 0.002 × [MnO] + 0.056 × [P2O5] − 32. The sediment P2O5 content of 1.5% explains 89.1% of the total variance of the sediment ∑REY content. According to global data, P has a stronger positive correlation with ∑REY compared with Mn, Fe, Al, etc.; 45.5% of samples have a P2O5 content of less than 0.25%, and ∑REY of not higher than 400 ppm. The ∑REY of the phosphate component reaches n × 104 ppm, much higher than that of marine phosphorites and lower than that of REY-phosphate minerals, which are called REY-rich phosphates in this study. The results of microscopic observation and separation by grain size indicate that the REY-rich phosphate component is mainly composed of bioapatite. When ∑REY > 2000 ppm, the average CaO/P2O5 ratio of the samples is 1.55, indicating that the phosphate composition is between carbonate fluoroapatite and hydroxyfluorapatite. According to a knowledge map of sediment elements, the phosphate component is mainly composed of P, Ca, Sr, REY, Sc, U, and Th, and its chemical composition is relatively stable. The phosphate component has a negative Ce anomaly and positive Y anomaly, and a REY pattern similar to that of marine phosphorites and seawater. After the early diagenesis process (biogeochemistry, adsorption, desorption, transformation, and migration), the REY enrichment in the phosphate component is completed near the seawater/sediment interface. In the process of REY enrichment, the precipitation and enrichment of P is critical. According to current research progress, the REY enrichment is the result of comprehensive factors, including low sedimentation rate, high ∑REY of the bottom seawater, a non-carbonate depositional environment, oxidation conditions, and certain bottom current conditions.

Geochemical Assessment and Mobility of Undesired Elements in the Sludge of the Phosphate Industry of Gafsa-Metlaoui Basin, (Southern Tunisia)

The raw phosphates in the Gafsa-Metlaoui phosphate basin are valorized by wet processes that are performed in the laundries of the Gafsa Phosphates Company (CPG, Gafsa, Tunisia) to reach market grades (>28% P2O5). This enrichment process allows the increase of P2O5 content by the elimination of the coarse (>2 mm) and fine (<71 µm) fractions. Mineralogical analysis has shown that all the investigated materials (raw phosphate, marketable phosphate, coarse waste, and fine waste) from the laundries of M’Dhilla-Zone L and Redeyef are both composed of carbonate fluorapatite, carbonates, quartz, gypsum, clays, and clinoptilolite. Chemical analysis shows that Cr, Cd, Zn, Pb, and U are concentrated in the fine wastes and associated with the clay–phosphate fraction. The rare earth elements are more concentrated in both raw and marketable phosphates. Drilling and sludge-water analysis, along with leaching tests conducted on the fine wastes, showed that, due to phosphate industry, cadmium, fluorine, and sulfate contributing to the pollution of water resources in the region, pollution is more conspicuous at M’Dhilla.

Thermal Beneficiation of Sra Ouertane (Tunisia) Low-Grade Phosphate Rock

Low-grade phosphate rock from Sra Ouertane (Tunisia) was beneficiated using a thermal treatment consisting of calcination, quenching, and disliming. Untreated phosphate rock samples (group 1), calcined phosphate rock samples (group 2), as well as calcined, quenched, and dislimed (group 3) phosphate rock samples, were investigated using inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Besides, the particle size distribution of the aforementioned three groups was determined. The proposed thermal treatment successfully increased the P2O5 content of the untreated phosphate rock from 20.01 wt% (group 1) to 24.24 wt% (group 2) after calcination and, finally, 27.24 wt% (group 3) after calcination, quenching, and disliming. It was further found that the concentration of relevant accompanying rare earth elements (Ce, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, and Y) was increased and that the concentration of Cd could be significantly reduced from 30 mg/kg to 14 mg/kg with the proposed treatment. The resulting phosphate concentrate showed relatively high concentrations in metal oxides: Ʃ MgO, Fe2O3, Al2O3 = 3.63 wt% and silica (9.81 wt%) so that it did not meet the merchant grade specifications of a minimum P2O5 content of 30 wt% yet. Removal of these elements could be achieved using additional appropriate separation techniques.

Distribution Behavior of Phosphorus in 2CaO·SiO2-3CaO·P2O5 Solid Solution Phase and Liquid Slag Phase

In this paper, the CaO-SiO2-FetO-P2O5 dephosphorization slag system during the premier and middle stage of the converter process was studied, the effect of slag composition on the distribution ratio and activity coefficient of P in the n·2CaO·SiO2-3CaO·P2O5 (recorded as nC2S-C3P) solid solution phase and liquid slag phase in the slag system was studied used by the high temperature experiment in laboratory, the theoretical calculation of thermodynamics, and the scanning electron microscope and the energy dispersive spectrometer (recorded as SEM/EDS). The research results show that when the FeO content in the liquid slag increases from 32.21% to 50.31%, the distribution ratio of phosphorus (recorded as LP) in the liquid slag phase increases by 3.34 times. When the binary basicity in the liquid slag increases from 1.08 to 1.64, the LP in the liquid slag phase decreases by 94.21%. In the initial slag, when the binary basicity increases from 2.0 to 3.5, the LP decreases by 70.07%. When FeO content increases from 38.00% to 51.92%, the LP increases by 6.15 times. When P2O5 content increases from 3.00% to 9.00%, the LP increased by 10.67 times. When the FeO content in the liquid slag increases from 32.21% to 50.31%, the activity coefficient of P2O5 in the liquid slag phase (recorded as γP2O5(L)) increases by 54.33 times. When the binary basicity in the liquid slag increases from 1.08 to 1.64, γP2O5(L) decreases by 99.38%. When the binary basicity increases from 2.0 to 3.5, the activity coefficient of P2O5 in the solid solution phase (recorded as γP2O5(SS)) in the solid solution phase decreases by 98.85%. When P2O5 content increases from 3.00% to 9.00%, γP2O5(SS) increases by 1.14 times. When the binary basicity decreases from 3.5 to 2.0, n decreases from 0.438 to 0.404. When the FeO content increases from 38.00% to 51.92%, n decreases from 0.477 to 0.319. When the P2O5 content increases from 3.00% to 9.00%, n decreases from 0.432 to 0.164. The decrease of binary basicity and the increase of FeO and P2O5 content in the initial slag can reduce the value of n and enrich more phosphorus in the solid solution phase. The results can not only provide a theoretical basis for industrial production, but also lay a theoretical foundation for finding more effective dephosphorization methods.