Phosphate Rock Grinding Technology for Maximum Efficiency

What is phosphate rock?

Phosphate rock, also known as phosphorite, is a sedimentary rock containing high concentrations of phosphate minerals. The main component of natural phosphate rock is Ca5(PO4)3F.

Here are the physical properties of phosphate rock:

Element: Phosphate minerals are primarily composed of the elements phosphorus (P), oxygen (O), and other elements such as calcium (Ca), fluorine (F), and chlorine (Cl).

Color: Phosphate rock ranges in color from light to dark, including brown, green, gray, and black.

Hardness: Phosphate rock hardness is generally low, and the Mohs hardness is 5-5.5.

Density: Phosphate rock is generally less dense than metallic minerals, with a range of 1.5-3.5 g/cm³.

Luster: Phosphate rock luster can be dull to submetallic, depending on the mineral content.

How is phosphate rock formed? It forms through the accumulation of organic remains, such as marine organisms and plants, in ancient oceanic environments.

Over time, these organic materials accumulate on the seafloor, forming organic debris and sediments. Subsequent mineralization into phosphate rock within the sedimentary layer.

Where is phosphate rock found?

The distribution of phosphate rock resources in the world is extremely uneven, and the total global reserves of phosphate rock are about 71 billion metric tons.

Morocco (approximately 50 billion tons) has more than 70% of the phosphate rock reserves, becoming the country with the largest phosphate rock reserves in the world.

Although China ranks second, its absolute reserves are relatively small, with basic reserves of about 3.7 billion tons, accounting for only about 5% of the global total. Followed by Egypt, Algeria, Brazil, South Africa, the United States, etc.

How to grind phosphate rock successfully?

Phosphate rock powder obtained through phosphate rock processing is a valuable raw material. The entire phosphate rock processing process includes crushing, screening, grinding, and collection.

1 Phosphate rock crushing

The mined phosphate ore (350-1.200 mm) is conveyed by the vibrating feeder to the jaw crusher for coarse crushing, and then sent to the cone crusher for fine crushing and shaping.

2 Phosphate rock screening

After being screened by a vibrating sieve, the phosphate rock meeting the input particle size (15-45 mm) is waiting to be sent to the mill. The phosphate rock that does not meet the particle size is returned to the cone crusher for crushing again.

3 Phosphate rock grinding

Phosphate rock in small pieces (<45 mm) is sent to the storage hopper by the elevator, and then evenly sent to the mill room by the feeder for grinding. The ground material is classified by the classification system.

4 Phosphate rock collecting

Phosphate rock powder that meets the fineness will enter the dust collector with airflow for separation and collection. The collected finished powder is sent to the finished product silo by the conveying device through the discharge port.

What is phosphate rock powder used for?

Agricultural use

The main use of rock phosphate powder is in agriculture, where it is a key raw material for fertilizer production.

Phosphate rock powder is not only rich in phosphorus, but also contains a variety of trace elements, such as zinc, copper, manganese, and so on. It can meet the needs of plants for these elements, increase the phosphorus content of the soil, and promote the growth and development of plants.

Types of phosphate fertilizers:

Diammonium Phosphate (DAP): DAP is a widely used granular fertilizer. It provides plants with essential nutrients for optimal growth and development.

Monammonium Phosphate (MAP): Similar to DAP, MAP is another important fertilizer that contains both phosphorus and nitrogen. It is suitable for crops with high phosphorus requirements.

Triple Superphosphate (TSP): TSP is produced by reacting phosphate rock with sulfuric acid. It is a high-phosphorus fertilizer, used for crops with limited phosphorus availability in the soil.

Industrial use

Ground phosphate rock powder can be used in various industrial applications.

Phosphoric acid production: Phosphoric acid is a vital industrial chemical. Phosphate rock powder is treated with sulfuric acid to produce phosphoric acid, which is used in the production of fertilizers, food additives, and more.

Water treatment: Phosphate rock powder is used in water treatment processes to remove contaminants like heavy metals by forming insoluble precipitates.

Metallurgy: Phosphate rock serves as a fluxing agent in metallurgical processes, helping to lower the melting point of metals during smelting.

Building materials use

Phosphate rock powder is an important raw material of building materials. It can be used to produce phosphate cement, phosphate glass, phosphate ceramics, and other products.

Phosphate rock powder can be used in the construction industry to improve the properties of concrete and other building materials. Phosphate rock can contribute to the binding and strength of cement mixes.

Conclusion

Phosphate rock is a resource with great potential and has multiple uses in different industries. From fertilizing phosphate fields to promoting industrial progress, phosphate rock powder grinding technology is the key.

The phosphate rock is crushed, screened, ground, and collected to obtain phosphate rock powder.