Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: T009
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.T009
Published online: 22 April 2026
Process performance and impurity migration in wet phosphoric acid production from phosphate rocks of different origins
Urszula Ryszko*1, Piotr Rusek2 and Dorota Kołodyńska3
1 Analytical Laboratory, Łukasiewicz Research Network–New Chemical Syntheses Institute, 13A Tysiąclecia Państwa Polskiego Ave., 24-110 Puławy, Poland
2 Fertilizers Research Group, Łukasiewicz Research Network–New Chemical Syntheses Institute, Tysiąclecia Państwa Polskiego Ave., 24-110 Puławy, Poland
3 Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie–Skłodowska University, 2 M. Curie Skłodowska Sq., 20‑031 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: urszula.ryszko@ins.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
Wet phosphoric acid (WPA) is a key intermediate in mineral fertilizer production and an essential component of global phosphorus management. The efficiency of production and the quality of the product obtained strongly depend on the physicochemical properties of the phosphate rocks (PRs) used as the feedstock. This study examines WPA production at pilot scale using PRs from Algeria, Syria, Israel, and Morocco.
The process was carried out in a pilot-scale installation using 95% H2SO4 under optimized conditions, enabling evaluation of reaction efficiency, P2O5 recovery, and washing efficiency. A comprehensive approach combining full-process material balance with detailed mineralogical, morphological, and chemical characterization of PRs and phosphogypsum (PG) was employed. The Element Transfer Factor (ETF) was used to assess the distribution of elements between the liquid (WPA) and solid (PG) phases. Significant differences in process performance were observed, with reaction efficiency ranging from 34.5% to 85.8% and P2O5 recovery ranging from 89.4% to 94.7%. The highest WPA concentration (27.2 wt.% P2O5) was obtained with Moroccan-PR, while Israeli-PR exhibited the highest reactivity due to its fine particle size, though it exhibited filtration limitations. Phosphate rocks with finer particles showed enhanced dissolution kinetics, whereas coarser fractions improved filtration behaviour, indicating the need to balance reactivity and separation efficiency. Element transfer analysis revealed distinct partitioning between the WPA and PG phases, highlighting the role of mineral composition and process conditions in controlling impurity distribution and element partitioning.
The results demonstrate that both geological origin and particle size distribution of PR significantly affect process efficiency, element migration, and filtration performance. The integrated approach applied in this study provides a robust framework for optimizing WPA production, improving impurity control, and supporting more sustainable phosphorus processing.
Keywords: pilot scale installation; phosphate rock; phosphogypsum; wet phosphoric acid
How to cite
Ryszko U., Rusek P., Kołodyńska D., 2026. Process performance and impurity migration in wet phosphoric acid production from phosphate rocks of different origins. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.T009