Purification of Crude Phosphoric Acid and Leached Apatite by Solvent Extraction with CYANEX 923 in Kerosene

Abstract

CYANEX 923 (a mixture of four trialkylphosphine oxides) in kerosene has been used for the extraction of phosphoric acid. Different parameters affecting the extraction of phosphoric acid such as shaking time, temperature, phase ratio O/A, extractant and phosphoric acid concentration were separately investigated. The stoichiometry of the extracted species was found to be H₃PO₄.L, where L refers to CYANEX 923. The stripping of the extracted species was found to be efficient with water. The obtained results were used for the recovery of phosphoric acid from both the crude acid and the leached solution from digestion of apatite phosphate rock with hydrochloric acid. Expanded Perlite was found to be efficient for the adsorption of uranium from both crude acid and the leached apatite.