Environmental Engineering Research

Korean Society of Environmental Engineers (대한환경공학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

FUNDAMENTAL STUDY ON THE RECOVERY AND REMOVAL OF WHITE PHOSPHORUS FROM PHOSPHORUS SLUDGE

  • Published : 2005.02.28
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Electro-thermal production of white phosphorus(WP, P4) generates substantial amount of highly toxic phossy water and sludges. Because of their high phosphorus contents and lack of reliable processing technology, large tonnages of these hazardous wastes have accumulated from current and past operations in the United States. In this study, two different methods for treatment of phosphorus sludge were investigated. These were bulk removal of WP by physical separation(froth flotation) and transformation of WP to oxyphosphorus compounds by air oxidation in the sludge medium. Kerosene, among other collectors, resulted in selective flotation of WP from the associated mineral gangue. Solvent action of kerosene occurring on the WP surface(by rendering WP particles hydrophobic) might produce the high selectivity of WP. The WP recovery in the froth was 79.3% from a sludge assaying 34.2% of WP. In the oxidation study, air gas was dispersed in the sludge medium by the rapid rotation of the impeller blades. The high level of sludge agitation intensity caused a fast completion of the oxidation reactions and it resulted in the high percentage conversion of WP to PO4-3 with PO3-3 making up almost all portion of oxyphosphorus compounds. The WP analysis on the treated sludge showed that supernatant solution and solid residue contained an average of 4.2 μg/L and 143 ppm respectively from the sludge containing about 26 g of WP. Further investigation will be required on operational factors to better understand the processes and achieve an optimum condition.

Keywords

References

  1. Davidson, K. A., Hovtter, P. S., and Sigmon, C. F., Water quality criteria for white phosphorus, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Final Report ORNL-6336. DE88-000645, NTIS ADA186613, (1987)
  2. U. S. EPA, Summary review of health effects associated with elemental and inorganic phosphorus compounds: Health issue assessment. EPA 500/89/072. Washington, D> C.: Office of Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (1989)
  3. Campbell, D. L., Oxidation of phossy water by ozone, Technical report, ARCSL- TR77060, Chemical systems laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD., pp. 1-19 (1977)
  4. Koon, J. H., Davis, G. M., and Knowlson, P. D., 'Development of a wastewater management system for an elemental phosphorus production plant,' Proceedings, The 35th Industrial waste conference, Purdue University, pp. 550-559 (1980)
  5. Barber, J. C., Processes for the disposal and recovery of phossy water, U. S. Patent 5,549,878 (1996)
  6. Crea, D. A., Recovery of phosphorus from waste ponds, U. S. Patent 4,492,627 (1985)
  7. Beck, S. M. and Cook, E. H., Phosphorus recovery from phosphorus-containing pond sludge, U. S. Patent 4,717,558 (1988)
  8. Richardson, S. M. and Weston, R. F., 'White phosphorus contamination of wetlands: Effects and options for restoration,' in Proceedings of the Federal Environmental Restoration, Vienna, VA, April, pp. 186-189 (1992)
  9. Anazia, I., lung, J., Removal of Elemental Phosphorus from Electric Furnace Sludge Using Froth Flotation, first year progress report, Mineral Waste Treatment and Recovery Generic Center, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV. October (1989)
  10. Walsh, M. E., 'Analytical method for white phosphorus in water,' Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 54(3), 432-439 (1995)
  11. Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of chemical technology, 4th ed. New York, NY Raven Press, pp. 164 (1994)