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Converting Phosphoric Rock to fertilizer
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Q. Our Company owns a large Phosphoric Rock deposit, we are searching for technology capable of converting natural phosphoric rock in fertilizer or any industrial product. We require simple technology, if anyone can help us please do it.
Javier Paz Soldan- Cochabamba, Bolivia, South America
-A. Hey Javier, When I was a chem student (early Jurassic) I visited an Allied Chem plant. They were using sulfuric acid to slowly leech phosphoric rock to make phosphoric acid. I hope you can find a higher end use for your rock.
Good Luck,
Fred Mueller, CEF
- Royersford, Pennsylvania
- A. Dear Javier: Perhaps the simplest means of using Rock Phosphate is to grind it very finely and apply it directly to the soil as an amendment. It generally tends to raise the pH of the soil at about one half as much as limestone. Rock Phosphate is used by Organic Gardeners as a source of Phosphorous instead of using Triple Super Phosphate and other such like fertilizers. It requires a long time to become effective in the soil but one application will still be releasing Phosphate for many years. The finer the grind, the faster the availability.
Sincerely yours,
Jerry Smith
- Paterson, New Jersey USA
August 15, 2011A. It's a lot simpler than that. Add Clinoptilolite (K+) to the rock phosphate along with manure or decaying material that produces ammonia. Clinoptilolite has an exceptional affinity for ammonia and in the presence of rock phosphate does a relatively rapid exchange reaction creating ammonium phosphate in the process.
James Williams
- Auburn, California USA
