Melt suspension crystallization for purification of phosphoric acid

ABSTRACT A continuous melt suspension crystallization process has been presented for the purification of the phosphoric acid in this study, which is conducted in the cascade of a continuous mixed suspension and mixed product removal (MSMPR) crystallization and subsequent countercurrent solid–liquid contact in a gravity wash column. With magma withdrawn from the MSMPR crystallizer being fed into the top of the gravity wash column, crystals settle down toward the bottom of column and the reflux melt rises upward, whereas the sweating of crystals and counter‐current contact between crystal particles and the melt lead to high separation capability of impurities. The gravity wash column used in this study is a vertical agitated cylindrical column, whose configuration is different from the inclined column crystallizer. The feasibility of suspension crystallization equipment for purification of phosphoric acid was studied. Distribution of impurities in the wash column was also investigated as a function of the feed concentration, crystal bed height, reflux ratio and stirring speed. Reflux ratio has been found to play an important role in the process. Food grade phosphoric acid can be achieved when the process is operated with feed concentrations of 84 ~ 86 wt.%, reflux ratios of 3.4 ~ 6.2, stirring speed of 10 rpm and crystal bed height of 150 ~ 250 mm in a gravity wash column. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.