Adamson University

College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Department

Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 1

Term-end Project

“Manufacture of Phosphoric Acid”

Group Members:
Alip, Denielle Anne F. 201510138 _______________
Enecio II, Eldred C. 201513488 _______________
Gusto, Mae Deshiela M. 201510329 _______________
Penarubia, Chester James P. 201611024 _______________
Rodrigo, Angelica G. 201510370 _______________

ENGR. PATRICK LUIS Z. SORIANO

Instructor

Date Submitted:
July 12. 2018
 Table of Content

Introduction 1

Summary of Assumptions, Constants and Equations

A. Assumptions for Energy Balance 2

B. Constants Used in Energy Balance 3
C. Equations Used in Energy Balance 4

Detailed Energy Balance

J-1 Nodulizing Kiln 5
J-2 Furnace 11
J-3 Condenser 14
J-4 Burner 16
J-5 Gas Cooler 18
J-6 Mixer 20
Learning Insights 21
Group Picture 22
Member’s Profile 23
I. Introduction

Phosphoric acid, also called orthophosphoric acid, (H3PO4), the most important oxygen
acid of phosphorus, used to make phosphate salts for fertilizers. It is also used in dental cements,
in the preparation of albumin derivatives, and in the sugar and textile industries. It serves as an
acidic, fruitlike flavouring in food products.

Pure phosphoric acid is a crystalline solid (melting point 42.35° C, or 108.2° F); in less
concentrated form it is a colorless syrupy liquid. The crude acid is prepared from phosphate rock,
while acid of higher purity is made from white phosphorus.
Phosphoric acid forms three classes of salts corresponding to replacement of one, two, or
three hydrogen atoms. Among the important phosphate salts are: sodium dihydrogen phosphate
(NaH2PO4), used for control of hydrogen ion concentration (acidity) of solutions; disodium
hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4), used in water treatment as a precipitant for highly charged metal
cations; trisodium phosphate (Na3PO4), used in soaps and detergents; calcium dihydrogen
phosphate or calcium superphosphate (Ca[H2PO4]2), a major fertilizer ingredient; calcium
monohydrogen phosphate (CaHPO4), used as a conditioning agent for salts and sugars.

Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) can be produced by 3 main commercial methods: wet process, thermal
process and dry kiln process. Wet process is by far the most common route and the acid can be
used in phosphate fertilizers production. Thermal process phosphoric acid is of a much higher
purity and is used in the manufacture of high grade chemicals, pharmaceuticals, detergents, food
products, and other non-fertilizer products. The last method, using a rotary kiln, is a promising
alternative because of its reduced environmental footprint and potential cost saving.

The concentration of phosphoric acid is normally expressed as % P2O5 rather than % H3PO4.
In a wet process facility phosphoric acid is produced by reacting sulfuric acid (H2SO4) with
naturally occurring phosphate rock. The reaction also forms calcium sulfate (CaSO4), commonly
referred to as gypsum. The insoluble gypsum is separated from the reaction solution by filtration.
The operating conditions are generally selected so that the calcium sulfate will be precipitated in
either the dihydrate or the hemihydrate form, thus producing 26-32% P2O5 at 70 - 80°C for
dihydrate precipitation and 40-52% P2O5 at 90 - 110°C for hemihydrate precipitation. Further
evaporation of the solvent can be performed for a high-concentration phosphoric acid.