MARKETPLACE ACCEPTS PURIFIED WET-PROCESS PHOSPHORIC-ACID

Phosphoric acid of a quality high enough for most industrial and food grade markets and for the production of industrial and food grade phos phate derivatives in the United States has historically been produced by burning elemental phosphorus. However, in 1990, high quality phosph oric acid began to be commercially produced in the United States by pu rifying wet-process phosphoric acid via solvent extraction. The produc tion facility, owned by Purified Acid Partners, is operated by Texasgu lf Inc. with the product being marketed by Albright & Wilson Company ( a partnership between Texasgulf Inc. and Albright & Wilson Americas, I nc.). In early 1991, Rhone-Poulenc began commercial production using d ifferent solvent extraction technology. This paper compares the produc tion and quality of thermal and purified phosphoric acid, discusses th e introduction of purified acid into the marketplace, and shows that i t has been accepted for all but a few low volume applications requirin g unique properties.