Importance of Chemical and Mineralogical Data in Evaluating Apatitic Phosphate Ores

Chemical and mineralogical data on 25 apatitic phosphate ores of diverse origins from commerical deposits around the world were widely variable. From 14 to 18 chemical constituents of each sample were determined, and each sample contained four to ten mineral phases. Altogether there were 34 different mineral phases, many of which occurred in only one sample. Samples contained varieties of francolites, fluorapatites, and mixed hydroxyfluorapatites. The apatite compositions calculated from chemical data showed that certain types of substitutions were characteristic of different apatite varieties, but every variety had some degree of substitution of (CO3)2- for (PO4)3-, and the P205 contents of the apatites ranged from 35.1 %for a North Carolina apatite to 41.9% for a Missouri apatite. In a concentrate with a grade of 32% P2O5, the North Carolina sample should contain about 8.7% gangue and the Missouri sample about 23.7% gangue. To optimize the digestion process of a phosphate ore, it is necessary to consider the dissolution behaviors of different mineral phases during acidulation and their possible effects on chemical properties of a fertilizer intermediate. In the production of wet-process acids or superphosphates, acidulation of certain minerals may cause foaming and formation of sludge, filtration, corrosion, and handling problems.