Waste-Free Phosphogypsum Processing Technology When Extracting Rare-Earth Metals

According to expert estimates, phosphogypsum is the largest technogenic waste in terms of volume. The purpose of this study is to develop a technology for the extraction of non-radioactive rare-earth metals from phosphogypsum and at the same time to get building materials and products using nonfiring technology. “Integra.Ru” Co Ltd developed an innovative technology for extracting rare-earth metals from phosphogypsum, based on the method of sulfuric acid decomposition. A pilot plant for the processing phosphogypsum with a capacity of about 15 thousand tons of phosphogypsum per year (produces up to 40 tons of collective concentrate of rare-earth metals per year) was designed, built and put into operation on the basis of the Voskresensk mineral fertilizer plant. Voronezh State Technical University has the patent of the Russian Federation “Raw mix for manufacturing building products using nonfiring technology” from phosphogypsum and pilot production of wall materials using nonfiring technology. Combining the two technologies will make it possible to establish non-waste production of phosphogypsum processing with the extraction of non-radioactive rare-earth metals and the direct production of building products. Waste-free phosphogypsum processing technology with the release of rare-earth metals and the simultaneous production of wall building materials will help solving the environmental problems of cities where phosphogypsum is located and reducing the cost of wall materials.