The Process Water Problem Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

An Independent State Research Agency Governed By a Board of Directors Appointed by the Governor Funded by the Severance Tax on Phosphate Rock

FIPRs Mission Environment and Public Health Research Technology Research Education and Public Information Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

FIPR Research Priorities Technology –Mining and Rock Processing –Phosphogypsum and Process Water –Waste Clay Ponds Environment and Public Health –Environment –Restoration/Reclamation –Public Health Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

~800 Million to 1 Billion Tons in Stacks in Florida ~30 Million Tons Being Added Each Year Phosphogypsum Problem Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

Concentrates Manufacturing Sulfur Phos. Rock Anhydrous Ammonia Sulfuric Acid Plant Air Sulfuric Acid Heat Phosphate Rock Storage Phosphoric Acid Plant Phosphoric Acid Merchant Grade Phosphoric Acid Gypsum Stack Granulation Plant NH3 Storage Granular Crop Nutrients Animal Feed Ingredients Plant Defluorinated Feed Phosphates Exported Electric Power Cogen- eration Plant

Concentrates Manufacturing Sulfuric Acid Plant Phosphoric Acid Plant Granulation Plant Product Warehouses Gypsum Stack Animal Feed Ingredients Plant

Gypsum Production, 1997 Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

Process Water Problem Each stack has 1 to 3 billion gallons of process water pH is about 1 to 2 Dilute mixture of –Phosphoric, sulfuric, fluorsilicic acids –Saturated with calcium sulfate –Contains numerous other ions and ammonia Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

Process Water Problem Piney Point Other Gypsacks Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

Piney Point Problem Approximately 1 billion gallons of low pH, high conductivity water Water near the top of the stack –Threatening to spill into Bishops Harbor Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

Trucking Lime treatment and removal Reverse osmosis with no pretreatment (US Filter) Ocean Dumping Pretreatment/reverse osmosis project (IMC/FIPR)-in negotiation Piney Point Water Inventory Reduction Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

Problems with Other Stacks There are approximately 20 other stacks which will eventually have to be closed The water in these stacks has a pH of 1 to 2 The conductivity of the water is greater than at Piney Point Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

An Example of Quality of Water at Other Stacks Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

Possible Solutions Reduce the accumulation of phosphogypsum Reduce the amount of water on the stacks Improve the quality of the water on the stacks Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

Potential Uses for Phosphogypsum Road building Agriculture Landfills Oyster Culch Roofing Tile Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

Radioactivity of Phosphogypsum Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

Relative Risks Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

Regulatory agencies Public fear of the word radioactivity Florida Institute of Phosphate Research Barriers to Phosphogypsum Use

Florida Institute of Phosphate Research Preproposal Proposal Reviewers Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Staff Review Board Decision Proposal Review Process

Keys to Success (Cont.) Listen to the advise of the research directors and the TAC Have demonstrated industry support Have co-funding Florida Institute of Phosphate Research

How to Contact Us Florida Institute of Phosphate Research Phone Number: Web Page:

Who to Contact Mining and Beneficiation: Patrick Zhang, Ph.D. Chemical Processing, Phosphogypsum and Process Water: Mike Lloyd, B.S. Ch.E. Environment and Reclamation: Steve Richardson, Ph.D. Public Health: Brian Birky, Ph.D. Florida Institute of Phosphate Research