Challenge: Reducing Radium-226 Contamination in Phosphogypsum Waste Stream - Technology Org | By The Digital Insider

The contamination of PG with radium Ra-226 poses two problems. First, PG usually goes to waste and needs land space to be stored. Second, instead of going to waste, PG can be further used as a fertilizer, building material, or a source for production of some chemicals. However, its use is limited due to its radioactivity.

ICL, the Seeker of this Challenge, is one of the world’s leading producers of phosphoric acid, an essential component of fertilizers.

Modern agriculture is almost impossible without the use of nitrogen fertilizers. Image credit: Lynn Betts via Wikimedia

The current process of phosphoric acid production involves reacting sulfuric acid with phosphate rock, a rock enriched in phosphate minerals.

The reaction results in the formation of phosphoric acid and phosphogypsum, a white, powdery substance. Phosphogypsum contains radioactive radium-226 (Ra-226) that derives from phosphate rock; its concentration varies in the range of 700-1,200 Bq/kg.  

Phosphogypsum can be further processed in a variety of applications; however, its use is limited due to its radioactivity. ICL is therefore looking for innovative approaches to reducing radium Ra-226 contamination in the phosphogypsum waste stream or reducing (blocking) its radiation impact.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on September 4, 2023.

Source: Wazoku

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