Improved methods for the removal of heavy metals, in particular cadmium, from an aqueous phosphoric acid containing composition, wherein an organothiophosphorous heavy metal precipitating agent and an ionic polymeric surfactant, particularly a cationic polyacrylamide copolymer surfactant, are both added to a phosphoric acid containing composition, particularly under vigorous mixing conditions, such as between 500 and 700 rpm. The ionic polymeric surfactant promotes the precipitation of the heavy metals. More in particular, the phosphoric acid containing composition is obtained by the acid digestion of phosphate rock, preferably by nitric acid, sulfuric acid, or a combination thereof.

Improved methods for the removal of heavy metals, in particular cadmium, from an aqueous phosphoric acid containing composition, wherein an organothiophosphorous heavy metal precipitating agent and an ionic polymeric surfactant, particularly a cationic polyacrylamide copolymer surfactant, are both added to a phosphoric acid containing composition, particularly under vigorous mixing conditions, such as between 500 and 700 rpm. The ionic polymeric surfactant promotes the precipitation of the heavy metals. More in particular, the phosphoric acid containing composition is obtained by the acid digestion of phosphate rock, preferably by nitric acid, sulfuric acid, or a combination thereof.

A process and an apparatus for purifying a phosphate containing acidic solution (P1) containing impurities through a nanofiltration station (2) includes a number of nanofiltration membrane units arranged in series. At least one permeate recirculation loop, branching off the retentate side of the first membrane unit (M1) and closing the loop at the entry line (1e) to combine at least one of three permeates with the phosphate containing acidic solution (P1), the three permeate recirculation loops include: a first recovery recirculation loop, a first exit recirculation loop, and a second recovery recirculation loop.

A process and an apparatus for purifying a phosphate containing acidic solution (P1) containing impurities through a nanofiltration station (2) includes a number of nanofiltration membrane units arranged in series. At least one permeate recirculation loop, branching off the retentate side of the first membrane unit (M1) and closing the loop at the entry line (1e) to combine at least one of three permeates with the phosphate containing acidic solution (P1), the three permeate recirculation loops include: a first recovery recirculation loop, a first exit recirculation loop, and a second recovery recirculation loop.

Improved methods for the removal of heavy metals, in particular cadmium, from an aqueous phosphoric acid containing composition, wherein an ionic polymeric flocculating agent is added to a phosphoric acid containing composition subsequent to the addition of an organothiophosphorous heavy metal precipitating agent to said composition, particularly under gentle mixing conditions, such as between 100 and 300 rpm. The flocculating agent promotes the formation of agglomerates of the heavy metal containing precipitate, thus facilitating their removal from the composition. More in particular, the phosphoric acid containing composition is obtained by the acid digestion of phosphate rock, preferably by nitric acid, sulfuric acid, or a combination thereof.

Improved methods for the removal of heavy metals, in particular cadmium, from an aqueous phosphoric acid containing composition, wherein an ionic polymeric flocculating agent is added to a phosphoric acid containing composition subsequent to the addition of an organothiophosphorous heavy metal precipitating agent to said composition, particularly under gentle mixing conditions, such as between 100 and 300 rpm. The flocculating agent promotes the formation of agglomerates of the heavy metal containing precipitate, thus facilitating their removal from the composition. More in particular, the phosphoric acid containing composition is obtained by the acid digestion of phosphate rock, preferably by nitric acid, sulfuric acid, or a combination thereof.

Improved methods for the removal of heavy metals, in particular cadmium, from an aqueous phosphoric acid containing composition, using an organothiophosphorous heavy metal precipitating agent to said composition, wherein the reaction between the heavy metals, in particular cadmium, and the organothiophosphorous precipitating agent is performed at a pH ranging between 1.6 and 2.0 measured after a 13-fold dilution by volume. Advantageously, an ionic polymer, particularly a cationic and/or an anionic poly(meth)acrylamide copolymer may be used to promote heavy metal precipitation and/or to facilitate the removal of the precipitates from the composition. More in particular, the phosphoric acid containing composition is obtained by the acid digestion of phosphate rock, preferably by nitric acid, sulfuric acid, or a combination thereof.

Improved methods for the removal of heavy metals, in particular cadmium, from an aqueous phosphoric acid containing composition, using an organothiophosphorous heavy metal precipitating agent to said composition, wherein the reaction between the heavy metals, in particular cadmium, and the organothiophosphorous precipitating agent is performed at a pH ranging between 1.6 and 2.0 measured after a 13-fold dilution by volume. Advantageously, an ionic polymer, particularly a cationic and/or an anionic poly(meth)acrylamide copolymer may be used to promote heavy metal precipitation and/or to facilitate the removal of the precipitates from the composition. More in particular, the phosphoric acid containing composition is obtained by the acid digestion of phosphate rock, preferably by nitric acid, sulfuric acid, or a combination thereof.

In alternative embodiments, provided are methods and processes for the removal of cadmium (Cd) from wet-process phosphoric acid that may contain Cd, including excessive amounts of Cd. The process developed is based on the application of commercially available ion exchange resins with the application of Continuous Ion Exchange (CIX) technology. In alternative embodiments, provided are processes and methods for the recovery and/or the removal of cadmium from wet-process phosphoric acid using a continuous ion exchange approach. In alternative embodiments, use of processes and methods as provided herein allows for the reduction of cadmium metal contaminants with minimal phosphate losses and dilution in order to produce a phosphoric acid that is suitable for the production of fertilizers and phosphoric acid products, such as world-class diammonium phosphate fertilizer (DAP), merchant-grade phosphoric acid, super-phosphoric acid, and other phosphoric acid products.

In alternative embodiments, provided are methods and processes for the removal of cadmium (Cd) from wet-process phosphoric acid that may contain Cd, including excessive amounts of Cd. The process developed is based on the application of commercially available ion exchange resins with the application of Continuous Ion Exchange (CIX) technology. In alternative embodiments, provided are processes and methods for the recovery and/or the removal of cadmium from wet-process phosphoric acid using a continuous ion exchange approach. In alternative embodiments, use of processes and methods as provided herein allows for the reduction of cadmium metal contaminants with minimal phosphate losses and dilution in order to produce a phosphoric acid that is suitable for the production of fertilizers and phosphoric acid products, such as world-class diammonium phosphate fertilizer (DAP), merchant-grade phosphoric acid, super-phosphoric acid, and other phosphoric acid products.