Analysis of the settling process to improve the quality of phosphate products of the Djebel Onk deposit

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15587/2706-5448.2024.305237

Keywords:

phosphate ores, settling process, TSV, major elements, quality improvement, Tebessa, Southeast Algeria

Abstract

The object of the study is the phosphates of the Djebel Onk region, which are part of a vast group of phosphate deposits formed in the Late Cretaceous-Eocene period on the South and Southeast Mediterranean shores. These concentrations of economic interest are operated near the town of Bir El Ater (Tebessa, Algeria). The mining industry based on the extraction and processing of different minerals while respecting the environmental framework plays an important role in the economy of a country. The economic potential of each country will be determined based on the level of production of metals and various mineral substances. In the case of the Djebel Onk phosphate ore, the most dominant mineral in addition to P2O5 is calcium carbonate CaCO3 with more than 50 % in the all-mineral content. In addition, phosphate concentrate contains harmful elements which reduce the value of the market product. Therefore, this study aims to recover the enriched product efficiently and profitably with a minimum of deleterious elements. This work aims to develop a treatment technology with a minimum rejection rate, which allows for achieving production goals and reducing environmental impacts. For this purpose, we proposed an enrichment of these phosphate discharges from the settling process utilizing pneumatic selection (Turbo Separator Ventilate – TSV). The results of the chemical analyses confirm the significant difference in useful and major elements (P2O5) and the minor and harmful elements (MgO). According to the granulochemical analysis of each slice, it is possible to note that the P2O5 content is similar to the various particle-size slices. It is therefore necessary to treat the mass of waste if we want to recover as much phosphate as possible. The obtained X-ray diffractograms highlighted appreciable differences between the raw phosphates and the concentrates, in fact, the qualitative and quantitative variation of the mineralogical species, particularly the calcite, quartz, dolomite, and apatite. TSV is a process used to improve the quality and quantity of phosphate and to eliminate the layer below 0.8 mm. Corresponding to the analyses it was appeared that the P2O5 content 29.5–30 % of the settled product increases to 30.2–31 % after dust removal. Then it is possible to achieve an increase in the quality of phosphate from 63/65 % TPL to 66/68 % TPL.

Author Biographies

Wahida Kherfane, Badji Mokhtar University

Doctor of Hydrolycs, Lecturer

Laboratory of Soil and Hydraulic

Department of Hydraulic

Tourkia Tahri, Abderahmane Mira University

Doctor in Mining Engineering, Lecturer

Laboratory of Materials Technology and Process Engineering (LTMGP)

Amina Bouslama, Badji Mokhtar University

PhD, Lecturer

Department of Architecture

Meriem Ferfar, Environmental Research Center (C.R.E)

PhD, Researcher

Hamza Cheniti, National Higher School of Technology and Engineering; Environmental Research Center (C.R.E)

Doctor of Environmental Sciences, Lecturer

Department of Mining, Metallurgy and Materials

Chief of the Division of Environment, Modeling and Climate Change Division

Nacer Bezzi, Abderahmane Mira University

Professor

Laboratory of Materials Technology and Process Engineering (LTMGP)

Omar Sekiou, Environmental Research Center (C.R.E)

PhD, Researcher

Nadiia Dovbash, National Scientific Centre «Institute of Agriculture of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences»

PhD, Researcher

Aissa Benselhoub, Environmental Research Center (C.R.E)

PhD, Associate Researcher

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Analysis of the settling process to improve the quality of phosphate products of the Djebel Onk deposit

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Published

2024-06-03

How to Cite

Kherfane, W., Tahri, T., Bouslama, A., Ferfar, M., Cheniti, H., Bezzi, N., Sekiou, O., Dovbash, N., & Benselhoub, A. (2024). Analysis of the settling process to improve the quality of phosphate products of the Djebel Onk deposit. Technology Audit and Production Reserves, 3(3(77), 11–17. https://doi.org/10.15587/2706-5448.2024.305237

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 3(77) (2024): Chemical engineering

Section

Ecology and Environmental Technology

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Copyright (c) 2024 Wahida Kherfane, Tourkia Tahri, Amina Bouslama, Meriem Ferfar, Hamza Cheniti, Nacer Bezzi, Omar Sekiou, Nadiia Dovbash, Aissa Benselhoub

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