Importance

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Abstract

Phosphorus furnaces were operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to produce elemental phosphorus beginning over the period 1936-1976. Elemental phosphorus was lost in phosphorus-containing waste throughout the 40 years TVA produced the element. Large quantities of phosphorus-containing wastes remain at the site where TVA produced the chemical. Technology has not been available to treat phosphorus-containing waste so as to recover elemental phosphorus and produce an innocuous waste material. White phosphorus is a dangerous chemical and it is very toxic. Essentially all the elemental phosphorus must be recovered if an innocuous waste is produced. Commercial processes have not been available to recover elemental phosphorus from phosphorus-containing wastes. Elemental phosphorus is produced commercially by smelting phosphatic material in electric furnaces. A process has been invented to prepare phosphatic feedstock from phosphorus-containing waste. The waste is heated in a temperature range which will volatilize white phosphorus and convert white phosphorus into red phosphorus. Thus phosphorus-containing wastes can be safely agglomerated to prepare phosphatic feedstock. Feedstock is heated to approximately 2700.degree. F. in electric furnaces and red phosphorus is vaporized. White phosphorus is obtained when phosphorus vapor is condensed.

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First Claim