Pumping of Phosphate Slurries
FLOYD B. BOWEN
Pumping methods are used, almost exclusively, to transport materials in the mining, beneficiation and chemical processing of phosphate rock in the Florida phosphate pebble field. Matrix pumping systems capable of pumping 15,000 g.p.m., transporting 2,000 long tons (dry) per hour, are now in use. They utilize 16- by 48 Yz-in. pumps, driven by 1.250-h.p. motors, discharging into pipelines 20 inches .in diameter and .. -sometimes several miles in length. As an average, it is necessary to pump 3 tons of matrix to the beneficiation plants, and to dispose of 2 tons of sand tailings and clay as waste, in order to produce 1 ton of shipping-grade rock.
Keywords:
beneficiation, phosphate rock, Phosphoric acid, slurry, sulphuric acid, Motors, Phosphate, Phosphates, Pipe, Plants, Pump, Pumping, Pumps, Slurry
