The major industrial method for the preparation of elemental phosphorus is heati

Question

The major industrial method for the preparation of elemental phosphorus is heating a mixture of phosphate rock, carbon, and sand in an electric furnace. The chemical reactions can be represented by

                   Ca3(PO4)2 + SiO2 CaSiO3 + P4O10

                     and

                   P4O10 + C P4 + CO

         a.       First balance the equations.

b.       Then calculate the percentage of Ca3(PO4)2 initially present in the rock sample if 307 kg of phosphate rock yields 42.5 kg of elemental P4.

Explanation / Answer

a) 2Ca3(PO4)2 + 6SiO2 + 10C ---------------> 6CaSiO3 + 10CO + P4

b) 123.9 g P4 require 2 x 310.18 g Ca3(PO4)2

42500 g (42.5 Kg) P4 require 42500 x 2 x 310.18 / 123.9 = 212794.5 g = 212.79 Kg Ca3(PO4)2

% of Ca3(PO4)2 = (212.79 / 307) x 100

% of Ca3(PO4)2 = 69.3

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