Question

How is Superphosphate manufactured?

Answer 1

Superphosphate is produced by reacting naturally occurring phosphate rock with sulphuric acid. This process converts insoluble into forms more readily available for plants.

Phosphate rock$+$Sulphuric acid$\to$Superphosphate

The superphosphate manufacturing process uses blends of various rocks phosphate rock sources. Critical steps in the process include,

1. Grinding the phosphate rocking to correct size.

2. Accurately metering phosphate rock, sulphuric acid, and water.

3. Mixing together thoroughly.

4. Time for the reaction to occur.

The reacted material is fed into a granulation drum and across the screening process to produce granulated Superphosphate.

The Superphosphate is then stored for a period of weeks to allow further reactions to occur within the product to maximize the proportion of available phosphate in the commercial product.

The cured Superphosphate is dried and screened to prior dispatch.