Structural and spectral studies on gypsum crystals under simulated conditions of phosphoric acid production with and without organic and inorganic additives

In the dihydrate process to produce phosphoric acid, phosphate ore [Ca10F2(PO4)(6)] is leached with sulfuric and weak phosphoric acids to produce phosphoric acid and gypsum as a by-product. Crystallization of gypsum occurs as the leaching is taking place. The effect of organic and inorganic additives on the structure and spectrum of gypsum crystals under simulated conditions of phosphoric acid production is studied using x-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. Structure and spectrum of formed gypsum crystals in the absence of additives are slightly different from the standard gypsum crystals (card No. 6-0046), which reflect the effect of preparation medium on the crystal structure of gypsum crystals. Presence of additives such as cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide and 1,2-dihydroxybenzene-3,5-disulfonic acid, Al3+ and Mg2+ increase the crystallinity of gypsum, while presence of additives such as citric acid and sodium dodecyl sulfate decrease the crystallinity of gypsum. Presence of Al3+ and Mg2+ as additives lead to the formation of calcium sulfate hemihydrate beside calcium sulfate dihydrate. Presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate as an additive inhibits the crystallization of gypsum and leads to the formation of anhydrite and calcium sulfate hemihydrate.