Abstract

The manufacture of elemental phosphorus by the electric furnace route, a mature and worldwide process, is reviewed. The principal product is white phosphorus although some red phosphorus is made from the white for specialty uses. Reduction in phosphorus production capacity has resulted from the detergent phosphate bans in the Western Hemisphere, the construction of wet-acid purification plants, and increased electric power costs.

Most phosphorus is converted into phosphoric acid or phosphates and is used for cleaning compounds, food and beverages, water and metal treatment, and electronics. The remainder is converted into other derivatives and is used for flame retardants, agricultural chemicals, lubricants, and plasticizers. By-products of phosphorus manufacture are slag, ferrophos, precipitator dust, and carbon monoxide off-gas.