JDC Phosphate reports receipt of phos acid patent

San Francisco-JDC Phosphate said June 17 that it has been granted a patent for the Improved Hard Process, a Kiln Phosphoric Acid (IHP/KPA) production method. JDC says the patent, no. 7,378,070, protects technological breakthroughs that cut production cost while increasing phosphoric-acid purity and environmental friendliness. Compared to the conventional wet-acid process, which has remained essentially the same since the middle of the 19^th Century, the IHP/KPA production method provides a three-fold advance, says JDC. The first is a more concentrated SPA (super phosphoric acid) product; the second is a valuable co-product – an inert, silica-rich aggregate; and the third is an overall process that significantly improves the land stewardship and industry sustainability of phosphate manufacturing. “JDC built on Occidental Research’s pilot-plant breakthroughs to discover the advances that give the IHP/KPA process commercial viability,” said George Sibbald, JDC CEO. “Importantly, our process is a dry, high-temperature manufacturing method. Thanks to this innovation, we have demonstrated that many of the environmental shortcomings of the established, wet-acid process can be successfully overcome. As an added benefit, the IHP/KPA method accommodates low-grade ore with high contamination levels. That gives our dry process the potential to as much as double the commercially viable reserves in several ore bodies.” Among the environmental issues faced by current phosphate-production methods are large waste gypsum piles, ground- and surface-water contamination, and radiation, radon, and fluoride pollution. JDC says the IHP/KPA production process can largely overcome every one of these problems. According to Sibbald, JDC is proceeding with plans for building a commercial plant and selecting a location for its Phosphate Production and Environmental Engineering Research Center.” The objective of our research and development efforts is to bring advanced phosphate-manufacturing technology and know-how to the industry by reshaping production and logistics. Best of all, we will be doing this from an agricultural perspective that has as its goals sustainability and improved environmental stewardship.” Founded by Joseph Megy, Ph.D, in 1985, JDC is dedicated to improving the performance of the phosphate-production industry through innovative manufacturing methods, techniques for more profitable operation, and enhanced environmental stewardship. For more information, see the company’s website at:www.phosphatesustainability.com