“Phosphorus can be extracted in viable quantities from fly ash. Sufficient phosphorus could be recovered from the 

country’s incinerators to meet 30 percent of the Swedish annual demand for mineral fertilisers, say the researchers.”

The 15th element of the periodic table, Phosphorous is used in numerous applications by all of us every day. From match heads to baking powder, fertilizer and fireworks the element is highly demanded and now could have a new supply chain…Fly ash.

A group of Swedish researchers have conducted a series of experiments to extract phosphorous from fly ash. The most successful test consisted of washing the fly ash in hydrochloric acid and later washing it in sodium hydroxide numerous times. This allowed the phosphorous to be extracted whilst removing other elements such as aluminium and iron. The results showed that “This method extracted 72% (by weight) of the phosphorus that was originally present in the fly ash.” 

Although the results of the experiments seem promising the final product still contained low amounts of metals which make it unfit for use as a fertilizer in agricultural purposes. 

The team of researchers is also investigating the possibilities of recovering metals such as copper, magnesium and zinc from the ash. This type of research is becoming increasingly popular in the metals recovery field. We hope to see some major breakthroughs in the coming years.

To read more about the extraction of materials from fly ash, CLICK HERE.