Toward large-scale utilization approaches for phosphogypsum with low-carbon paradigm

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Phosphogypsum (PG) is a major industrial byproduct with significant environmental risks.
• Effective PG utilization is crucial for waste management and resource recovery.
• Existing recycling technologies vary in scalability and economic viability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a comprehensive technological framework for phosphogypsum reclamation, purification, and stabilization.
• To analyze the characteristics, environmental risks, and technological parameters of phosphogypsum.
• To evaluate existing PG recycling methods and guide low-carbon transformation strategies.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of 4,766 studies on phosphogypsum.
• Quantification of key parameters: mixing ratios, large-scale application indices, and carbon footprint.
• Evaluation of strengths, limitations, and application scenarios of current technologies.

Main Results:

• A reclamation-purification-stabilization trinity framework is proposed to bridge research and engineering.
• Analysis reveals the interplay between PG minerals and impurities, alongside environmental risks.
• Quantitative carbon footprint data is provided for various PG utilization technologies.

Conclusions:

• The proposed framework facilitates the transition from isolated breakthroughs to optimized process chains for PG utilization.
• Quantitative carbon footprint analysis is essential for strategic decision-making in PG's low-carbon transformation.
• Accelerating the low-carbon transition of phosphogypsum utilization requires a holistic process chain optimization.