Innovative Approaches to Reducing Radium-226 Contamination in Phosphogypsum Waste Stream

OVERVIEW

ICL, the Seeker of this Challenge, is one of the world’s leading producers of phosphoric acid, an essential component of fertilizers.

The current process of phosphoric acid production involves reacting sulfuric acid with phosphate rock, a rock enriched in phosphate minerals. The reaction results in the formation of phosphoric acid and phosphogypsum, a white, powdery substance. Phosphogypsum contains radioactive radium-226 (Ra-226) that derives from phosphate rock; its concentration varies in the range of 700-1,200 Bq/kg.  

Phosphogypsum can be further processed in a variety of applications; however, its use is limited due to its radioactivity. ICL is therefore looking for innovative approaches to reducing Ra-226 contamination in the phosphogypsum waste stream or reducing (blocking) its radiation impact.

This is a Prize Challenge which requires a written proposal to be submitted. Awards will be contingent upon the theoretical evaluation of the proposal by ICL. For this Prize Challenge, Solvers are required to transfer all rights to the Intellectual Property (IP) in their proposed solution, to be awarded. However, ICL is also willing to consider a non-exclusive transfer for a partial award if exclusive IP cannot be transferred by the Solver. 

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on September 8, 2023.

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ABOUT THE SEEKER & ELIGIBILITY

ICL, a global manufacturer of products based on unique minerals, fulfills humanity’s essential needs, primarily in three markets: agriculture, food, and engineered materials.

The experience, knowledge, and professionalism derived from establishing Israel’s potash industry over a period of 80 years of intensive activity and major investment in R&D, have transformed ICL into a world leader in specialty fertilizers, bromine, and flame retardants. ICL produces approximately a third of the world’s bromine, and is the world’s sixth largest potash producer, as well as one of its leading producers of pure phosphoric acid.

ICL’s operations are global and are supported by worldwide distribution and supply chains. Our mining and production sites are located in Israel, Europe, North and South America, and China. ICL employs about 13,000 people worldwide.

Employees of the ICL Group and its subsidiaries are ineligible to receive awards for this Challenge.

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THE CHALLENGE

ICL is one of the world’s leading producers of phosphoric acid, an essential component of fertilizers.

Our current process involves reacting sulfuric acid with phosphate rock, a rock after beneficiation process. Phosphate is present in the rock in the form of apatite minerals, Ca₅(PO₄)₃(F,Cl,OH). The rock is contaminated with radioactive radium-226 (Ra-226); its concentration varies in the range of 500-1,000 Bq/kg. 

The reaction results in the formation of phosphoric acid and phosphogypsum (PG), a white, powdery substance that is mainly composed of gypsum, CaSO₄^.2HO₂O. PG is removed from the pure phosphoric acid by filtering; the concentration of Ra-226 in PG is even slightly higher than in the original phosphate rock, 700-1,200 Bq/kg.  

The contamination of PG with Ra-226 poses two problems. First, PG usually goes to waste and needs land space to be stored. Second, instead of going to waste, PG can be further used as a fertilizer, building material, or a source for production of some chemicals. However, its use is limited due to its radioactivity.

This Challenge is therefore looking for innovative approaches to reduce Ra-226 contamination in PG waste stream or to find economically sustainable PG applications in its current form.

SOLUTION REQUIREMENTS & ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

We envision that the problem of Ra-226 contamination in PG waste stream can be solved by one of the two approaches.

First, a process can be designed to reduce the concentration of Ra-226 in PG to <400 Bq/kg—either during the production of phosphoric acids or later by PG treatment—so that the released Ra-226 can be collected in smaller volume suitable for conventional treatment of radioactive wastes.

Second, because about 90% of radioactivity emitted by Ra-226 is represented by low- and medium-range emitting particles (alpha, 53%, and beta, 35%, respectively), it could be possible to “mask” Ra-226 in PG in such a way that the total level of emitted radioactivity would be reduced to largely undetectable levels. Treated in this way PG can then be further used in a number of applications.

Important: although proposing applications for the “masked” PG is not the primary objective of the Challenge, we’ll appreciate all the ideas Solvers may have on this topic. Submissions that deal with the topic of reducing Ra-aa6 contamination AND suggesting ideas of further uses of “masked” PG will receive our additional attention.

It is also important to know that phosphoric acid production (and resulting Ra-226-contaminated PG) is a large-scale industrial process. We are therefore not interested in solutions that rely on small-scale experimental protocol. Instead, the proposed solution should be able to deal with about 300,000-3,000,000 tons of PG per year.

Besides, the proposed solution must be economically viable. Our cost target is $10-20 per ton of PG.

We’ll welcome any innovative idea allowing us to achieve the objective of the Challenge, but regardless of the undertaken approach, the proposed solution should meet the following Solution Requirements:

1. The proposed solution should be able to reduce Ra-226 contamination in PG from 700-1,200 Bq/kg to roughly <400 Bq/kg.
2. If the proposed solution implies Ra-226 removal from phosphate rock or PG, then it should articulate a safe and sustainable way of collecting and disposing of Ra-226, according to appropriate regulations.
3. If the proposed solution implies “masking” the radioactivity in PG, then, ideally, some further applications of the resulting PG will be suggested.
4. The proposed solution should be applicable to a large-scale industrial process and therefore be able to treat about 300,000-3,000,000 tons of PG per year.
5. The proposed solution should be cost-effective, with the cost target being $10-20 per ton of PG.

Solutions with Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 4-6 are invited.

This is a Prize Challenge, which has the following features:

1. The best solution in this Prize Challenge has the opportunity to win the award of $30,000 USD if you meet all solution requirements, as solely determined by ICL.
2. Awards will be contingent upon the theoretical evaluation of the proposal by ICL.
3. For this Prize Challenge, Solvers are required to transfer all rights to the Intellectual Property (IP) in their proposed solution, to be awarded. However, ICL is also willing to consider a non-exclusive transfer for a partial award if exclusive IP cannot be transferred by the Solver. 
4. ICL may also issue “Honourable Mention” recognitions for notable submissions that are not selected for monetary awards.

YOUR SUBMISSION

Please complete the submission form.

The submitted proposals must be written in English and should include:

1. An Abstract and optional conclusion of the proposed solution.
2. A Detailed Description of the proposed approach or technology that meets the above Solution Requirements.
3. A rationale as to why the Solver believes that the proposed approach or technology will achieve the objectives of the Challenge. This rationale should address each of the Solution Requirements as described in the Challenge and be supported with relevant examples or precedents.
4. Any appropriate supporting data, drawings, etc.
5. ICL may wish to partner with the Solver at the conclusion of the Challenge. Please describe your expertise and include a statement indicating your interest in this opportunity.

Find out more about participation in Wazoku Crowd Challenges.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on September 8, 2023.

Late submissions will not be considered.

Your submission will be evaluated by the evaluation team first reviewing the information and content you have submitted at the submission form, with attachments used as additional context to your form submission. Submissions relying solely on attachments will receive less attention from the evaluation team.

After the Challenge submission due date, ICL will complete the review process and make a decision with regards to the winning solution(s) according to the timeline in the Challenge header. All Solvers who submit a proposal will be notified about the status of their submissions.