Reducing Organic Impurities in Phosphoric Acid Production

ICL Group, a leading global specialty minerals company and producer of phosphoric acid for chemical manufacturing, is seeking novel and mature solutions to remove or treat organic impurities from the phosphoric acid production process. Approaches that target all stages of the manufacturing process are in scope, including mining and beneficiation of phosphate rock, acid production, and post-processing, with the earlier stages being highest priority. Solutions should reduce the organic content in merchant grade phosphoric acid to industry-acceptable levels.

Approaches of interest

• Solutions targeting organic impurities, mainly humic acid and fulvic acid
• Technologies that can work in harsh conditions and withstand dust, fluorine, high temperatures, and high acidity
• Cost-effective solutions that are scalable for large industrial plants and environmentally sustainable
• Processes that use catalysts
   

Out of scope

• Approaches that aren't cost-effective at industrial scale
• Approaches that can't withstand the harsh operational conditions (e.g., UV-based)

Developmental stage of interest: Opportunities must have at least pilot-scale proof of concept (TRL 5), with higher TRL preferred as the company aims to implement the solution quickly and initiate the industrial project by Q4 2026. Priority will be given to later-stage solutions with demonstrated efficacy in operational environments.

Please note: Full RFP is attached in the "More Information" section of this page. Faculty and researchers interested in applying for these opportunities based on technologies developed or disclosed at Vanderbilt must submit their proposals through the CTTC.