Phosphorus production methods and systems and methods for producing a reduction product

Abstract

A phosphorus production method can include reducing feed containing phosphate ore and providing a silica ratio from 0.3 to 0.7 in a reaction chamber from 1250 to 1380° C. Less than 20% of the phosphate remains in the residue. Another phosphorus production method includes continuously moving a reducing bed through the reaction chamber with the feed agglomerates substantially stable while in the reducing bed. Reaction chamber temperature can be from 1250 to 1380° C. A phosphorus production system includes a barrier wall segmenting the reaction chamber into a reduction zone differentiated from a preheat zone. The bed floor is configured to move continuously from the preheat zone to the reduction zone during operation. A method for producing a reduction product includes exothermically oxidizing reduction/oxidation products in the reaction chamber, thereby adding heat to the reducing bed from the freeboard as a second heat source.