Phosphoric acid

1. Scope and Applicability

This PCR covers foreground production of orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) supplied as a manufactured product at the producer gate. It covers wet-process, thermal/furnace-process, and declared purification or concentration variants only when the route, delivered H3PO4 mass fraction, grade, physical state, and geography are stated. The rule is route-neutral: a dataset shall model the route actually operated and shall not substitute a wet-process, thermal-process, or single-concentration inventory for another route without an explicit scenario statement.

The scope excludes phosphoric esters, phosphate salts and fertilisers, polyphosphoric or superphosphoric acid unless converted and reported as orthophosphoric acid, weak process acid or gypsum slurry sold only as a route-specific intermediate, and downstream use, distribution, formulation, or neutralisation after the producer gate.

The foreground boundary begins with received process materials and utilities at the phosphoric-acid plant gate and ends with qualified phosphoric acid in the declared bulk storage or loading condition. Upstream production of purchased phosphate rock, sulfuric acid, elemental phosphorus, electricity, fuels, water, and treatment chemicals requires linked upstream datasets.

2. Product Category Identity

Field	Value
canonical_pcr_id	pcr.other-transportable-goods-except-metal-products-machinery-and-equipment.basic-chemicals.phosphoric-acid
classification_refs	CPC 3.0:34232 Phosphoric acid (exact classification context)
covered_products	Orthophosphoric acid solutions or acid product represented on contained-H3PO4 basis; wet-process, furnace/thermal-process, and explicitly declared purification or concentration variants
excluded_products	Phosphoric esters; phosphate salts and fertilisers; polyphosphoric or superphosphoric acid not converted to orthophosphoric-acid basis; wet-process weak acid with gypsum slurry when sold only as an intermediate; downstream formulations and uses
representative_product	Finished phosphoric acid at producer gate, with delivered H3PO4 mass fraction, grade, route, physical state, and location declared
production_route	Route-specific foreground modelling: wet-process acidulation, separation and concentration; or thermal oxidation and hydration; plus purification/finishing when applicable
market_state	Bulk liquid or other declared physical state at producer gate before distribution; concentration and grade are mandatory qualifiers

3. Reference Flow

Field	Value
What	Contained orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) in the qualified phosphoric-acid product at producer gate
How much	1 kg contained H3PO4
How well	Delivered H3PO4 mass fraction, grade/specification, production route, impurity or purity basis, physical state, and geography declared
How long or cycle	One reporting period representative of the declared production campaign or annual production mix
reference_flow_link	Mass of delivered product = 1 kg H3PO4 / measured H3PO4 mass fraction; all foreground inventory is normalized to this contained-H3PO4 basis

Field	Value
Reference amount	1 kg contained H3PO4 in delivered phosphoric acid
Reference product flow	Phosphoric acid 9396269a-cf0d-4b38-ae6d-ab6b91e1dc87
Reference flow property	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66
Reference unit group	Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
Reference unit	kg
Required qualifiers	delivered H3PO4 mass fraction; concentration test basis; product grade/specification; wet, thermal/furnace, or other declared route; purification steps; physical state; producer-gate condition; geography; reporting period

When constructing a foreground data package, the items listed in Required qualifiers must be declared in dataset metadata, process notes, reference flow comment, product description, or an equivalent data package field. Missing required qualifiers make the reference flow definition incomplete for that data package.

4. Measurement and Unit Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Required property	Required unit	Rule
reference_h3po4_mass	Reference product and all normalized inventory	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg	Determine delivered product mass by a calibrated mass record and determine H3PO4 mass fraction by the declared product test method; normalize as delivered mass multiplied by H3PO4 mass fraction. Do not treat P2O5 percentage as H3PO4 percentage without a documented conversion.
solution_water_consistency	Product water and concentration balance	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg	Report product concentration on one declared wet or dry analytical basis and preserve the measured solution-water balance; water evaporated during concentration is not product H3PO4.
route_separation	Route-specific inventory	Mass and energy properties used by each record	kg; kWh; MJ	Keep wet-process and thermal/furnace-process production in separate foreground process chains or separately weighted production-mix components; disclose weights before aggregation.

5. System Boundary

Boundary Abstraction

Field	Value
declared_starting_condition	Purchased phosphate rock and sulfuric acid for wet process, or purchased elemental phosphorus and oxidant/water for thermal process, plus purchased utilities and treatment materials, received at the producer site
starting_condition_role	Foreground plant-gate starting condition; extraction and production of purchased inputs are upstream datasets
product_classification_scope	Orthophosphoric acid product within CPC 3.0:34232; route-specific intermediate acids remain inputs or internal outputs and do not silently redefine the canonical product
recursive_input_rule	Purchased phosphoric acid entering concentration, purification, blending, or recycle is recorded as a technosphere input with supplier dataset and H3PO4 concentration; do not recursively claim its production inside the current foreground boundary
upstream_dataset_requirement	Link each purchased material, energy carrier, electricity, water supply, transport service, and waste-treatment input to a geographically and technologically representative upstream dataset
disclosure	Declare route, product grade, delivered H3PO4 mass fraction, included purification/concentration steps, treatment and destination of phosphogypsum or other residues, allocation method, geography, and reporting period

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
boundary_route_gate	Foreground production chain	Include all operated unit processes from received route feedstocks through reaction, separation, concentration or hydration, route-specific purification, emission control, residue handling, storage, and loading to the declared producer-gate product.	us-epa-phosphoric-acid-supply-chain-2023; us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid; eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007
boundary_wet_process	Wet-process route	Include phosphate-rock preparation when on site, sulfuric-acid attack, digestion/crystallisation, filtration or solid-liquid separation, weak-acid handling, concentration, gas scrubbing, phosphogypsum handling, process-water recycle, and wastewater treatment when operated.	us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid; eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007
boundary_thermal_process	Thermal/furnace route	Include elemental-phosphorus handling, oxidation/combustion, hydration or absorption, cooling, off-gas control, and concentration or purification needed for the declared product. Upstream elemental-phosphorus production remains linked as an upstream dataset unless performed at the reporting site.	us-epa-phosphoric-acid-supply-chain-2023; us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid
boundary_no_silent_exclusion	All routes	Justify and disclose every excluded material or emission stream; do not omit fluoride-bearing gas, particulate, process wastewater, phosphogypsum, spent treatment material, or off-spec acid merely because it is recycled, sold, or treated.	eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007; eu-environmental-footprint-recommendation-2021

6. Process Inventory Structure

Process Map

process_id	process_name	inclusion	inclusion_condition	role	quantitative_reference
wet_acidulation_separation	Wet-process acidulation and separation	conditional	Required when phosphate rock is attacked with sulfuric acid to produce wet-process acid	Foreground reaction, crystallisation, filtration, gas control, and phosphogypsum separation	1 kg contained H3PO4 in weak acid leaving separation
wet_concentration	Wet-process concentration and finishing	conditional	Required when wet-process weak acid is concentrated or finished at the reporting site	Foreground evaporation, concentration, cooling, scrubbing, and product finishing	1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished wet-process acid
thermal_oxidation_hydration	Thermal oxidation and hydration	conditional	Required when elemental phosphorus is oxidised and hydrated to phosphoric acid	Foreground furnace/combustion, hydration/absorption, cooling, gas control, and finishing	1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished thermal-process acid
purification	Product purification	conditional	Required when extraction, adsorption, precipitation, ion exchange, or another purification step is used to meet the declared grade	Foreground purification and associated residue/wastewater handling	1 kg contained H3PO4 in purified acid
storage_loading	Qualified product storage and loading	required	Always required for producer-gate delivery	Final quality release, storage losses, transfer, and loading	1 kg contained H3PO4 in released product

Process: Wet-process acidulation and separation (wet_acidulation_separation)

Inputs

Product flows

Prepared phosphate rock (phosphate_rock_input)

Record dry and as-received phosphate rock, P2O5 assay, moisture, carbonate and fluoride-relevant composition, and supplier origin.

• Selected flow: Phosphate rock, declared grade
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured dry and as-received mass charged to acidulation
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in weak acid output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_wet_materials
• Sources: us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid; eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007
• Range: Provisional phosphate-rock screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 1
  • Upper: 10
  • Unit: kg
  • Basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in weak acid output
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Sulfuric acid (sulfuric_acid_input)

Record delivered acid mass, assay, recycled-acid contribution, and supplier dataset separately.

• Selected flow: Sulfuric acid, declared concentration
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured as-delivered mass and acid assay charged
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in weak acid output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_wet_materials
• Sources: us-epa-phosphoric-acid-supply-chain-2023; us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid
• Range: Provisional sulfuric-acid screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0.5
  • Upper: 5
  • Unit: kg
  • Basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in weak acid output
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Process and wash water (wet_process_water)

Record fresh, recycled, and discharged water separately to preserve the plant water balance.

• Selected flow: Process water
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: metered fresh water plus measured internal recycle by source
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in weak acid output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_water_energy
• Sources: eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007
• Range: Provisional wet-process water screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 20
  • Unit: kg
  • Basis: fresh water per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in weak acid output
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Electricity and fuels (wet_energy_input)

Record metered electricity and each fuel or steam carrier separately; do not combine energy carriers before linking upstream datasets.

• Selected flow: Electricity, steam, and fuels by carrier
• Flow property / unit: Energy / kWh or MJ
• Amount rule: metered consumption assigned to wet acidulation and separation
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in weak acid output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_water_energy
• Range: Provisional combined-energy screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 20
  • Unit: kWh-equivalent
  • Basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in weak acid output; carrier conversion disclosed
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Weak phosphoric acid (weak_acid_output)

Record weak-acid mass and measured H3PO4 or P2O5 assay before concentration; preserve the analytical conversion used.

• Selected flow: Wet-process weak phosphoric acid, route-specific intermediate
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured weak-acid mass and assay, normalized to contained H3PO4
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in weak acid output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_quality
• Sources: us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid
• Range: Typical wet-process weak-acid concentration
  • Range role: Typical range (typical_range)
  • Lower: 26
  • Upper: 30
  • Unit: mass % P2O5
  • Basis: weak acid leaving wet-process production before concentration
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: External source (external_source)
  • Sources: us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid

Waste flows

Phosphogypsum (phosphogypsum_output)

Record separated gypsum mass, moisture, composition, storage or sale status, transport, and final destination; classification as co-product or waste follows the actual disposition.

• Selected flow: Phosphogypsum, declared disposition
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured wet and dry mass leaving filtration and any later handling
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in weak acid output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_residues_emissions
• Sources: eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007
• Range: BREF phosphogypsum generation screen
  • Range role: Typical range (typical_range)
  • Lower: 4
  • Upper: 5
  • Unit: kg phosphogypsum/kg P2O5 manufactured
  • Basis: wet-process production on P2O5 output basis
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: External source (external_source)
  • Sources: eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007

Wet-process wastewater (wet_wastewater_output)

Record discharged water volume or mass and analysed fluoride, phosphate, suspended solids, acidity, and treatment route after internal recycle.

• Selected flow: Wastewater, phosphoric-acid production
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured net discharge after recycled process and scrubber water
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in weak acid output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_residues_emissions
• Sources: eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007
• Range: Provisional net-wastewater screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 20
  • Unit: kg
  • Basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in weak acid output
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Elementary flows

Fluoride emissions to air (wet_fluoride_air)

Record measured HF, SiF4, or total fluoride at each controlled and uncontrolled emission point using the reported species basis.

• Selected flow: Fluoride compounds to air, species declared
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: stack concentration multiplied by dry standardized gas volume and operating time
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in weak acid output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_residues_emissions
• Sources: us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid; eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007
• Range: Wet-process BAT fluoride concentration screen
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 1
  • Upper: 5
  • Unit: mg/Nm3 as HF
  • Basis: controlled wet-process exhaust concentration; not a product-normalized emission factor
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: External source (external_source)
  • Sources: eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007

Process: Wet-process concentration and finishing (wet_concentration)

Inputs

Product flows

Weak phosphoric acid feed (weak_acid_input)

Record transferred weak acid by measured mass and assay; internal transfer must reconcile with weak_acid_output.

• Selected flow: Wet-process weak phosphoric acid, route-specific intermediate
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured transfer mass multiplied by measured H3PO4 mass fraction
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished wet-process acid
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_quality

Concentration utilities (concentration_energy_water)

Record steam, electricity, cooling water, and fuel separately for evaporators and finishing equipment.

• Selected flow: Steam, electricity, fuel, and cooling water by carrier
• Flow property / unit: Energy or mass / kWh, MJ, or kg
• Amount rule: metered utility use assigned to concentration and finishing
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished wet-process acid
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_water_energy
• Range: Provisional concentration-utility screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 30
  • Unit: kWh-equivalent
  • Basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished wet-process acid; carrier conversion disclosed
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Finished wet-process phosphoric acid (wet_finished_acid)

Record product mass, delivered H3PO4 mass fraction, P2O5 result when used, grade, and release specification.

• Selected flow: Phosphoric acid 9396269a-cf0d-4b38-ae6d-ab6b91e1dc87
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: delivered product mass = 1 kg H3PO4 divided by measured H3PO4 mass fraction
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_quality
• Sources: us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid; us-epa-phosphoric-acid-supply-chain-2023
• Range: Provisional delivered-product mass screen
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 1
  • Upper: 100
  • Unit: kg product
  • Basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4; replace with the exact inverse of measured H3PO4 mass fraction
  • Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Waste flows

Concentration condensate and wastewater (concentration_wastewater)

Record condensate reuse and net discharge, including measured phosphate, fluoride, acidity, and treatment destination.

• Selected flow: Concentration condensate or wastewater, disposition declared
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured net condensate or wastewater leaving foreground reuse loops
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished wet-process acid
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_residues_emissions
• Range: Provisional concentration-water screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 20
  • Unit: kg
  • Basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished wet-process acid
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Elementary flows

Process: Thermal oxidation and hydration (thermal_oxidation_hydration)

Inputs

Product flows

Elemental phosphorus (elemental_phosphorus_input)

Record phosphorus mass, purity, supplier, and upstream production dataset; do not merge upstream furnace production into this plant step unless it occurs within the reporting boundary.

• Selected flow: Elemental phosphorus, declared grade
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured phosphorus charged
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished thermal-process acid
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_thermal_materials
• Sources: us-epa-phosphoric-acid-supply-chain-2023; us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid
• Range: Provisional elemental-phosphorus screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0.1
  • Upper: 1
  • Unit: kg
  • Basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished thermal-process acid
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Oxidant and hydration water (thermal_air_water)

Record dry air or oxygen supply and net fresh hydration/cooling water separately from recycled acid and water.

• Selected flow: Air or oxygen; process water
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured or calculated oxidant from monitored flow and measured net water input
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished thermal-process acid
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_thermal_materials
• Sources: us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid
• Range: Provisional hydration-water screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 20
  • Unit: kg water
  • Basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished thermal-process acid
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Thermal-route utilities (thermal_energy_input)

Record electricity, steam, cooling, and auxiliary fuel by carrier.

• Selected flow: Electricity, steam, and fuels by carrier
• Flow property / unit: Energy / kWh or MJ
• Amount rule: metered consumption assigned to oxidation, hydration, cooling, and finishing
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished thermal-process acid
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_water_energy
• Range: Provisional thermal-utility screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 30
  • Unit: kWh-equivalent
  • Basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished thermal-process acid; carrier conversion disclosed
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Finished thermal-process phosphoric acid (thermal_finished_acid)

Record product mass, measured H3PO4 mass fraction, grade, impurity basis, and release specification.

• Selected flow: Phosphoric acid 9396269a-cf0d-4b38-ae6d-ab6b91e1dc87
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: delivered product mass = 1 kg H3PO4 divided by measured H3PO4 mass fraction
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_quality
• Sources: us-epa-phosphoric-acid-supply-chain-2023; us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid
• Range: Provisional delivered-product mass screen
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 1
  • Upper: 100
  • Unit: kg product
  • Basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4; replace with the exact inverse of measured H3PO4 mass fraction
  • Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Waste flows

Thermal-route wastewater and residues (thermal_waste_output)

Record net wastewater, off-spec acid, filter solids, and spent control material by treatment destination.

• Selected flow: Thermal-route wastewater and residues by type
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured mass leaving recycle loops
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished thermal-process acid
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_residues_emissions
• Range: Provisional thermal-waste screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 10
  • Unit: kg
  • Basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished thermal-process acid
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Elementary flows

Thermal-process particulate and phosphorus-bearing emissions (thermal_air_emissions)

Record measured particulate and phosphorus-bearing species by emission point after controls.

• Selected flow: Particulate and phosphorus-bearing emissions to air, species declared
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured concentration multiplied by standardized gas volume and operating time
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished thermal-process acid
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_residues_emissions
• Sources: us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid
• Range: Provisional thermal-air-emission screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 0.1
  • Unit: kg
  • Basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in finished thermal-process acid
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Process: Product purification (purification)

Inputs

Product flows

Crude acid and purification materials (purification_inputs)

Record crude-acid mass and assay plus each extraction solvent, adsorbent, precipitant, ion-exchange material, and utility used to meet the declared grade.

• Selected flow: Crude phosphoric acid and purification materials by type
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured mass charged and inventory change over the reporting period
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in purified product
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_purification
• Sources: us-epa-phosphoric-acid-supply-chain-2023
• Range: Provisional purification-material screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 10
  • Unit: kg
  • Basis: combined purification materials per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in purified product; individual materials still reported separately
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Purified phosphoric acid (purified_acid_output)

Record measured product mass, H3PO4 mass fraction, grade and impurity specification, and recovery from crude acid.

• Selected flow: Phosphoric acid 9396269a-cf0d-4b38-ae6d-ab6b91e1dc87
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: delivered product mass = 1 kg H3PO4 divided by measured H3PO4 mass fraction
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: 1 kg contained H3PO4 in purified product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_quality
• Sources: us-epa-phosphoric-acid-supply-chain-2023
• Range: Provisional delivered-product mass screen
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 1
  • Upper: 100
  • Unit: kg product
  • Basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4; replace with the exact inverse of measured H3PO4 mass fraction
  • Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Waste flows

Purification residues and wastewater (purification_waste)

Record spent solvent, adsorbent, sludge, filter cake, regenerant, and wastewater separately with treatment destination.

• Selected flow: Purification waste by type and destination
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured waste mass and net wastewater leaving recovery loops
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in purified product
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_purification
• Range: Provisional purification-waste screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 20
  • Unit: kg
  • Basis: combined residues and wastewater per 1 kg contained H3PO4 in purified product; individual streams still reported separately
  • Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Elementary flows

Process: Qualified product storage and loading (storage_loading)

Inputs

Product flows

Released phosphoric acid to storage (released_acid_input)

Record the route-specific finished or purified acid entering qualified storage by mass and H3PO4 assay.

• Selected flow: Phosphoric acid 9396269a-cf0d-4b38-ae6d-ab6b91e1dc87
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: measured transfer mass and assay reconciled with production output
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 loaded at producer gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_quality

Waste flows

Elementary flows

Outputs

Product flows

Producer-gate phosphoric acid (reference_product_output)

This is the reference product after quality release and loading. Record actual loaded mass, H3PO4 assay, route, grade, physical state, batch or production-mix identity, and container or bulk-transfer condition.

• Selected flow: Phosphoric acid 9396269a-cf0d-4b38-ae6d-ab6b91e1dc87
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: loaded product mass = 1 kg H3PO4 divided by measured delivered H3PO4 mass fraction
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: 1 kg contained H3PO4 in producer-gate product
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_quality
• Range: Provisional delivered-product mass screen
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 1
  • Upper: 100
  • Unit: kg product
  • Basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4; replace with the exact inverse of measured H3PO4 mass fraction
  • Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Waste flows

Storage and loading losses (storage_loading_losses)

Record spills, off-spec returns, tank bottoms, washings, vent-scrubber liquid, and packaging residues by destination.

• Selected flow: Storage and loading waste by type
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured loss and waste mass from storage and loading reconciliation
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 loaded at producer gate
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_residues_emissions
• Range: Provisional storage-loss screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 0.1
  • Unit: kg
  • Basis: per 1 kg contained H3PO4 loaded at producer gate
  • Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Elementary flows

7. Allocation and Co-product Handling

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
allocation_subdivide_first	All multifunctional plant operations	Avoid allocation first by metering and subdividing reaction, separation, concentration, purification, utilities, emission control, and residue handling that are directly attributable to phosphoric acid or another output.	eu-environmental-footprint-recommendation-2021
allocation_phosphogypsum_status	Phosphogypsum and recovered fluosilicic acid	Treat a stream as a co-product only when it leaves the site as a quality-controlled product with an evidenced market or beneficial use; otherwise model it as waste with the actual treatment, storage, or disposal burden. Disclose moisture and avoided-burden assumptions.	eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007
allocation_physical_then_other	Inseparable co-products	If subdivision or system expansion is not practicable, use a documented, quantifiable physical relationship relevant to the functions. If no defensible physical relationship exists, use another relationship such as site- and period-specific relative economic value and justify why the preceding hierarchy was rejected.	eu-environmental-footprint-recommendation-2021
allocation_recycle_no_double_count	Internal recycled acid, scrubber liquid, water, and recovered materials	Treat internal recycle as an internal transfer; count only net purchased inputs and net outputs crossing the foreground boundary, while retaining gross recycle measurements for mass-balance QA. Do not award a co-product credit and avoid a treatment burden for the same quantity.	eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007; eu-environmental-footprint-recommendation-2021

8. Foreground Data Collection, Calculation, and Quality Rules

Data Collection Protocols

protocol_id	process_id	flow_role	record_type	raw_fields	collection_method	unit	frequency	temporal_coverage	site_scope	aggregation_rule	quality_evidence
cp_wet_materials	wet_acidulation_separation	phosphate rock, sulfuric acid, recycled acid	weighbridge, batch record, assay, inventory	material_id; supplier; wet_mass; dry_mass; moisture; P2O5_assay; acid_assay; recycle_mass; timestamp	calibrated scales and laboratory certificates linked to batches	kg; mass %	each receipt and batch; monthly reconciliation	full declared reporting period	all wet-process lines in declared site scope	sum net purchased and internal transfers separately; normalize to measured contained H3PO4 output	calibration, laboratory QA/QC, supplier certificate, stock reconciliation
cp_thermal_materials	thermal_oxidation_hydration	elemental phosphorus, oxidant, hydration water	batch meter, mass-flow meter, tank inventory, assay	phosphorus_mass; phosphorus_purity; air_or_oxygen_flow; water_mass; recycle_mass; timestamp	calibrated tank/flow metering and laboratory assay	kg; Nm3	continuous or batch; monthly reconciliation	full declared reporting period	all thermal-process lines in declared site scope	sum by carrier and convert only with documented density or composition	calibration, assay QA/QC, stock and gas-flow reconciliation
cp_water_energy	all applicable processes	fresh/recycled water and each energy carrier	utility meter, invoice, steam/fuel balance	meter_id; opening; closing; carrier; energy_content; allocation_key; recycle_water; period	calibrated submeters preferred; invoices reconciled to plant total	kg; m3; kWh; MJ	continuous/monthly	full declared reporting period	each process line and shared utility system	direct submeter first; documented allocation only for inseparable shared utilities	calibration, invoice, meter coverage and reconciliation
cp_product_quality	all product-output processes	acid mass, H3PO4/P2O5 assay, grade and batch	tank scale/flow meter, laboratory certificate, release record	batch_id; product_mass; sample_id; H3PO4_fraction; P2O5_fraction; conversion_method; grade; route; impurity_results; release_time	calibrated mass measurement and validated product assay	kg; mass %	each batch or tank; production-period weighted average	full declared reporting period	all released product in declared dataset	calculate contained H3PO4 by batch and sum; weight route or grade mixes by contained H3PO4	calibration, certified method, blanks/duplicates, release approval, mass balance
cp_residues_emissions	all applicable processes	phosphogypsum, wastewater, air emissions, spills and residues	scale, flow meter, stack/water monitoring, waste manifest	stream_id; mass_or_flow; moisture; concentration; species; gas_volume; operating_time; destination; manifest_id	direct measurement and regulatory or equivalent monitoring	kg; m3; mg/Nm3; mg/L	continuous/periodic as required; at least reporting-period reconciliation	full declared reporting period	every discharge and residue destination in site scope	concentration times measured carrier flow; sum by species and destination; report below-detection handling	calibration, laboratory QA/QC, detection limits, permits and manifests
cp_purification	purification	purification materials, recovery, residues	batch sheets, inventory, assay, waste manifest	crude_acid_mass; crude_assay; material_mass; recovered_mass; product_assay; residue_mass; destination	batch reconciliation with laboratory assays	kg; mass %	each batch; monthly reconciliation	full declared reporting period	each purification train included	contained-H3PO4 balance and net material consumption over inventory period	assay QA/QC, stock reconciliation, waste manifests

Calculation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Formula or rule	Inputs	Output	source_ids
calc_contained_h3po4	Every acid input and output	contained H3PO4 mass = measured as-delivered acid mass × measured H3PO4 mass fraction	product_mass; H3PO4_fraction	kg contained H3PO4
calc_p2o5_conversion	Records reported as P2O5	Convert P2O5 assay to H3PO4 only with a documented stoichiometric factor and preserve both reported and converted values; prohibit treating the percentages as interchangeable	P2O5_fraction; conversion_method	H3PO4_fraction with audit field	us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid
calc_reference_normalization	All foreground rows	normalized amount = reporting-period net amount / reporting-period contained H3PO4 in qualified producer-gate output	net_flow_amount; qualified_product_mass; H3PO4_fraction	amount per 1 kg contained H3PO4
calc_route_mix	Production-mix datasets	aggregate route inventories only after each route is normalized; route weight = route contained-H3PO4 output / total contained-H3PO4 output	route outputs and normalized inventories	disclosed contained-H3PO4-weighted production mix	eu-environmental-footprint-recommendation-2021
calc_emission_mass	Stack and wastewater species	emitted mass = measured concentration × measured carrier-gas or water volume, with temperature, pressure, moisture, unit conversion, non-detect treatment, and operating time documented	concentration; carrier_flow; conditions; operating_time	kg species per reporting period	us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid; eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007

Data Quality Requirements

requirement_id	Applies to	Requirement	Evidence
dq_identity	Reference product	Product flow identity, CPC context, route, grade, physical state, H3PO4 assay basis, geography, and producer-gate condition must be complete and mutually consistent.	Tiangong UUID confirmation, product specification, batch release record
dq_mass_balance	Each route and reporting period	Reconcile phosphorus-bearing inputs, contained-H3PO4 product and intermediates, recycle, phosphogypsum/residues, wastewater, emissions, inventory change, and documented loss; explain residuals.	signed material balance and assay records
dq_temporal	Foreground records	Use one representative continuous 12-month period where available, or disclose shorter campaign coverage, shutdowns, start-ups, abnormal operation, and averaging method.	meter coverage, production calendar, batch list
dq_representativeness	Foreground and upstream datasets	Assess technological, geographical, time representativeness, and precision; higher-quality site-specific data are required for major material, energy, product, residue, and direct-emission rows.	data-quality assessment and source metadata; eu-environmental-footprint-recommendation-2021
dq_completeness	All routes	Cover all operated process-map stages and every material discharge, including recycled, marketed, stored, or treated streams; quantify data coverage and justify exclusions.	process map, meter register, permits, waste manifests, exclusion log
dq_uncertainty	Reasoned estimates and non-detects	Flag every reasoned_estimate as provisional and replace it with foreground or reviewed external evidence before publication-critical use; state detection limits and non-detect substitution.	uncertainty register and review record

9. Validation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
validate_reference_identity	Reference flow	Fail if the product flow UUID, Mass property UUID, Units of mass UUID, CPC 34232 context, or reference unit kg is missing or inconsistent.
validate_required_qualifiers	Dataset metadata	Fail if delivered H3PO4 mass fraction, analytical basis, product grade, route, purification status, physical state, producer-gate condition, geography, or reporting period is missing.	us-epa-phosphoric-acid-supply-chain-2023
validate_route_structure	Process map and inventory	Require either the complete applicable wet-process chain or thermal-process chain, plus applicable purification and required storage/loading; fail a production mix that does not disclose route weights.	us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid; eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007
validate_h3po4_balance	Product normalization	Recalculate contained H3PO4 from product mass and assay and require agreement with the 1 kg reference basis within the declared measurement uncertainty; fail an undocumented P2O5-to-H3PO4 conversion.
validate_wet_streams	Wet process	Require phosphate rock, sulfuric acid, process water, weak acid, phosphogypsum disposition, fluoride-bearing air emissions, wastewater, energy, and concentration utilities when applicable; any omission requires a documented zero or exclusion rationale.	us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid; eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007
validate_thermal_streams	Thermal process	Require elemental phosphorus, oxidant, hydration water, utilities, product assay, particulate/phosphorus-bearing air emissions, and net wastewater/residues; any omission requires a documented zero or exclusion rationale.	us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid; us-epa-phosphoric-acid-supply-chain-2023
validate_allocation	Co-products and wastes	Fail if phosphogypsum, recovered fluosilicic acid, or another output is credited as a co-product without market/use evidence and a disclosed allocation hierarchy, or if internal recycle is double counted.	eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007; eu-environmental-footprint-recommendation-2021
validate_source_and_estimate_status	Ranges and rules	Require source ids for external ranges and method rules; require provisional labelling and an unresolved evidence note for every reasoned_estimate.

10. Published Dataset Profile

Field	Value
dataset_role	Foreground phosphoric-acid production dataset normalized to 1 kg contained H3PO4 at producer gate
downstream_use	secondary_dataset; background_dataset after review of route, concentration, geography, allocation, and data quality
allowed_use	Route- and grade-matched LCA models, chemical and fertiliser supply chains, and disclosed production mixes whose required qualifiers match the dataset
excluded_use	Silent substitution across wet and thermal routes, concentrations, grades, geographies, or purification states; weak-acid or slurry intermediates treated as finished acid; downstream use or distribution claims outside the boundary
required_metadata	canonical PCR id; product flow UUID; CPC context; producer; geography; reporting period; route and route weights; delivered H3PO4 and P2O5 assay with conversion method; grade/specification; physical state; included purification; technology; allocation; residue destinations; upstream dataset identities
required_quality_disclosure	meter and laboratory coverage; mass-balance residual; technological/geographical/temporal representativeness and precision; exclusions; non-detect handling; source versions; provisional reasoned_estimate rows; uncertainty and review status
update_trigger	Change in route, concentration or grade, purification train, major supplier or energy mix, emission control, phosphogypsum disposition, allocation method, geography, reference-flow identity, or evidence that materially changes an important range or rule

11. Data Sources

Source id	Type	Reference	Used for
us-epa-ap42-phosphoric-acid	official_guidance	U.S. EPA, AP-42 Chapter 8.9, Phosphoric Acid. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-09/documents/8.9_phosphoric_acid.pdf (retrieved 2026-08-09)	Wet and thermal process decomposition; weak-acid concentration context; fluoride and particulate emission points; control and measurement rules
us-epa-phosphoric-acid-supply-chain-2023	official_guidance	U.S. EPA, Phosphoric Acid Supply Chain Profile, 2023. https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-03/Phosphoric%20Acid%20Supply%20Chain%20Profile.pdf (retrieved 2026-08-09)	Wet versus thermal routes; industrial versus purified/high-purity product distinction; sulfuric-acid dependence and purification boundary
eu-jrc-lvic-aaf-bref-2007	official_guidance	European Commission JRC, Reference Document on Best Available Techniques for the Manufacture of Large Volume Inorganic Chemicals – Ammonia, Acids and Fertilisers, August 2007. https://bureau-industrial-transformation.jrc.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-03/LVIC-AAF.pdf (retrieved 2026-08-09)	Wet-process boundary; P2O5 efficiency; fluoride control; process-water recycle; wastewater treatment; phosphogypsum and fluosilicic-acid disposition; source-backed QA ranges
eu-environmental-footprint-recommendation-2021	standard	European Commission Recommendation (EU) 2021/2279 on Environmental Footprint methods. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32021H2279R(01) (retrieved 2026-08-09)	Functional-unit and intermediate-product framing; multifunctionality hierarchy; subdivision, physical and economic allocation; data quality and representativeness