Calcium hydrogen phosphate

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June 23, 2025, 10:20 AM

1.Chemical and Physical Properties

1.1 Chemical Identity

Chemical Name:
- Calcium Hydrogen Phosphate (Dicalcium Phosphate)
Common Names:
- DCP, Calcium Phosphate Dibasic, Secondary Calcium Phosphate
Molecular Formula:
- CaHPO₄ (anhydrous) or CaHPO₄·2H₂O (dihydrate)
Molecular Weight:
- Anhydrous: 136.06 g/mol
- Dihydrate: 172.09 g/mol
CAS Number:
- Anhydrous: 7757-93-9
- Dihydrate: 7789-77-7

1.2 Physical Properties

Appearance:
- White, odorless crystalline powder or granules
Crystal System:
- Anhydrous: Triclinic
- Dihydrate: Monoclinic
Density:
- Anhydrous: 2.92 g/cm³
- Dihydrate: 2.31 g/cm³
Melting Point: Decomposes before melting at approximately 400°C
Solubility:
- Water: Slightly soluble (0.02 g/100 mL at 25°C)
- Dilute acids: Readily soluble
- Alkaline solutions: Insoluble
pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 7.0-8.5 in saturated solution)
Particle Size: Typically 0.1-2.0 mm for feed applications

1.3 Chemical Properties

Stability:
- Stable under normal storage conditions
Hygroscopicity:
- Non-hygroscopic, does not absorb moisture readily
Thermal Behavior:
- Dihydrate loses water at 109°C to form anhydrous form
- Further heating leads to formation of calcium pyrophosphate
Chemical Reactivity:
- Soluble in acids forming calcium and phosphate ions
- Insoluble in alcohol and alkaline solutions
- Compatible with most feed ingredients

2.Production Techonlogies

2.1 Wet Process Method(Primary Commercial Process)

The most common production method uses phosphoric acid and lime as raw materials.

Raw Materials:
- Wet-process phosphoric acid (28-54% P₂O₅)
- Lime (calcium oxide, CaO) or limestone (calcium carbonate, CaCO₃)
- Process water
Chemical Reactions:
- With lime: H₃PO₄ + CaO → CaHPO₄ + H₂O
- With limestone: 2H₃PO₄ + CaCO₃ → Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ + CO₂ + H₂O
- Followed by: Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ + CaCO₃ → 2CaHPO₄ + CO₂ + H₂O
Process Steps:
- Acid Preparation: Phosphoric acid is diluted to required concentration
- Neutralization: Controlled addition of calcium source to achieve proper pH (6.5-7.5)
- Precipitation: Formation of DCP precipitate
- Aging: Allowing crystal growth and maturation
- Filtration: Separation of DCP from mother liquor
- Washing: Removal of impurities and excess acid
- Drying: Reduction of moisture content to 3-5%
- Grinding and Sizing: Achieving desired particle size distribution

2.2 Thermal Process Method

Uses high-purity thermal phosphoric acid for food and pharmaceutical grades.

Raw Materials:
- Thermal phosphoric acid (high purity)
- Precipitated calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide
Advantages:
- Higher purity, lower heavy metal content
Applications:
- Food grade and pharmaceutical applications

2.3 Bone Meal Processing(Traditional Method)

Source:
- Animal bones from meat processing
Process:
- Steam treatment, degreasing, grinding, and sterilization
Limitations:
- BSE concerns, variable composition, declining use
Current Status:
- Mostly replaced by synthetic DCP

2.4 Defluorination Process

Purpose:
- Removal of excess fluorine from phosphate rock-derived products
Methods:
- Steam treatment at high temperatures
- Chemical treatment with lime
- Thermal defluorination in rotary kilns
Requirement:
- Fluorine content must be below 0.18% for feed use

3.Applications

3.1 Animal Feed Industry(Primary Application -95%)

Poultry Nutrition:
- Essential for egg shell formation in laying hens
- Bone development in broiler chickens
- Metabolic functions and enzyme activation
- Typical inclusion rates: 0.5-2.0% of feed
Swine Nutrition:
- Critical for skeletal development in growing pigs
- Reproduction performance in breeding sows
- Prevents lameness and bone disorders
- Inclusion rates: 0.5-1.5% of feed
Ruminant Nutrition:
- Supplementation for high-producing dairy cows
- Growing cattle and sheep requirements
- Pasture-based systems with low phosphorus soils
- Typical inclusion: 0.2-1.0% of total ration
Aquaculture:
- Fish and shrimp feed formulations
- Bone and scale development
- Metabolic support in intensive farming systems
- Specialized marine and freshwater applications

3.2 Food Industry Applications(3-4%)

Food Additive (E341ii):
- Leavening agent in baking applications
- pH regulator and buffering agent
- Anti-caking agent in powdered foods
- Nutritional supplement in fortified foods
Specific Food Uses:
- Baking powders and cake mixes
- Breakfast cereals and flour fortification
- Infant formula and nutritional products
- Pharmaceutical tablet excipient

3.3 Industrial Applications (1-2%)

Ceramics and Glass:
- Flux material in ceramic glazes
- Opacity agent in glass production
- Dental and bone porcelain manufacturing
Chemical Industry:
- Intermediate for other phosphate chemicals
- Catalyst support material
- Flame retardant systems
Environmental Applications:
- Water treatment for phosphorus removal
- Soil remediation and heavy metal stabilization

4.Market Analysis

4.1 Global Market Overview

Market Size:
- Approximately 4-5 million metric tons annually
Market Value:
- $2.5-3.0 billion USD globally
Growth Rate:
- 3-4% CAGR driven by expanding livestock production
Regional Distribution:
- Asia-Pacific: 45% (China, India, Southeast Asia)
- Europe: 25% (major livestock producing countries)
- North America: 15% (USA, Canada)
- Latin America: 10% (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico)
- Others: 5%

4.2 Market Dynamics

Demand Drivers:
- Growing global meat consumption and protein demand
- Expansion of intensive livestock and poultry production
- Increasing awareness of animal nutrition optimization
- Aquaculture industry growth
- Feed efficiency and animal welfare requirements
Supply-Side Factors:
- Phosphate rock availability and quality
- Sulfuric acid costs for phosphoric acid production
- Energy costs for processing operations
- Environmental regulations and compliance costs
- Transportation and logistics costs
Market Challenges:
- Regulatory restrictions on phosphorus in animal waste
- Competition from alternative phosphorus sources
- Raw material price volatility
- Quality consistency and contamination issues
- Sustainability and environmental concerns

5.Upstream and Downstream Linkages

5.1 Upstream Linkages (Raw Materials and Supply Chain)

Phosphoric Acid Supply:
- Phosphate Rock Mining: Primary raw material source
  - Major suppliers: OCP (Morocco), Mosaic (USA), PhosAgro (Russia)
  - Quality requirements: Low fluorine, heavy metals content
- Wet-Process Phosphoric Acid Production:
  - Sulfuric acid requirement for rock acidulation
  - Integration with fertilizer phosphoric acid production
  - Purification processes for feed-grade applications
Calcium Sources:
- Limestone Mining: High-purity calcium carbonate sources
- Lime Production: Calcination of limestone to calcium oxide
- Precipitated Calcium Carbonate: For high-purity applications
- Quality Requirements: Low heavy metals, consistent composition
Supporting Materials and Services:
- Utilities: Steam, electricity, compressed air
- Water Treatment: Process water purification systems
- Filtration Equipment: Filter presses, centrifuges
- Drying Equipment: Rotary dryers, flash dryers
- Packaging Materials: Bulk bags, containers, pallets

5.2 Downstream Linkages (Markets and Distribution)

Feed Industry Integration:
- Feed Manufacturers:
  - Integrated poultry and livestock companies
  - Independent feed mills and cooperatives
  - Specialty aquaculture feed producers
  - Pet food manufacturers
Distribution Channels:
- Direct Sales: Large feed manufacturers and integrators
- Distributors and Traders: Regional feed ingredient suppliers
- Agricultural Cooperatives: Farmer-owned distribution networks
- Specialty Suppliers: Aquaculture and organic feed sectors
End-User Segments:
- Poultry Industry:
  - Broiler integrators (Tyson, JBS, Cargill)
  - Layer operations and egg producers
  - Turkey and waterfowl producers
- Swine Industry:
  - Integrated pork producers
  - Independent pig farmers
  - Breeding stock companies
- Dairy and Beef:
  - Commercial dairy operations
  - Beef feedlot operations
  - Range and pasture supplementation
- Aquaculture:
  - Salmon and fish farming operations
  - Shrimp farming enterprises
  - Specialized fish feed manufacturers
Value-Added Services:
- Technical Support: Animal nutritionist consultation
- Quality Assurance: Analytical testing and certification
- Logistics Services: Just-in-time delivery, bulk handling
- Custom Blending: Premix and mineral mix formulations
Regulatory and Quality Systems:
- Feed Safety Regulations: FDA, EU feed regulations compliance
- Quality Standards: ISO, HACCP, GMP certifications
- Traceability Systems: Supply chain tracking and documentation
- Sustainability Certifications: Responsible sourcing programs
Market Intelligence and Innovation:
- Research and Development: New product formulations
- Market Research: Feed industry trends and demands
- Technology Transfer: Processing improvements and efficiency
- Strategic Partnerships: Joint ventures and alliances