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With the use of low-grade iron ores with high P content, slag with high P 2 O 5 content generated after dephosphorization is considered a great potential source of P. Because of the solubility difference between the solid solution and matrix phase, it is possible to extract the P-rich solid solution selectively from slag by leaching. The soluble P obtained is suitable to produce phosphate fertilizers. To achieve selective leaching of P and increase its dissolution ratio, the effects of the cooling rate and acid on dissolution of the slag in aqueous solutions at pH 5 and 7 were investigated. This study found that during solidification, slow cooling facilitates coarsening of the solid solution and formation of the magnesioferrite phase. The solid solution was dissolved preferentially. At pH 7, the air-cooled slag showed the highest dissolution ratio of P. When the pH was decreased to 5, slag dissolution was significantly promoted. As the cooling rate decreased, the dissolution ratio of P increased. Slow cooling not only enhanced dissolution of the solid solution but also suppressed dissolution of the matrix phase. Citric acid performed better in promoting dissolution of slag. At pH 5, almost all of the solid solution was dissolved from the furnace-cooled slag. However, the dissolution ratio of Fe was also high. When nitric acid was used, 66.8% of the solid solution was dissolved, without dissolution of large amounts of the matrix phase. After leaching, the P 2 O 5 content in the residue reduced and the Fe 2 O 3 content increased.

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An approach to leach phosphorus from slag was applied to commercial fertilizers made from steelmaking slag, which has relatively coarse grains. After leaching at pH 3 with citric acid, about 60% of the P 2 O 5 had been dissolved, but the dissolution ratio of MnO was less than 30%. The separation index, calculated from the dissolution ratio of P 2 O 5 divided by that of MnO, was 2.1. In addition, the dissolution ratio of the solid solution was 90% or greater. However, 25% or more of the matrix was also dissolved. To improve the selectivity of leaching, the mineralogical phases comprising the matrix were synthesized, and their leaching behaviors were investigated. The results indicate that it is important to eliminate the glassy phases and to change the valence state of iron in its oxides to 3 + to suppress the dissolution of the matrix. Finally, a synthesized slag, containing only Fe 2 O 3 as the only iron oxide, was prepared by slow cooling, and leaching tests were conducted. About 99% of the P was dissolved, but the dissolution ratio of Mn was less than 10%. In addition, the separation index increased to 14.1. In this case, the dissolution of the matrix was suppressed, and almost all the solid solution phase was dissolved.