PROGRESS: Completed Project	PROJECT REF: PA182
PROJECT TITLE: Removal of Arsenic from the Industrial Phosphorus by Zone Melting Technique
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: A novel zone melting method to purify industrial phosphorus is introduced. Since there is no chemical solvent for phosphorus, chemical extraction purification does not work for arsenic purification. Zone melting is a method for removing impurities from solid materials. This method with a special setup is now adopted in the purification of phosphorous and can reduce the arsenic concentration to below 100ppm. Phosphorus is an essential element for living creatures. It particularly involves in energy production in muscle contractions. Therefore, addition of suitable amounts of phosphorus to food and forage has been suggested. However, industrial solid phosphorus contains too high arsenic concentration(80 - 100 ppm) that can cause severe poisoning to human and livestock, especially when arsenic is associated with increased risk of several types of cancer. Purification of industrial phosphorus is of great importance for food industry. Potential Applications: - Purification of industrial phosphorus for food, medicine, and forage industry Advantages over Present Technologies: There is not any known method for the purification of solid phosphorus.
FOCUS AREA(S): Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials
KEYWORDS: purification, industrial phosphorus, medicine industry, forage industry
MODE OF COLLABORATION: Technology Licensing, Further R&D Collaboration
STATUS PATENT: Patent_Pending	PATENT NO: NA
ORGANIZATION: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology R and D Corporation Limited
CONTACT PERSON: Shirley Woo	EMAIL: cawoosw@ust.hk
TEL: (852)-23587918	FAX: (852)-23582751
WEBSITE: http://rdc.ust.hk/	DATE: 03/01/2005