Fertilizer and phosphorus industry – uses of phosphate rock Phosphate rock serves as a raw material for which of the following products?

Introduction / Context:
Phosphate rock (apatite) is the backbone of the phosphorus value chain. From this mineral, multiple downstream products are manufactured, feeding agriculture and chemical industries. Recognizing the breadth of applications clarifies plant flowsheets and raw material linkages.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Feedstock: phosphate rock (fluorapatite).
• Common downstream routes include acidulation and thermal reduction.
• Target products: phosphoric acid, elemental phosphorus, and superphosphates.

Concept / Approach:
Phosphoric acid is produced by digesting phosphate rock with sulfuric acid (wet process). Elemental phosphorus can be produced by the electric furnace process, reducing the rock with carbon and silica. Superphosphates are made by treating rock phosphate with acids (sulfuric to make single superphosphate; phosphoric to make triple superphosphate). Thus, all the listed products derive from phosphate rock.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Fertilizer industry overviews confirm these three are the primary industrial pathways from rock phosphate.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Each single option covers only one use; the comprehensive, correct selection is all of the above.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing elemental phosphorus production (thermal route) with wet-process acidulation. Both start from the same mineral but use different technologies.

Final Answer:
all (a), (b) and (c)