Chapter 4, Problem 4.48PAE

4.48 Elemental phosphorous is used in the semiconductor industry. It can be obtained from an ore called fluoroapatite via reaction with SiO₂ and C:

   ${\text{4 Ca}}_{\text{5}}{\left({\text{PO}}_{\text{4}}\right)}_{\text{3}}\text{F }+{\text{ 18 SiO}}_{\text{2}}\text{ + 3}0\text{ C }\to {\text{ 3 P}}_{\text{4}}\text{ + 3}0\text{ CO }+{\text{ 18 CaSiO}}_{\text{3}}{\text{ + 2 CaF}}_{\text{2}}$

Suppose a particular semiconductor production plant requires 1500 kg of P₄. If the recovery of P₄ from this reaction is 73% efficient, what mass of fluoroapatite is needed?