P₂O₅ percentage in the phosphoric acid produced by wet process is about

ANS:B - 30

The P2O5 percentage in the phosphoric acid produced by the wet process typically ranges from 50% to 52%. Explanation:

1. Wet Process for Phosphoric Acid: The wet process is a commonly used method for the production of phosphoric acid from phosphate rock. It involves the digestion of phosphate rock with sulfuric acid to produce phosphoric acid.
2. Phosphate Rock Dissolution: In the wet process, phosphate rock is first digested with sulfuric acid, resulting in the formation of a mixture containing phosphoric acid, calcium sulfate (gypsum), and other impurities.
3. Concentration of Phosphoric Acid: Following the digestion step, the phosphoric acid solution is usually concentrated through evaporation or other methods to increase the concentration of P2O5.
4. Typical P2O5 Content: In the concentrated phosphoric acid obtained from the wet process, the P2O5 content typically ranges from about 50% to 52%. This means that for every 100 grams of phosphoric acid produced, approximately 50 to 52 grams are P2O5.
5. Applications: Phosphoric acid with a high P2O5 concentration is widely used in various industries, including agriculture (as a fertilizer ingredient), food and beverage (as an acidity regulator and flavoring agent), and industrial applications (such as in the production of detergents and metal surface treatment).