Separation of zirconium and hafnium fluorides by the sublimation–sorption method

• Published in: Russian journal of non-ferrous metals Vol. 57; no. 5; pp. 412 - 418
• Main Authors: Rusakov, I. Yu, Buynovskiy, A. S., Sofronov, V. L., Ageeva, L. D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Allerton Press 01-08-2016
• Subjects: Chemistry and Materials Science; Materials Science; Metallic Materials; Metallurgy of Rare and Noble Metals; zirconium dioxide; hafnium concentrate; process cascade; purification with respect to hafnium; nuclear-pure zirconium tetrafluoride
• ISSN: 1067-8212; 1934-970X
• DOI: 10.3103/S106782121605014X

A preparation method of zirconium tetrafluoride (ZTF) of the nuclear degree of purity for one separation stage is proposed and confirmed experimentally. For this purpose, initial ZTF vapors should be passed inside the powderlike zirconium dioxide layer 140–150 mm in height or above its layer 1000–1100 mm in length. A process cascade for the fabrication of nuclear-pure ZTF and HTF with the hafnium content higher than 99% for one separation stage in the absence of process wastes is developed and calculated. It is shown that the proposed process cascade for the separation and concentration of ZTF and HTF for one stage makes it possible to prepare ZTF with a hafnium content up to 0.01 wt % from the initial ZTF with a hafnium concentration of 2.0 wt % and a hafnium concentrate with a hafnium content higher than 99%.