Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Preparation of complexes of zirconium and hafnium tetrachlorides with phosphorus oxychloride

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5306552

This patent describes an improvement in a method for separating hafnium tetrachloride from zirconium tetrachloride where a complex of zirconium-hafnium tetrachlorides and phosphorus oxychloride is prepared from zirconium-hafnium tetrachlorides and the complex of zirconium-hafnium tetrachlorides and phosphorus oxychloride is introduced into a distillation column, which distillation column has a reboiler connected at the bottom and a reflux condenser connected at the top and where a hafnium tetrachloride enriched stream is taken from the top of the column and a zirconium enriched tetrachloride stream is taken from the bottom of the column. The improvement comprising: prepurifying the zirconium-hafnium tetrachlorides, prior to preparation of the complex and introduction of the complex into a distillation column, to substantially eliminate iron chloride from the zirconium hafnium tetrachlorides, whereby buildup or iron chloride in the distillation column and in the reboiler is substantially eliminated and the column can be operated in a continuous, stable and efficient manner.

Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
Patent Number(s):
US 4865693
Application Number:
PPN: US 7242574A
OSTI ID:
5306552
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English