Removal of impurities from zirconium tetrafluoride using metallic zirconium chips

Abstract

The sublimation refining of zirconium tetrafluoride (ZTF) from impurities in the presence of metallic zirconium chips is studied. It is shown that, in the presence of metallic zirconium chips, the contents of aluminum, nickel, oxygen, chromium, iron, and silicon impurities in a desublimate decrease and the rate of ZTF sublimation increases. The method of refining is tested under laboratory and pilot conditions and can be recommended for commercial application.