Abstract

MAKHOFANE, M.M. et al. Manufacturing of anhydrous zirconium tetrafluoride in a batch reactor from plasma-dissociated zircon and ammonium bifluoride. J. S. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall. [online]. 2012, vol.112, n.spe, pp.562-562. ISSN 2411-9717.

Anhydrous zirconium tetrafluoride can be used as a precursor for the manufacturing of nuclear-grade zirconium metal. This can be done by fluorinating plasma-dissociated zircon with ammonium bifluoride in a batch reactor. This paper describes the batch process. It was proved that anhydrous zirconium tetrafluoride can be manufactured by this route as confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The process shows potential for scaling up to the kilogram scale and possibly the tonnage scale.

Keywords : Zirconium tetrafluoride; zircon; plasma-dissociated zircon; PDZ..

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