Separation of Zirconium and Hafnium Fluorides by the Sublimation–Sorption Method

Abstract—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%.