Regeneration of caustic potash solution used for the disposal of gaseous fluorides

Abstract

A system for the disposal of fluorine and gaseous hydrogen fluoride was developed as part of an experimental 1500 A fluorine cell facility used to investigate the production of fluorine. The design, operation and performance of the plant have been described in detail by Royston et al.1,2. The cell produced fluorine and hydrogen at 0.24 & s-1 with both gases containing approximately l0 vol.% hydrogen fluoride. These off—gases were disposed of continuously by scrubbing with 5-8.5 wt.% caustic potash solution which was regenerated by reaction with lime on a batch basis. This paper outlines the selection of the system and describes its operation and performance.