SEDL / STP / STP824-EB / STP34459S



New Process for Zirconium and Hafnium Separation

Moulin, L
Technical director, Jarrie plant manager, and process engineering manager, Companie Européene Du Zirconium, CEZUS, Paris,

Thouvenin, P
Technical director, Jarrie plant manager, and process engineering manager, Companie Européene Du Zirconium, CEZUS, Paris,

Brun, P
Technical director, Jarrie plant manager, and process engineering manager, Companie Européene Du Zirconium, CEZUS, Paris,


Pages: 8    Published: Jan 1984


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Abstract

The separation of hafnium and zirconium, required for nuclear use of zirconium, is generally performed by liquid-liquid extraction in organic solvents. The paper describes a new process based on extractive distillation of zirconium chloride (ZrCl4) and hafnium chloride (HfCl4) in a solvent made of molten potassium chloride-aluminum chloride (KCl-AlCl3) mixture above 350°C at atmospheric pressure. The corresponding process is now in full-scale industrial production.


Keywords:
hafnium separation, extractive distillation, pure zirconium tetrachloride, zirconium sponge

Paper ID: STP34459S
Committee/Subcommittee: B10.02
DOI: 10.1520/STP34459S
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