Pyrochemical separation of zirconium and hafnium tetra-chlorides using fused salt extractive distillation process

The paper presents studies on a nonaqueous pyrochemical process for the sep aration of tetrachlorides vapour of zirconium and hafnium during its contac t with a mixture of molten KCl-AlCl3 salt which acts as a solvent for prefe rential absorption of zirconium tetrachloride. The results of the experimen ts carried out on a 100 mm sieve plate extractive distillation column and t he experience on the operating the system are presented. Experimental findi ngs revealed the feasibility of separation of hafnium tetrachloride up to f ifty percent in a twelve stage sieve plate distillation column. Also presen ted in this paper are some of the critical design aspects for a successful operation of a demonstration plant.