Production method and production apparatus for molybdenum hexafluoride
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for producing molybdenum hexafluoride result in impurities and clogging issues due to unreacted elemental metal and intermediate fluorides, leading to low purity and increased maintenance costs, while inefficient use of fluorine gas complicates the process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a tilted fixed bed reactor where metallic molybdenum is contacted with fluorine gas, with a condenser to separate molybdenum hexafluoride from unreacted fluorine, utilizing a temperature range that allows efficient separation and minimizing residual intermediates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fluorine gas is used in large excess to ensure complete reaction of molybdenum metal, then reaction completeness is improved, but safety hazards and scrubbing treatment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of molybdenum from solid metal to liquid alloy with gallium, which fundamentally alters the reaction characteristics and allows for more efficient fluorine utilization without excess gas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite liquid alloy system combining molybdenum and gallium, where gallium acts as a carrier that enables molybdenum to react more efficiently with fluorine gas, improving reaction completeness without requiring large excess of fluorine
2Productivity
If molybdenum metal is reacted with fluorine gas to produce molybdenum hexafluoride, then product yield is improved, but intermediate fluorides accumulate causing clogging and maintenance problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and reactivity parameters by forming a liquid alloy, which alters the reaction pathway and prevents the accumulation of solid intermediate fluorides that cause clogging in conventional processes
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid alloy system self-regulates the reaction process, allowing intermediates to remain in liquid or gaseous state and be carried away with the product gas flow, eliminating the need for separate removal systems and reducing maintenance requirements
3Manufacturing precision
If a condenser is added to separate molybdenum hexafluoride from unreacted fluorine gas, then product purity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition differences between molybdenum hexafluoride and unreacted fluorine gas, condensing the product while leaving the unreacted gas to be recycled, achieving separation and purity improvement through natural phase behavior rather than complex mechanical systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables high-purity molybdenum hexafluoride production with improved yield and reduced maintenance costs by efficiently utilizing fluorine gas and preventing clogging, thus enhancing the economic viability and operational efficiency of the process.
Implementation Method 1
When a fixed bed for mounting metallic molybdenum is tilted, liquid molybdenum pentafluoride generated in the fixed bed flows inside the fixed bed from an upstream side to a downstream side along the tilt of the fixed bed
Implementation Method 2
since the boiling points of molybdenum pentafluoride (final intermediate) and molybdenum hexafluoride (product) are 214° C. and 35° C. at normal pressure, respectively, it is possible to recover molybdenum hexafluoride as a high-purity gas by providing a condenser at the exit of the reactor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method of producing high-purity molybdenum hexafluoride in good yield and a reaction apparatus therefor. The method of producing molybdenum hexafluoride in a production apparatus for molybdenum hexafluoride, which production apparatus includes a fixed bed that is for mounting metallic molybdenum and that extends inside a reactor from an upstream side to a downstream side of the reactor, a fluorine (F2) gas inlet provided on the upstream side of the reactor, and a reaction product gas outlet provided on the downstream side of the reactor, comprises bringing metallic molybdenum into contact with fluorine (F2) gas, where the fixed bed for mounting metallic molybdenum is tilted.