PROCESS FOR SEPARATING HAFNIUM TETRACHLORIDE FROM ZIRCONIUM TETRACHLORIDE

摘要

P Zirconium tetrachloride containing naturally occurring hafnium tetrachloride is dissolved in a molten salt and reduced in a first electrolysis phase to produce a zirconium trichloride having a lower hafnium content than that of tetrachloride. zirconium at the cathode. In a second electrolysis phase, the zirconium tetrachloride is reduced, using the first cathode on which the zirconium trichloride has been produced as an anode, to give zirconium trichloride having a lower hafnium content on the other cathode. and simultaneously releasing gaseous zirconium tetrachloride at the anode under high pressure. /P