Conversion of zirconium sulfates to anhydrous zirconium tetrafluoride
Date
1955-08-18
Authors
Beyer, G.
Koerner, E.
Olson, E.
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Ames National Laboratory
Abstract
Increased interest in zirconium metal has resulted in attempts to develop cheaper processes for winning zirconium from its domestic ore zircon. One such process, now under development at the Ames Laboratory, consists of opening up zircon sand by caustic fusion and dehydrating the silica by sulfuric acid dissolution. Crystals of zirconium sulfate are then reacted with 70 per cent hydrofluoric acid to form hydrated zirconium fluoride, which is dried at elevated temperatures under an atmosphere of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. Anhydrous zirconium tetrafluoride can be bomb-reduced with calcium to yield ductile zirconium metal.