The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation Limited

3m Innovative Properties Company

Northwest University

Izak Jacobus Van Der Walt

Klaus Hintzer

Johannes Theodorus Nel

Alfred Teo Grunenberg

Werner Schwertfeger

Gernot Löhr

Gerald Lee Bauer

Sanette Marx

Henning Manfred Krieg

Odolphus Simon Leo Bruinsma

Marco Le Roux

A process for recovering a gaseous component comprising at least one fluorine-containing compound from a mixture of gaseous compounds. The process includes, in a separation zone (), bringing a mixture of gaseous constituents, including at least one fluorine-containing constituent, into contact with a gas permeable separating medium () comprising a polymeric compound, so that a first gaseous component comprising at least one fluorine-containing constituent is separated from a second gaseous component comprising the balance of the gaseous constituents. The first gaseous component is withdrawn from the separation zone as a permeate () or a retentate, while the second gaseous component is withdrawn from the separation zone as the retentate (), when the first gaseous component is withdrawn as the permeate, and as the permeate, when the first gaseous component is withdrawn as the retentate.

Recovery of a gaseous component from a mixture of gaseous compounds

A process for depolymerizing fluoropolymers includes continuously feeding a solid fluoropolymer, in particulate form, into a horizontal cylindrical first reaction zone. The fluoropolymer particles enter the first reaction zone at one end. Within the first reaction zone, a central axle from which protrudes at least one paddle, continuously rotates. The rotating paddle serves to advance the fluoropolymer particles along the reaction zone while agitating them. As the fluoropolymer particles pass along the reaction zone, they are subjected to an elevated temperature, thereby depolymerizing the fluoropolymer into a fluoro-containing compound-rich gas phase. A residual solids phase is withdrawn at the other end of the first reaction zone, as is the gas phase. Optionally, the gas phase is passed through a second reaction zone which is also at an elevated temperature. The gas phase is quenched, thereby to recover the fluoro-containing compounds as gaseous products.

Depolymerization of fluoropolymers

A method of treating a fluorocarbon feedstock includes generating, in a high temperature zone, an electrical arc between at least one cathode and at least one anode, generating in the high temperature zone and by means of the electrical arc and a plasma gas, an upwardly burning thermal plasma having a tail flame, allowing a solid particulate fluorocarbon feedstock comprising at least on fluorocarbon compound to form a reactive thermal mixture with the thermal plasma tail flame, with the fluorocarbon compound dissociating into at least one fluorocarbon precursor or reactive species, and cooling the reactive thermal mixture to form, from the fluorocarbon precursor of reactive species, at least one more desirable fluorocarbon compound.

Treatment of fluorocarbon feedstocks

A method of treating a fluorocarbon feedstock includes generating, in a high temperature zone, an electrical arc between at least one cathode and at least one anode, generating in the high temperature zone and by means of the electrical arc and a plasma gas, a thermal plasma having a tail flame, allowing a fluorocarbon feedstock comprising at least one fluorocarbon compound to form a reactive thermal mixture with the thermal plasma tail flame, with the fluorocarbon compound dissociating into at least one fluorocarbon precursor or reactive species having fewer carbon atoms than the fluorocarbon compound, and cooling the reactive thermal mixture to form, from the fluorocarbon precursor or reactive species, a fluorocarbon product.

A method of treating a fluorocarbon feedstock includes radio frequency induction heating of a zone of a reaction chamber to a temperature not exceeding 950&deg; C. The feedstock heats up in the heating zone, and the reaction chamber pressure and heating zone temperature are chosen so that a fluorocarbon compound present in the feedstock dissociates or depolymerizes into a more desired fluorocarbon compound. A hot product gas, which includes the more desired fluorocarbon compound, is formed and then quenched to stabilize the more desired fluorocarbon compound.

Growing community of inventors

Krugersdorp, South Africa

Izak Jacobus Van Der Walt