Manufacture of aluminium fluoride of high density and anhydrous hydrofluoric acid from fluosilicic acid

Abstract

New process technologies are disclosed to manufacture aluminium fluoride of high density and anhydrous hydrofluoric acid starting from fluosilicic acid as raw material which is obtained during acidulation of phosphate rock in the manufacture of phosphatic fertilizers. An overview of the relevant process technologies used commercially to consume this fluosilicic acid is provided in this paper. The new process technologies which shall be implemented to satisfy market demand in fluorochemicals (production of aluminium fluoride of high density from fluosilicic acid and production of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid from fluosilicic acid) and overcome some technical issues as well are described. © 2012 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.