Extraction of gallium and/or arsenic from gallium arsenide

摘要

Extracting gallium and/or arsenic from materials comprising gallium arsenide is generally disclosed. In some example embodiments, a material comprising gallium arsenide may be exposed to a first heating condition to form a first exhaust. The first exhaust may be directed to an arsenic collection bed including aluminum, which may form aluminum arsenide. The material including gallium arsenide may be exposed to a second heating condition and/or a vacuum may be applied, which may form a second exhaust. The second exhaust may be directed to a gallium collection bed including aluminum, which may form gallium alloys of aluminum.

主权项

1. A system for processing a material comprising gallium arsenide, the system comprising:
one or more furnaces configured to heat the material comprising gallium arsenide to a first heating condition of about 415 degrees C. to less than about 1100 degrees C. and to a second heating condition of above about 1100 degrees C.; an arsenic collection bed housing an arsenic collection medium comprising aluminum, wherein the aluminum is configured to react with arsenic, and wherein the arsenic collection bed is fluidicly coupled to the one or more furnaces to receive a first exhaust produced by the material undergoing the first heating condition; a gallium collection bed housing a gallium collection medium comprising aluminum, wherein the aluminum is configured to react with gallium, and wherein the gallium collection bed is fluidicly coupled to the one or more furnaces to receive a second exhaust produced by the material undergoing the second heating condition; and a vacuum apparatus fluidicly coupled to the gallium collection bed and configured to draw a vacuum on the one or more furnaces during the second heating condition; further comprising an arsenic collection bed isolation valve fluidicly interposing the one or more furnaces and the arsenic collection bed; and a gallium collection bed isolation valve fluidicly interposing the one or more furnaces and the gallium collection bed.