Process for the production of nitrogen trifluoride

摘要

The present invention is directed to an improved reaction process that allows for the achievement of excellent NF 3 production yields, while minimizing the amount of unreacted fluorine exiting with the process gases and minimizing the amount of liquid melt waste (HF/NH 3 ) produced by the process. The basic NF 3 process resides in reacting F 2 with an ammonium ion source, e.g., ammonium acid fluoride, under conditions for forming NF 3 . The improvement in the process comprises: introducing F 2 and said ammonium ion source cocurrently and downflow through a packed column or monolith column at a first temperature; reacting said F 2 and ammonium ion source in said column; and, removing a mixture of NF 3 and byproducts from said column at a second temperature higher than said first temperature.