Process for the direct production of germanium tetrachloride from hydrated germanate-containing solids using gaseous hydrogen chloride

摘要

The invention relates to a system and method for the recovery of germanium from the Modified Chemical Vapor Deposition (MCVD) processing wastes by chemical conversion and recovery of germanium from the solid cake product. In the present method, the direct reaction of gaseous hydrogen chloride with the recovered materials effects the rapid and complete chlorination of the germanates, yielding germanium tetrachloride. The germanium tetrachloride product is completely volatilized and removed from the mixture during the exothermic process.