Separation of gases containing SF6

US6454837B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• SOLVAY FLUOR und DERIVATE GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Michael Pittroff · Hannover, DE
• Thomas Schwarze · Hannover, DE
• Heinz-Joachim Belt · Burgwedel, DE
• Pierre Barthelemy · Jodoigne, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 20, 2001
• Grant date: Sep 24, 2002
• Expiry date: Feb 20, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02C20/30
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Gas mixtures of SF6 and N2, which have been used, for example, as an insulating filler gas for underground cables, for insulating-gas window panes or as a filler gas for car tires and SF6/air mixtures which have been used as a protective gas when casting magnesium can be separated if they are contacted with hydrophobic zeolites of a certain pore size as selective adsorption agent for sulfur hexafluoride. For a relatively high SF6 concentration, the mixture is preferably first subjected to a membrane separation process and the permeate is contacted with the adsorption agent. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the process. The process may also be used for separating SF6 from exhaust gases.