PROCEDIMENTO PER LA PRODUZIONE DI ACIDO FLUORIDRICO

An improved method for producing hydrogen fluoride from fluoride bearing ores, such as fluorospar and fluorapatite, by reaction of the ore as a slurry in fluorosulfonic acid. The slurry is heated by the exothermic heat of the reaction to vaporize volatile phosphorous compounds and substantial quantities of hydrogen fluoride. The calcium fluoride is substantially reacted to form hydrogen fluoride. High silica fluorospar ores can be used since silicon tetrafluoride is not formed with fluorosulfonic acid. Another feature provides for addition of calcium fluoride to the slurry to react with the by-product sulfuric acid in the residual solids to eliminate the sulfuric acid recovery step in the process. Hydrogen fluoride produced is recovered, together with the hydrogen fluoride produced from the hydrolysis or pyrolysis of the intermediate fluorophosphorous compounds. Additionally, at least a portion of the hydrogen fluoride can be reacted with sulfur trioxide to form fluorosulfonic acid for makeup in the process.