PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN FLUORIDE AND CALCIUM SULFATE

In the production of hydrofluoric acid and calcium sulfate by subjecting sulfuric acid and fluorspar to a partial preliminary reaction in a preliminary reaction zone and the reaction is completed in an after-reaction zone at a temperature from about 100 DEG to 500 DEG C, the improvement which comprises effecting the preliminary reaction by circulating preliminary reaction product through said preliminary reaction zone, adding to the circulating preliminary reaction product at spaced locations in the preliminary reaction zone sulfuric acid preheated to a temperature of about 80 DEG to 200 DEG C and fluorspar preheated to a temperature of about 400 DEG to 800 DEG C, removing from said preliminary reaction zone gaseous hydrofluoric acid and a substantially dry mixture of calcium sulfate, unreacted sulfuric acid and fluorspar, and passing said dry mixture of calcium sulfate, unreacted sulfuric acid and fluorspar to said after-reaction zone. Only some of the necessary sulfuric acid may be supplied to the preliminary reaction zone and the balance supplied to the after-reaction zone. Heating of the preliminary reaction zone can be external or materials can be added which will react exothermically, e.g. SO3 to react with water in the system, CaO to react with sulfuric acid. A suitable apparatus is provided, comprising two parallel troughs connected at their ends by overflows and with oppositely rotating screws to circulate the contents. Means are provided for introducing reactants at spaced locations and for removing a mixture of product plus unreacted starting materials.