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2024
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Applications and Safety of Fluorine Gas
Source:
The major driving factor for the large-scale industrial application of elemental fluorine is uranium isotope separation, which is the main use of fluorine. The separation of uranium-235 isotope from natural uranium is the foundation of the atomic energy industry, and uranium hexafluoride is the key material for the separation of uranium-235 isotope. Currently, the production technology of uranium hexafluoride can only use elemental fluorine as the fluorinating agent.
(1) Isotope Separation
The driving force behind the large-scale industrial application of elemental fluorine is undoubtedly uranium isotope separation, which is the main use of fluorine. The separation of uranium-235 isotope from natural uranium is the foundation of the atomic energy industry, and uranium hexafluoride is the key material for the separation of uranium-235 isotopes. The production technology of uranium hexafluoride still relies on elemental fluorine as a fluorinating agent.
After World War II, the demand for nuclear fuel increased rapidly in various countries, leading to a rapid growth in fluorine production.
(2) Oxidizer for Rocket Propellants
With the rapid development of aerospace technology, human activities in space exploration have become increasingly frequent. Rockets play an indispensable role as the transport vehicles for spaceflight. Rockets require power to launch, which comes from the combustion of propellants, and elemental fluorine acts as a strong oxidizer in the combustion process.
(3) Used for Chemical Preparation
1. Synthesis of Fluorinating Agents with Special Uses
Using the property of elemental fluorine to react with almost all elements, various fluorinating agents with different uses can be produced. For example, chlorine trifluoride, chlorine pentafluoride, bromine trifluoride, iodine pentafluoride, cobalt trifluoride, antimony pentafluoride, silver difluoride, boron trifluoride, arsenic trifluoride, and arsenic pentafluoride. These fluorinating agents are milder than elemental fluorine and can be used for the preparation of many organic and inorganic fluorides that require controlled fluorination.
2. Production of Sulfur Hexafluoride Gas
Elemental fluorine reacts with elemental sulfur to produce sulfur hexafluoride, which has excellent heat resistance and chemical stability, as well as very high electrical insulation properties. It is widely used as an arc-extinguishing medium in high-voltage electrical appliances and electronic devices.
3. Preparation of Organic Fluorides
Fully fluorinated oils or perfluorinated fatty substances made by thoroughly fluorinating hydrocarbons are key materials in nuclear fuel production. By using nitrogen-diluted fluorine gas, many fluorinated organic compounds can be produced under controlled reactions, such as hexafluoroethane, octafluoropropane, and other intermediates for pharmaceuticals and pesticides, refrigerants, fluoropolymers, and plasma etchants.
4. Production of Nitrogen Trifluoride
Fluorine gas reacts with nitrogen-containing compounds such as NH3, NH4F, XHF, and (NH4)3AlF6 under certain conditions to produce nitrogen trifluoride. The special physicochemical properties of nitrogen trifluoride allow it to be used as a rocket propellant, etching agent, and cleaning agent in semiconductor chip manufacturing processes.
(4) Preparation of Fluorinated Graphite
This is a type of non-stoichiometric solid fluorocarbon compound that can be obtained by directly fluorinating graphite or carbon. Fluorinated graphite is an excellent solid lubricant and a cathode material for high-energy batteries.
(5) Preparation of Fluorinated Asphalt
Inspired by the research on organic fluorination and fluorinated graphite, researchers began studying the fluorination modification of asphalt. Fluorinated asphalt is endowed with many new special properties, some of which surpass those of related organic fluorides. It has a lower surface energy than polytetrafluoroethylene, making it an excellent hydrophobic and oil-resistant material while maintaining the softening ability of asphalt and its solubility in semi-solvents. This provides the necessary processability for large-scale utilization and makes it a product with significant development and utilization value.
(6) Surface Fluorination of Polymers
Using a low concentration fluorine-nitrogen mixed gas instead of air to produce polyolefin plastic containers results in a product with a layer of fluorocarbon compound film on the inner wall, significantly reducing the permeability to organic solvents. This can be used for motor vehicle fuel tanks, packaging containers for fragrances and flavors, and packaging containers for highly corrosive chemicals.
(7) Working Medium for Excimer Lasers
A mixture of fluorine and inert gases such as argon and krypton can be used as the working medium for excimer lasers, which can be used for the treatment of myopia and has been promoted in various hospitals.
(8) Used for Cleaning CVD Chambers in Semiconductor Manufacturing Processes
Since fluorine gas does not cause greenhouse effects, using on-site production methods to generate fluorine gas instead of fluorinated compounds or bottled fluorine gas for cleaning CVD reaction chambers has great market potential in the semiconductor field. The fluorine-based cleaning method does not produce fluorinated compounds when cleaning chemical deposition chambers, and generating fluorine gas is also very convenient. This has drawn widespread attention to the selection of new generation cleaning materials. Previously, fluorine gas was transported to the site via high-pressure cylinders, which could not be promoted due to cost, handling, and safety issues. On-site fluorine generators produce fluorine gas at low pressure, which can solve safety and stable supply issues, providing a feasible alternative for the semiconductor industry.
Safe Use
Since fluorine is a highly toxic element with strong corrosive effects on the eyes and respiratory mucosa, operators should wear gloves, outerwear, and boots made of neoprene when using equipment containing fluorine gas, as well as transparent masks made of highly fluorinated polymers. Additionally, the workshop should have a good ventilation system.
Leakage Handling: Quickly evacuate the leakage contaminated area, move personnel to an upwind location, and immediately isolate the area, strictly limiting access. Cut off the source of ignition. It is recommended that emergency responders wear self-contained positive pressure respirators and protective clothing. Enter the site from an upwind position. Cut off the leakage source as much as possible. Ensure reasonable ventilation to accelerate diffusion. Use water spray to dilute and dissolve. Build dikes or dig pits to contain large amounts of wastewater generated. If possible, use exhaust fans to send residual gas or leaked gas to a scrubber or a fume hood connected to the scrubber. Leaking containers should be properly handled, repaired, and inspected before reuse. If the leak comes from the user system, the cylinder valve should be closed, and the pressure must be released and purged with inert gas before repairs.
Evacuation Distance in Leakage Accidents
In the event of a hazardous chemical leakage accident, timely emergency evacuation of surrounding personnel and residents must be carried out.
The evacuation distance is divided into two types: the emergency isolation zone is a circle with a radius of emergency isolation, and non-accident handling personnel are not allowed to enter; the downwind evacuation distance refers to the area that requires protective measures, meaning that residents within this area are at risk of harmful exposure. Effective measures such as evacuation and sealing windows should be taken, and communication should be maintained to follow instructions. Due to the lesser mixing effect of meteorological conditions on toxic gas clouds at night compared to during the day, toxic gas clouds are less likely to disperse, making the downwind evacuation distance relatively farther at night than during the day. The distinction between night and day is based on the rise and fall of the sun.
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