Apparatus and method for fluorine production

Abstract

Apparatus and a method for the generation of fluorine by the electrolysis of hydrogen fluoride are described. The apparatus comprises: a plurality of individual fluorine generating cassettes; said individual fluorine generating cassettes being operably connected to a fluorine gas distribution system for the remote use and consumption of said fluorine gas; said fluorine generating cassettes being individually isolatable from said gas distribution system and removable from the apparatus for remote maintenance.

1 . Apparatus for the generation of fluorine by the electrolysis of hydrogen fluoride, the apparatus comprising: 
 a plurality of individual fluorine generating cassettes; said individual fluorine generating cassettes being operably connected to a fluorine gas distribution system for the remote use and consumption of said fluorine gas; said fluorine generating cassettes being individually isolatable from said gas distribution system and removable from the apparatus for remote maintenance, as hereinbefore defined.    
     
     
         2 - 23 . (canceled)  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said fluorine generating cassettes are connectable to the apparatus by a valve mechanism for the isolation and disconnection of said fluorine generating cassettes from the apparatus.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein said valve mechanism includes a double isolation valve having a space therebetween, said space connectable to an extraction and scrubbing system.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the fluorine generating cassettes are installable within a common apparatus main enclosure.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein all fluorine generating cassettes are substantially identical to each other.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said fluorine generating cassettes are provided with wheels.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein each fluorine generating cassette is provided with an enclosure.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to  claim 26  wherein said main enclosure is connectable to extraction equipment and to a scrubbing system.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus according to  claim 29  wherein each fluorine generating cassette enclosure is connectable to extraction equipment and to a scrubbing system.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus according to  claim 29  wherein a fluorine generating cell within said fluorine generating cassette is fixed to said enclosure such that said enclosure provides a cathode connection to said cell.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus according to  claim 32  wherein said enclosure includes a framework having panelling.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus according to  claim 32  wherein said cathode connection is at 0 volts relative to earth.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one fluorine purification cassette through which the fluorine output of said fluorine generating cassettes is passed.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus according to  claim 35  further comprising at least one fluorine buffer cassette connected in a fluorine line downstream of said at least one fluorine purification cassette.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus according to  claim 36  wherein said buffer cassette holds compressed fluorine.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further including purging means to remove potentially reactive fluids from piping before fluorine is introduced thereinto.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is transportable as a unit by land or sea  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus according to  claim 39  wherein the overall size of the apparatus is at most that of a standard ISO container.  
     
     
         41 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein each of said individual fluorine generating cassettes are further provided with a power supply unit at least for electrolysis, fluorine purification, fluorine compression and a fluorine storage tank/buffer.  
     
     
         42 . A method for the operation and maintenance of an apparatus for producing fluorine by the electrolysis of hydrogen fluoride, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of fluorine generating cassettes operably connected to a fluorine gas distribution system for the remote use and consumption of the fluorine;    isolating any individual fluorine generating cassettes from the fluorine gas distribution system and from each other; and    disconnecting and removing the isolated fluorine generating cassette from the apparatus without interruption of supply of fluorine from remaining fluorine generating cassettes.    
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 42  further comprises the step of providing the fluorine generating cassettes with sufficient fluorine generating capacity such that a total demand for fluorine may be met by less than the total number of fluorine generating cassettes within said apparatus.  
     
     
         44 . The method according to either  claim 42  further comprises the step of removing an individual fluorine generating cassette from the apparatus and taking said cassette to a remote site for maintenance while still maintaining fluorine output to meet demand.  
     
     
         45 . The method according to  claim 42  further comprising the step of providing each individual fluorine generating cassette with a power supply at least for electrolysis, fluorine purification, fluorine compression and a fluorine storage tank/buffer.