Effects of structure of fixed-bed fluorination reactor on oxygen in gadolinium fluoride

GdF3 was synthesized using Gd2O3 as raw material and HF as fluridizer in the fixed-bed gas fluorination reactor. Effects of radial dimensions of reactor, axial dimensions of reactor, distribution mode of HF and feeding mode on oxygen content in GdF3 were investigated by the variable-controlling method. And physical-chemical factors of influencing oxygen content were analyzed. Oxygen content in GdF3 from 4.62% reduced to 1.10% when reactor radius from 0 increased to 160 mm at 270°C. Oxygen content was 1.60% when radius was 200 mm at 270°C. Oxygen content in GdF3 from 0.02% increased to 0.08% when reactor radius from 0 increased to 160mm at 540°C. Oxygen content increased slightly with the increase of axial distance. High utilization rate of HF and low and uniform oxygen content were obtained when using the third distribution of HF. Oxygen content in GdF3 is stable when material thickness near the edges is smaller than that at center region.