Pilot testing of chemical absorbers for protection units of vacuum pumps in collectors of a condensation-evaporation unit at a separation plant

This study investigates evacuation schemes for the collector of a condensation-evaporation unit used in a separation plant for treating fluorine-containing gases at pressures of up to 1.3 kPa. The results demonstrate that the efficiency of chemical absorbers depends on process conditions. The scheme employing alkaline absorbers exhibits over fivefold greater efficiency compared to the standard system using activated aluminum oxide. The operability of the pump is shown to correlate with the fluoride ion content in the vacuum oil. When alkaline absorbers are used, the accumulation rate of fluoride ions in the oil is 0.61 g/day, which is nearly 50 times lower than with activated aluminum oxide. Furthermore, the modified mercerized wood used as a chemical absorber exhibits a technological advantage over conventional lime-based absorbers. Figures: 3; Tables: 5; References: 7.