UKZN researchers in the Discipline of Chemical Engineering have invented a novel method for recovering Hexafluoropropylene (HFP) and Hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) from a liquid mixture. HFPO is typically produced from the oxidation of hexafluoropropylene and in the process only partial conversion of the HFP into HFPO takes place. The resultant product comprises a mixture of desired HFPO and unreacted undesired HFP.
The HPF/HFPO separation technology utilizes a novel method to extract higher valued HFPO and to recycle the unreacted HFP, thus recovering high purity HFPO products and a high purity HFP product. The invention provides a process for recovering the desired components from a liquid mixture while utilizing a less hazardous method. This novel process includes purifying the gaseous product which leads to the recovery as separate components, hexafluoropropylene, stripping agent and entrained hexafluoropropylene oxide.
Principal Investigator: Dr David Lockhat
