Abstract: A process for extracting hydrogen fluoride from fluorine containing materials includes countercurrently contacting the materials with steam having a plane of rotation relatively perpendicular to the direction of flow of the material. An apparatus for the extraction of hydrogen fluoride from fluorine containing materials includes a rotary kiln having a first zone wherein a steam-air mixture countercurrently contacts the materials in an oxidation step, a second zone wherein an oxygen containing gas is tangentially injected into the kiln to provide complete combustion of carbon containing materials, a third zone wherein a steam stream countercurrently contacts the materials in a reducing step and means for providing a plane of rotation to the steam which is relatively perpendicular to the direction of flow of the material.

Abstract: A method of recovering fluorine, e.g. as hydrogen fluoride, from wastes of aluminum electrolysis furnaces, chemisorbents, adsorbents or absorbents, etc. in which the fluorine-containing material is subjected to pyrohydrolysis in an expanded fluid bed and the HF-containing gas is subjected to condensation or scrubbing for the removal of the HF therefrom. According to the invention, the exhaust gases from the fluidized bed are cooled by direct contact with solids which can be circulated in a separate cycle and are themselves cooled in a cooler, e.g. by contact with gas which is to be fed to the expanded fluidized bed. The circulated solids thus allow recovery of the sensible heat of the gas without diluting it.

Abstract: A process for extracting hydrogen fluoride from fluorine containing materials includes countercurrently contacting the materials with steam having a plane of rotation relatively perpendicular to the direction of flow of the material. An apparatus for the extraction of hydrogen fluoride from fluorine containing materials includes a rotary kiln having a first zone wherein a steam-air mixture countercurrently contacts the materials in an oxidation step, a second zone wherein an oxygen containing gas is tangentially injected into the kiln to provide complete combustion of carbon containing materials, a third zone wherein a steam stream countercurrently contacts the materials in a reducing step and means for providing a plane of rotation to the steam which is relatively perpendicular to the direction of flow of the material.