High Energy Fuels Projects. Volume 1. Preliminary Design for a Large Scale Borane Plant
Abstract
The preliminary design of versatile 9.5 ton per day (nominal) high energy fuels plant in corporates new processes demonstrated on the prepilot and pilot plant levels. The simultaneous or virtually exclusive production of diborane, decaborane or HEF-3 is possible utilizing a direct, economical route and proven, refinery like procedures. Boron trichloride is directly reduced with hydrogen to form dichloroborane in a silver-lined, catalytic reactor operating at 1275 F. and 250 psig. The dichloroborane is separated, concentrated and disproportionated to form diborane in conventional aion and distillation operations. Diborane is pyrolyzed to form pentaborane and/or decaborane in a mild steel reactor at 575 F. and 75 psig. The reactor gases contain diborane and hydrogen in the mole ratio of 1 to 7 and are quenched after 2 seconds exposure to the high temperature in an inert solvent carrier, cyclohexane. HEF-3 is produced by the continuous alkylation of decaborane in cyclohexane solution at 150 F. and 0 psig. Ethyl chloride is the alkylating agent and aluminum chloride is the catalyst. The proportion of di-, tri-, and higher alkylated decaboranes formed is controlled by limiting to 45 per cent the per pass conversion of decaborane to alkylated product.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0337608
Entities
People
- T. W. Clapper