Fluorine gas generator

Abstract

A fluorine gas generator for generating fluorine gas by electrolysis of an electrolytic bath comprising a hydrogen fluoride-containing mixed molten salt in which generator the electrolytic bath will not corrode the upstream line even upon interruption of HF feeding or in case of emergency is provided. The generator has a hydrogen fluoride gas feed line for feeding hydrogen fluoride gas into the electrolytic bath, a first automatic valve disposed on the hydrogen fluoride gas feed line and capable of being closed on the occasion of interruption of hydrogen fluoride gas feeding, and an inert gas substitution means for eliminating the hydrogen fluoride gas remaining in the line on the side downstream from the first automatic valve on the hydrogen fluoride gas feed line and substituting an inert gas therefor when hydrogen fluoride gas feeding is interrupted.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fluorine gas generator for generating fluorine gas by electrolyzing an electrolytic bath comprising a hydrogen fluoride-containing mixed molten salt which generator is equipped with: 
 a hydrogen fluoride gas feed line for feeding hydrogen fluoride gas into the electrolytic bath,    a first automatic valve disposed on said hydrogen fluoride gas feed line and capable of being closed on the occasion of interruption of hydrogen fluoride gas feeding, and    an inert gas substitution means for eliminating the hydrogen fluoride gas remaining in said line on the side downstream from said first automatic valve on said hydrogen fluoride gas feed line and substituting an inert gas therefor on the occasion of interruption of hydrogen fluoride gas feeding.    
     
     
         2 . The fluorine gas generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said inert gas substitution means comprises 
 a detecting means for detecting interruption of feeding of the hydrogen fluoride gas,    an inert gas feed line for feeding the inert gas to said hydrogen fluoride gas feed line on the side downstream from said first automatic valve, and    a second automatic valve disposed on said inert gas feed line and operated in association with said detecting means to feed the inert gas into said line on the side downstream from said first automatic valve on said hydrogen fluoride gas feed line.    
     
     
         3 . The fluorine gas generator according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said inert gas feed line is provided with an inert gas storage tank for storing the inert gas to be fed.  
     
     
         4 . A fluorine gas generator for generating fluorine gas by electrolyzing an electrolytic bath comprising a hydrogen fluoride-containing mixed molten salt which generator is equipped with: 
 a hydrogen fluoride gas feed line for feeding hydrogen fluoride gas into the electrolytic bath,    a first automatic valve disposed on said hydrogen fluoride gas feed line and capable of being closed on the occasion of interruption of hydrogen fluoride gas feeding, and    an inert gas substitution means for eliminating the hydrogen fluoride gas remaining in said line on the side downstream from said first automatic valve on said hydrogen fluoride gas feed line and substituting an inert gas therefor in case of emergency in the fluorine gas generator.    
     
     
         5 . The fluorine gas generator according to  claim 4 , wherein said inert gas feed line is provided with an inert gas storage tank for storing the inert gas to be fed.