Solid Reactants for Fluorine Gas Generators

A program has been conducted to explore the possibility of using solid reactants, other than those currently under consideration, for the preparation of fluorine equivalent gas F, F2, or NF3 and to evaluate the potential of promising candidates. A list of 32 candidates was compiled which was reduced to 3, KBrF6, KClF4, and LiMnF5, by applying pre-established selection criteria based on toxicity, cost, safety, vapor pressure or melting point, and others. Excellent properties and performance were obtained from a formulation based on KBrF6 yielding approximately 13 by weight equivalent fluorine 18 percent by weight active fluorine with a potential of over 25 percent active fluorine through composition variation. This approach was abandoned owing to the lack of information related to the effect of the species BrF on HF-DF laser output. Similarly, although equally good properties and performance could be obtained, KClF4 formulation evaluation was discontinued when it became known that CIF has a deleterious effect. The third candidate, LiMnF5, offers the possibility of the production of pure fluorine albeit at relatively low yield about 10 weight percent and investigations of its formulations have been pursued.