Measurement of Vapor Pressure of Molten ZnCl2 and FeCl2 by the Transpiration Method

Abstract

Chloride-based fluxes such as NaCl-KCl are used in the refining of Al melt. The vapor pressure of the chloride is one of the fundamental pieces of information required for such processes, and is generally high at elevated temperatures. In order to measure the vapor pressure for chlorides, the apparatus for the transpiration method was assembled in the present study. The vapor pressure of ZnCl2 and FeCl2, which is related with the process of aluminum refining and the recovery of useful elements from iron and steel industry by-products, was also measured. In the measurement of vapor pressure by the transpiration method, the powder of ZnCl2 or FeCl2 in a alumina boat was loaded in the uniform zone of the furnace with a stream of Ar. The weight loss of ZnCl2 and FeCl2 after holding was measured by changing the flow rate of Ar gas (10 sccm -230 sccm), and the partial pressures of ZnCl2 and FeCl2 were calculated. The partial pressures within a certain range were found to be independent of the flow rate of Ar at different temperatures. The vapor pressures were measured in the temperature range of 758-901K for ZnCl2 and 963-983K for FeCl2. The measured results agreed well with those in the literature.