Patent ID: 6156944
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A process for separating by extraction a hydrofluorocarbon and hydrogen fluoride from an azeotropic mixture comprising a hydrofluorocarbon containing at least three carbon atoms and at least about 25 wt. % of hydrogen fluoride which comprises adding a blend comprising water and hydrogen fluoride to said azeotropic mixture to thereby form a first phase rich in the hydrofluorocarbon and containing no greater than about 1 wt. % of hydrogen fluoride and a second phase rich in hydrogen fluoride and water, wherein the weight ratio of water to hydrogen fluoride in the added blend ranges from about 2:3 to about 4:1 and wherein the weight ratio of water to hydrogen fluoride in the formed second phase ranges from about 1:3 to about 1:1.