Catalytic Oxidation of Phosphine by Aqueous Copper-Ammonia Complexes

The furnace gas resulting from the electrothermal production of yellow phosphorus contains up to 95% CO, 2% O-2, 2% H-2, and 0.3-4.0% impurities, including phosphine (PH3), yellow phosphorus (P-4), and hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which are characterized by flammability, explosion hazardousness, corrosiveness, and high toxicity. The presence of toxic impurities does not allow the use of waste gases from phosphorus production, which are mainly composed of valuable carbon monoxide, as chemical raw materials and/or process fuel. The authors propose a method for the purification of furnace gas from the main toxic component, phosphine, by its oxidisation using aqueous copper-ammonia complexes as a catalyst. This approach allows the cleaning process to be conducted under mild conditions. The degree of purification of the model furnace gas from P components is 90-99%, depending on the process conditions.

Automated summary

The furnace gas resulting from the electrothermal production of yellow phosphorus is highly hazardous due to its flammability, explosiveness, corrosiveness, and high toxicity. It cannot be used as chemical raw materials or process fuel due to the presence of toxic impurities such as phosphine (PH3), yellow phosphorus (P-4), and hydrogen sulphide (H2S). The authors propose a method using copper-ammonia complexes as catalysts to oxidize and purify the gas, achieving a purification degree of 90-99% for the phosphine component.