摘要:
A continuous system recovers germanium (Ge) from a chemical vapor deposit. A chemical vapor deposit scrubber scrubs a chemical vapor deposit to form a chemical vapor deposit scrubber solution. An equalization and neutralization mixer adds a caustic soda to the chemical vapor deposit scrubber solution to form an equalization and neutralization mixer solution having a pH above 12.0 to maintain the solubility of silicon oxide (SiO 2 ) and hypochlorite (ClO - ). A hypochlorite reduction mixer adds a peroxide to the equalization and neutralization solution to form a hypochlorite reduction solution to reduce hypochlorites. A precipitant and neutralization mixer adds a metal cation such as Epsom Salts (MgSO 4 ) and a caustic soda (NAOH) to the hypochlorite reduction solution to form a precipitant and neutralization solution to precipitate magnesium germanate (MgGeO 3 ) and magnesium silicon trioxide (MgSiO 3 ). A reactor tank adds a cationic polymer to the precipitant and neutralization solution to flocculate the germanium (Ge) and silicon (Si) solids and form a flocculation solution. A plate clarifier collects the flocculation solution to form a flocculated material. A filter press and the dryer processes and drys the flocculated material to produce a dry sludge of germanium (Ge) within a range of 5%-10% by weight.