METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PHOSPHINE AND SAFETY SYSTEM Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: production of inorganic substances. SUBSTANCE: phosphine is produced using reaction of water with metal phosphide composition. Composition is placed inside casing 10 closed with water- and phosphine-permeable membrane 12. Water-containing gas passes through membrane, while water contained in gas gets into casing to react with phosphide to form phosphine, which also penetrates membrane and gets into gas stream. Two membranes 12A and 12B can be utilized to close casing, one of them being water- and the other phosphine-permeable. To control phosphine formation, guard plate 17 and phosphine absorber 18 can be utilized. In another embodiment of invention, phosphine composition granules are periodically transferred from loading device 23 into water-containing chamber 24. Transfer is effected by means of disk arrangement 25 located below loading device and above the chamber. Disk arrangement has at least one opening through which pellet is displaced from loading device outlet toward outlet port of chamber. Phosphine formation control is also performed through varying water temperature and using safety system intended for feeding blowing gas into generator. Safety system includes tank 73 with blowing gas (commonly dry air, nitrogen or carbon dioxide) under high pressure prepared before phosphine generator is launched. If power-to-generator supply is interrupted or gas pressure or phosphine concentration in generator are too high, valve 78 opens to pass blowing gas from tank to generator. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency of process and improved environmental safety. 34 cl, 8 dwg