Azeotrope-like composition of hexafluoropropane, hexafluoropropene and hydrogen fluoride

1. A method for removing 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane from a mixture containing 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane and at least one impurity, comprising adding hydrogen fluoride and, optionally, hexafluoropropene to the mixture in an effective amount to form an azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition of 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane, hexafluoropropene, and hydrogen fluoride, and separating the azeotropic composition from the impurity.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the impurity does not form an azeotropic mixture with 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane, hexafluoropropene, hydrogen fluoride or a mixture thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the impurity does form an azeotropic mixture with 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane, hexafluoropropene, hydrogen fluoride or a mixture thereof.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the impurity comprises a halocarbon.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the impurity is miscible with 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the impurity is selected from the group consisting of 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane, 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropane, (E)1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, (Z)1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, 3,3,3-trifluoropropene, 1,1,1-trifluoropropane, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne, (Z)1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and (E)1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of separating the azeotropic composition from the impurity is conducted by swing distillation or extractive distillation.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the azeotropic composition consists essentially of about 1 to about 10 wt % hydrogen fluoride, from about 1 to about 10 wt % hexafluoropropene, and from about 80 to about 98 wt % of 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane, based on the total weight of the azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition and has a boiling point of about from 0° C. to about 60° C. at a pressure of about 17 psia to about 125 psia.

9. A method for isolating 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane from an azeotropic mixture containing 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane, hexafluoropropene, and hydrogen fluoride, comprising

extracting hydrogen fluoride from a solution containing an azeotrope of 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane, hexafluoropropene, and hydrogen fluoride by contacting the mixture with a solution selected from the group consisting of an HF solvent, an HF absorbent, a basic solution and combinations thereof; and

separating 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane from a remaining solution of 1,1,1,2,3,3 hexafluoropropane and hexafluoropropene.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the HF solvent and HF absorbent are selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, water, potassium fluoride, sodium fluoride, alumina, zeolites, molecular sieves, silica gel, and combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the separation of hexafluoropropene is by distillation.