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Title: Experimental studies of the volatility of ammonium chloride

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5843931

A platinum-lined autoclave is being used to investigate the partitioning of ammonia and chloride between the vapor and liquid phases of aqueous ammonium chloride. The apparatus is designed to allow the sampling of both phases via inert tubing (platinum and PEEK tubing and valves) over a temperature range of approximately 150 to 350{degree}C. Initial experiments have been carried out at 150{degree}C using acidic ammonium chloride solutions with varying molalities and acidities and a range of vapor sampling rates to ensure equilibrium had been established. Relatively high molalities of NH{sub 4}Cl have been used to provide sufficient solute partitioning to the vapor phase to allow precise determination of the vapor-phase composition by ion chromatography. The ammonium concentration in the vapor phase in excess of that calculated for ammonia volatility provides a direct measure of the maximum volatility of ammonium chloride at that temperature. The calculation of the expected ammonia and hydrochloric acid volatilities is based on a knowledge of the activity coefficients of the ionic species in solution as well as the equilibrium constants for the liquid-vapor partitioning. Activity coefficients of all the ionic solutes and the volatility of HCL have been measured in this laboratory; the thermodynamics of the volatility of ammonia are described in previously published works. The results at 150{degree}C are used to demonstrate how maximum ammonium chloride concentrations in the vapor phase can be calculated, including the proportion of total vapor-phase chloride due to NH{sub 4}Cl and HCl partitioning, for solution compositions relevant to power generating cycles. It should be emphasized that this study is still in progress and that temperatures corresponding to those in power-generating plants will be investigated. 7 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
5843931
Report Number(s):
CONF-9106189-1; ON: DE91012526
Resource Relation:
Conference: International conference on cycle chemistry in fossil plants, Baltimore, MD (USA), 4-6 Jun 1991
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English