Thermochemical processes for hydrogen production. Progress report, October 1, 1978-March 31, 1979

Technical Report · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5931476· OSTI ID:5931476

Cox, K E ^[1]

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1. comp.

The work described in this report was accomplished during the period October 1, 1978-March 31, 1979, on a DOE-sponsored program aimed at developing efficient and economic thermochemical cycles for hydrogen production from a variety of high-temperature energy sources such as fusion, fission, and solar energy. Most of the effort was applied to a study of the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) hybrid bismuth sulfate cycle. The work included a conceptual design of the cycle, made to obtain performance parameters, and experimental work done to verify the design conditions. A 50% efficiency was obtained when an improved cycle design was coupled to a fusion energy source at 1500/sup 0/K. The improved design was based on a reduction endothermic requirement for Bi/sub 2/O/sub 3/ . 2SO/sub 3/ decomposition and a lower voltage for SO/sub 2/ electrolysis that should result at lower acid concentrations. Experimental results showed an endothermic heat requirement of +172 kJ/mol for the decomposition of Bi/sub 2/O/sub 3/ . 2SO/sub 3/ to Bi/sub 2/O/sub 3/ . SO/sub 3/ and SO/sub 3/. Reaction times for bismuth sulfate decomposition were determined as a function of temperature. At 1240 K, <1.5 min were required for the first two stages of decomposition from Bi/sub 2/O/sub 3/ . 3SO/sub 3/ to Bi/sub 2/O/sub 3/ . SO/sub 3/. In tests made to determine the feasibility of decomposing Bi/sub 2/O/sub 3/ . 2SO/sub 3/ in a fluidized bed, the solid particles agglomerated when heated. Solid particles suitable for fluidization will be sought through new approaches.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5931476
• Report Number(s): LA-7937-PR
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
BISMUTH SULFATES
DECOMPOSITION
EFFICIENCY
OXYGEN
PRODUCTION
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
WATER
BISMUTH COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
080102* - Hydrogen- Production- Thermochemical Processes