Hydrogen production by the decomposition of water

Patent · Tue Jan 13 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6169622

Bowman, M G; Hollabaugh, C M

How to produce hydrogen from water was a problem addressed by this invention. The solution employs a combined electrolyticalthermochemical sulfuric acid process. Additionally, high purity sulfuric acid can be produced in the process. Water and SO2 react in electrolyzer (12) so that hydrogen is produced at the cathode and sulfuric acid is produced at the anode. Then the sulfuric acid is reacted with a particular compound mrxs so as to form at least one water insoluble sulfate and at least one water insoluble oxide of molybdenum, tungsten, or boron. Water is removed by filtration; and the sulfate is decomposed in the presence of the oxide in sulfate decomposition zone (21), thus forming SO3 and reforming mrxs. The mrxs is recycled to sulfate formation zone (16). If desired, the SO3 can be decomposed to SO2 and O2; and the SO2 can be recycled to electrolyzer (12) to provide a cycle for producing hydrogen.

• Assignee: Department of Energy
• Patent Number(s): US 4244794
• OSTI ID: 6169622
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
080101* -- Hydrogen-- Production-- Electrolysis
080102 -- Hydrogen-- Production-- Thermochemical Processes
CHALCOGENIDES
ELECTROLYSIS
ENERGY STORAGE
HEAT STORAGE
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
INORGANIC ACIDS
LYSIS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
STORAGE
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
SULFURIC ACID
THERMOCHEMICAL HEAT STORAGE
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WATER