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Title: Evaluation and Characterization of Membranes for HI/H2O/I2 Water Separation for the S-I Cycle

Abstract

In the Sulfur-Iodine (S-I) thermochemical cycle, iodine is added to the product of the Bunsen reaction to facilitate the separation of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) from hydriodic acid (HI). The amount of iodine can be as high as 83% of the overall mass load of the Bunsen product stream, which potentially introduces a large burden on the cycle’s efficiency. Removal of water from the HI and I2 mixture would substantially reduce the amount of required additional iodine. In this work, Nafion® membranes have been studied for their use as de-watering membranes. Specifically, two thicknesses of Nafion membranes have been found to be effective in this application. The thicker membrane, Nafion-117®, produces moderate fluxes of water with very high separation factors. On the other hand, the thinner membrane, Nafion-112®, yielded very large fluxes of water, however with smaller separation factors. All membranes were found to be durable and did not degrade in contact with the feed stream over periods of time up to three months.

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
Sponsoring Org.:
DOE - NE
OSTI Identifier:
911782
Report Number(s):
INL/EXT-05-00723
TRN: US200801%%229
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC07-99ID-13727
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
08 - HYDROGEN; EFFICIENCY; EVALUATION; HYDRIODIC ACID; IODINE; MEMBRANES; MIXTURES; REMOVAL; SULFURIC ACID; WATER; iodine; separation; sulfur-iodine thermochemical cycle

Citation Formats

Frederick F. Stewart. Evaluation and Characterization of Membranes for HI/H2O/I2 Water Separation for the S-I Cycle. United States: N. p., 2005. Web. doi:10.2172/911782.
Frederick F. Stewart. Evaluation and Characterization of Membranes for HI/H2O/I2 Water Separation for the S-I Cycle. United States. doi:10.2172/911782.
Frederick F. Stewart. Thu . "Evaluation and Characterization of Membranes for HI/H2O/I2 Water Separation for the S-I Cycle". United States. doi:10.2172/911782. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/911782.
@article{osti_911782,
title = {Evaluation and Characterization of Membranes for HI/H2O/I2 Water Separation for the S-I Cycle},
author = {Frederick F. Stewart},
abstractNote = {In the Sulfur-Iodine (S-I) thermochemical cycle, iodine is added to the product of the Bunsen reaction to facilitate the separation of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) from hydriodic acid (HI). The amount of iodine can be as high as 83% of the overall mass load of the Bunsen product stream, which potentially introduces a large burden on the cycle’s efficiency. Removal of water from the HI and I2 mixture would substantially reduce the amount of required additional iodine. In this work, Nafion® membranes have been studied for their use as de-watering membranes. Specifically, two thicknesses of Nafion membranes have been found to be effective in this application. The thicker membrane, Nafion-117®, produces moderate fluxes of water with very high separation factors. On the other hand, the thinner membrane, Nafion-112®, yielded very large fluxes of water, however with smaller separation factors. All membranes were found to be durable and did not degrade in contact with the feed stream over periods of time up to three months.},
doi = {10.2172/911782},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2005},
month = {Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2005}
}

Technical Report:

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  • In this report are the findings into three membrane separation studies for potential application to the Sulfur-Iodine (S-I) thermochemical cycle. The first is the removal of water from hydriodic acid/iodine mixtures. In the S-I cycle, iodine is added to the product of the Bunsen reaction to facilitate the separation of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) from hydriodic acid (HI). The amount of iodine can be as high as 83% of the overall mass load of the Bunsen product stream, which potentially introduces a large burden on the cycle’s efficiency. Removal of water from the HI and iodine mixture would substantially reduce themore » amount of required additional iodine. In this work, performance data for Nafion® and sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) membranes is shown.« less
  • Scope: The purpose of this draft report is to make recommendations concerning the applicability of specific membrane materials for acid concentration processes to the Sulfur-Iodine (S-I) thermochemical cycle integrated laboratory scale (ILS) demonstration. Introduction Acid concentration membrane processes have been studied for possible inclusion in the Sulfur-Iodine integrated laboratory scale (S-I ILS) demonstration. The need for this technology is driven by the chemical processes required for economical water splitting using the S-I cycle. Of the chemical processes inherent to the S-I cycle that have been identified as targets for deployment of membrane technology, three have been studied during the pastmore » three fiscal years as a part of the DOE Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative. First, the ability to concentrate hydriodic acid (HI) and iodine mixtures was sought as a method for aiding in the isolation of HI away from water and iodine. Isolated HI would then be delivered to the HI decomposition process for liberation of product hydrogen. Second, an extension of this technology to sulfuric acid was proposed to benefit sulfuric acid decomposition recycle. Third, decomposition of HI to form hydrogen is equilibrium limited. Removal of hydrogen, utilizing Le Chatelier’s principle, will increase to overall conversion and thus increasing the efficiency of the S-I cycle.« less
  • The critical review covers the existing literature on the solubility of CO2 in water from 273 K to the critical temperature of the solvent (647 K). Results of the evaluation are expressed in the form of fitting equations for the infinite dilution Henry's constant, k, as a function of the density of the solvent, and also as an explicit function of the temperature. The pressure effect on the solubility is considered in the formulation. Different equations of state were used for the description of the CO2-H2O vapor phase and the effect on the calculated Henry's constant values are analyzed. Themore » 'best' solubility estimates are presented in smoothed tabular form. (Copyright (c) 1991 by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.)« less
  • Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) was performed at temperatures up to 850K on Cab-O-Sil-M-7D and Hi-Sil-233 silica particles. Physisorbed water molecules on both types of silica had activation energies in the range of 9-14.5 kcal/mol. However, the activation energies of desorption for chemisorbed water varied from {approx} 19 kcal/mol to > 59 kcal/mol for Cab-O-Sil-M-7D, and {approx} 23-37 kcal/mol for Hi-Sil-233. Our results suggest that physisorbed water can be effectively pumped away at room temperature (or preferably at 320 K) in a matter of hours. Chemisorbed water with high activation energies of desorption (>30 kcal/mol) will not escape the silica surfacesmore » in 100 years even at 320 K, while a significant amount of the chemisorbed water with medium activation energies (19-26 kcal/mol) will leave the silica surfaces in that time span. Most of the chemisorbed water with activation energies < 30 kcal/mol can be pumped away in a matter of days in a good vacuum environment at 500 K. We had previously measured about 0.1-0.4 wt. % of water in M9787 polysiloxane formulations containing {approx} 21% Cab-O-Sil-M-7D and {approx} 4% Hi-Sil-233. Comparing present results with these formulations, we conclude that absorbed H{sub 2}O and Si-OH bonds on the silica surfaces are the major contributors to water outgassing from M97 series silicones.« less
  • The overall goal of this program is to investigate the use of ion exchange membranes in the removal of acid gases during processing of natural gas or during production of H{sub 2} from synthesis gas. As part of this goal we are running a field test of candidate membranes on a natural gas stream to obtain extended performance data on acid gas transport Additionally we are working on strategies for increasing the productivity and lifetime of these types of membranes. The specific objectives include: Evaluate candidate membranes, carriers, solvents, treatments and the effects of process conditions for separation of themore » acid gases C0{sub 2} and H{sub 2}S from H{sub 2}, CO and CE{sub 4}. Develop mathematical models to guide experimental work and for interpretation of results. Construct and operate an extended-use test facility to evaluate the long term stability and productivity of various membrane forms relative to acid gases. Develop thin film composite membranes as a possible route to higher productivity and lower cost membranes. Develop preliminary process design and economic analysis for the use of these membranes in gas cleanup. Performance testing of the following membranes are discussed; polyperfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes inbibed with various solvent and chemical carriers; PFSA membranes subjected to solvent-swelling heat treatment (gel treatment); and composite membranes, microporous tefflon coated with PFSA solution.« less