Hydrogen production by the decomposition of water

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:863771

Hollabaugh, Charles M ^[1]; Bowman, Melvin G ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM

How to produce hydrogen from water was a problem addressed by this invention. The solution employs a combined electrolytical-thermochemical sulfuric acid process. Additionally, high purity sulfuric acid can be produced in the process. Water and SO.sub.2 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 M.sub.r X.sub.s 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 SO.sub.3 and reforming M.sub.r X.sub.s. The M.sub.r X.sub.s is recycled to sulfate formation zone (16). If desired, the SO.sub.3 can be decomposed to SO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 ; and the SO.sub.2 can be recycled to electrolyzer (12) to provide a cycle for producing hydrogen.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4244794
• OSTI ID: 863771
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

hydrogen
production
decomposition
water
produce
addressed
solution
employs
combined
electrolytical-thermochemical
sulfuric
acid
process
additionally
purity
produced
react
electrolyzer
12
cathode
anode
reacted
particular
compound
form
insoluble
sulfate
oxide
molybdenum
tungsten
boron
removed
filtration
decomposed
presence
zone
21
forming
reforming
recycled
formation
16
desired
provide
cycle
producing
produce hydrogen
sulfate formation
sulfuric acid
producing hydrogen
hydrogen production
water insoluble
soluble oxide
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