(230d) A Corrosion Resistant Sulfuric Acid Decomposer for the Sulfur-Iodine Process

The Sulfur-Iodine thermo-chemical process has been identified as a means for producing hydrogen by decomposing water by employing three reactions in a thermo-chemical cycle, one of which is sulfuric acid decomposition. The acid decomposition reactor is the precursor to a possible suite of hydrogen production cycles, including a subsequent reaction of SO2 and H2O to form H2SO4 and H2 gas. In all cases, it is necessary to reliably decompose sulfuric acid. This process occurs at temperatures above 800 degrees Celsius, with the reagents and products representing a highly corrosive and toxic environment. The primary problem is involved with finding ductile materials that can handle both the temperatures and corrosive environments associated with the decomposer section. Other than Silicon Carbide, it is extremely difficult to locate materials that are simultaneously compatible with the reagents and products of the decomposer reactions while withstanding 800 C. The author has identified a concept and carried this concept through preliminary design that allows a decomposer to be made from available materials and allows for maintenance and replacement of parts and catalysts. The author will define the processes and the high temperature decomposer and how this might be used to make an economic plant-scale decomposer for the S-I process.