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AssigneeGeneral Atomic Company
InventorsJohn H. Norman, John L. Russell, Jr., John T. Porter, II, Kenneth H. McCorkle, Thomas S. Roemer, Robert Sharp
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Hydrogen is thermochemically produced from water in a cycle wherein a first reaction produces hydrogen iodide and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 by the reaction of iodine, sulfur dioxide and water under conditions which cause two distinct aqueous phases to be formed, i.e., a lighter sulfuric acid-bearing phase and a heavier hydrogen iodide-bearing phase. After separation of the two phases, the heavier phase containing most of the hydrogen iodide is treated, e.g., at a high temperature, to decompose the hydrogen iodide and recover hydrogen and iodine. The H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 is pyrolyzed to recover sulfur dioxide and produce oxygen.
A process for the thermochemical production of hydrogen from water, which process comprises the steps of making hydrogen iodide and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 by the reaction of iodine, sulfur dioxide and water, said reaction being carried out with sulfur dioxide and iodine present in stoichiometric excess with respect to the reacting water and at a temperature above about -60.degree. C. to cause two distinct aqueous phases to be formed, a lighter sulfuric acid-bearing phase and a heavier hydrogen iodidebearing phase, said lighter phase containing most of said H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 which is produced and said heavier phase containing most of said hydrogen iodide which is produced, separating said heavier phase from said lighter phase, treating said hydrogen iodide from said heavier phase to cause the decomposition thereof and recovering hydrogen and iodine.
In a process for the production of hydrogen from water, wherein H.sub.2 O, SO.sub.2 and I.sub.2 are reacted to produce sulfuric acid and hydrogen iodide and wherein hydrogen is recovered from said hydrogen iodide following further treatment thereof, wherein the improvement comprises
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.