STUDIES ON SULFUR-IODINE THERMOCHEMICAL CYCLE FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

摘要

We report here the work that has been initiated at the Chemistry Division, on Sulfur-Iodine thermochemical cycle, which deals with the development of catalyst systems for decomposition of suifuric acid, the most energy intensive step involved in this cycle towards decomposition of water for hydrogen production. Chromium substituted Fe_2O_3, catalysts were synthesized via solid-state route and characterized by XRD, N_2sorption and Temperature Programmed Reduction/Oxidation (TPR/O) techniques. Catalytic activity for decomposition of suifuric acid in temperature range of 400 - 800 deg C has shown, that onset temperature for SO_2 formation in all samples was ~600°C. Successive TPR/O studies on these samples have revealed better sintering characteristics as compared to a pure Fe_2O_3 sample and thereby suggested a better performance of chromium substituted catalyst, during prolonged use for suifuric acid decomposition.