Components development for sulfuric acid processing in the IS process

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has been conducting research and development on a thermochemical iodine–sulfur (IS) process, one of most attractive water-splitting hydrogen production methods, that uses the nuclear heat of a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR). An examination is planned to verify the integrity of the components in the sulfuric acid decomposition section. A bayonet-type sulfuric acid decomposer made of SiC ceramics, a key component in the section, was test-fabricated. In parallel, a direct-contact heat exchanger (DCHX) is contemplated for use in the sulfuric acid decomposition section to simplify the process. The application of the DCHX makes it possible to perform heat recovery and separate undecomposed sulfuric acid from the decomposed gaseous mixture in one reactor. Although the concept is very attractive, little is known about the heat and mass transfer behavior in the DCHX. Therefore, a test apparatus was constructed to measure the gas-phase mass transfer coefficients required for the optimal design of the DCHX. These coefficients of water were acquired and compared with an empirical correlation. The experimental data were in good agreement with those obtained from empirical correlation, and thus, the apparatus was confirmed to be reasonable.