Application of pervaporation to IS process (Joint research)

Kanagawa, Akihiro*; Iwatsuki, Jin ; Tanaka, Nobuyuki ; Onuki, Kaoru; Fukui, Hiroshi*; Nishibayashi, Toshiki*

Separation of hydrogen iodide from HIx solution (HI-I-HO mixture) is one of the technical issues in the development of thermochemical IS process. Application of pervaporation (PV) to the concentration of HIx solution in the IS process pilot test plant was discussed from the viewpoints of process heat mass balance, conceptual design of the apparatus, and the corrosion resistance of the membrane module. Compared with the electro-electrodialysis system, the PV system enables the downsizing of apparatus by using hollow fiber membranes, although it does not improve the thermal efficiency of IS process. Immersion tests of commercially available Nafion hollow fiber membrane module in the HIx solution at 100C indicated the necessity of improving the corrosion resistance of bundle materials.