A Simulation study for closed cycle and continuous hydrogen production by a thermo-chemical water-splitting IS process

Kubo, Shinji  ; Kasahara, Seiji  ; Sato, Hiroyuki  ; Imai, Yoshiyuki  ; Iwatsuki, Jin ; Tanaka, Nobuyuki ; Miyashita, Reiko*; Tago, Yasuhiro*; Onuki, Kaoru

A stable hydrogen production via the IS process is relatively difficult because of the unique characteristics of the closed-cycle condition involved. This issue is therefore a high targeted priority when industrializing the process as feasible in a chemical plant. In system of IS process coupled with helium gas heat source, a process control method to maintain mass balance of the process was devised. The method is equipped with measurements of Bunsen reaction composition and allocation of heat for the O and H production sections in strict proportion. Via computer simulation for closed-cycle and fully multi-section driven by high-temperature helium gas, the system worked automatically to maintain stoichiometric production ratio in response to shifts of helium gas conditions.