Components for sulfuric acid processing in the IS process

Noguchi, Hiroki  ; Kubo, Shinji  ; Iwatsuki, Jin ; Kasahara, Seiji  ; Tanaka, Nobuyuki ; Imai, Yoshiyuki  ; Terada, Atsuhiko  ; Takegami, Hiroaki ; Kamiji, Yu; Onuki, Kaoru; Inagaki, Yoshiyuki

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has been conducting research and development on a thermochemical iodine-sulfur (IS) process. 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. 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.