Method for the production of hydrogen and applications thereof

摘要

A method for the production of hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is formed by steam reduction using a metal/metal oxide couple to remove oxygen from water. Steam is contacted with a molten metal mixture including a first reactive metal such as iron dissolved in a diluent metal such as tin. The reactive metal oxidizes to a metal oxide, forming a hydrogen gas and the metal oxide can then be reduced back to the metal for further production of hydrogen without substantial movement of the metal or metal oxide to a second reactor. The reactor (400) includes refractory sidewalls (402) that are adapted to contain the molten metal mixture (404). As steam is introduced through the lance (408), iron from the metal mixture (404) oxidizes to iron oxide. The iron oxide rises and accumulates in a slag layer (406). A gas product (416) including hydrogen gas co-mingled with stream is extracted from outlet port (410).