Dissociation of water into oxygen and hydrogen - involving electrolysis of aq. sulphite soln. and thermal decomposition of sulphate obtd.

摘要

Water is dissociated into hydrogen and oxygen in a cycle involving (A) electrolysis of an aq. soln. soln. of metal monosulphite or acid sulphite to give H2 at the cathode and sulphate or acid sulphate at the anode; (B) thermal decomposition of the metal sulphate obtd. into metal oxide, SO2 and O2. The O2 is sepd., and the SO2 and metal oxide are dissolved in aq. medium to give the aq. sulphite soln. which is recycled to stage (A). Electrolysis can be carried out at atmospheric pressure with satisfactory yields. Solar energy can be used in stage (B). The aq. sulphite soln. obtd. after stage (B) can be stored and electrolysis carried out during a period independent of the other stages.