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Novel process concept for the production of H2 and H2SO4 by SO2-depolarized electrolysis

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Abstract

Outotec open cycle (OOC) is a new low-energy process linking together production of hydrogen and sulfuric acid. While sulfuric acid is the world’s most widely produced chemical by mass at approximately 200 Mt/a, the OOC gives the potential for making 4 Mt/a of hydrogen gas as a by-product. H2SO4 manufacture requires a source of sulfur dioxide. 30% of world production of H2SO4 is from the SO2 by-product of pyrometallurgical processing of sulfur containing concentrates of metals such as copper, nickel and zinc. SO2 can also be made by direct combustion of sulfur. In OOC, a divided electrochemical cell is used for SO2-depolarized electrolysis of water. SO2 is fed to the anolyte and converted to H2SO4, while hydrogen gas is produced at the cathode. On the industrial scale, the equipment will be in the form of a membrane electrolyzer assembly or stack. A case is described where the OOC would be connected to a pyrometallurgical plant smelting 1 Mt/a of nickel and copper concentrate, producing 1 Mt/a of H2SO4 and 20 kt/a of hydrogen.

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Acknowledgments

Support from Outotec and Tekes (Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation) within the framework of IEA HIA Task 25 is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aalto University School of Chemical Technology, Vuorimiehentie 2, Espoo, PO Box 16200, 00076, Aalto, Finland

    Anu Lokkiluoto, Pekka A. Taskinen & Michael Gasik

  2. Outotec Oyj, Riihitontuntie 7 D, PO Box 86, 02200, Espoo, Finland

    Ilkka V. Kojo

  3. Outotec (Finland Oy) Research Center, Kuparitie 10, PO Box 69, 28101, Pori, Finland

    Heljä Peltola & Michael H. Barker

  4. Outotec (Oberursel), Ludwig-Erhard-Strasse 21, 61440, Oberursel, Germany

    Karl-Heinz Kleifges

Authors
  1. Anu Lokkiluoto
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  2. Pekka A. Taskinen
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  3. Michael Gasik
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  4. Ilkka V. Kojo
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  5. Heljä Peltola
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  6. Michael H. Barker
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  7. Karl-Heinz Kleifges
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Correspondence to Anu Lokkiluoto.

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Lokkiluoto, A., Taskinen, P.A., Gasik, M. et al. Novel process concept for the production of H2 and H2SO4 by SO2-depolarized electrolysis. Environ Dev Sustain 14, 529–540 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-012-9342-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-012-9342-z

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