Kinetics of the Catalytic Decomposition of Hydrogen Iodide in the Magnesium–Iodine Thermochemical Cycle

The decomposition of hydrogen iodide serves as the hydrogen-evolution step in several thermochemical water-splitting cycles, including the Magnesium–Iodine cycle. A kinetic analysis of the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen iodide has been carried out by the use of a flow method at 500–700 K. The platinum-supported active carbon catalyst (1 wt%) and the active carbon catalyst which have been found effective in the research reported previously, are used as the catalysts. The contact time-conversion relationships for both the catalysts are simulated successfully on the basis of an assumed reaction scheme. The influence of water vapor on the rate and the equilibrium of the decomposition of hydrogen iodide is negligibly small. The inhibition effect of iodine on the rate of the decomposition of hydrogen iodide over the platinum-supported active carbon catalyst is remarkable below 550 K.