Work

In situ Bunsen reaction coupled with HI electrolysis for hydrogen production from sulfur-containing emissions

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Studies on Conventional Bunsen reaction (SO2 + I2 + 2H2O → 2HI + H2SO4) with molten iodine or low-temperature Bunsen reaction with iodine-solution for both Sulfur-Iodine (S-I) cycle and H2S splitting cycle for hydrogen production have encountered great challenges such as side reactions, acid products separations, corrosion to reactors, and excessive material handlings, just name a few. We found that the Bunsen reaction can proceed insistently when gas SO2 is replaced by sulfite solutions. In this study, we couple the insistent Bunsen reaction with the HI electrolysis in its anodic chamber. Cyclic voltammetric (CV) and linear sweep voltammetric (LSV) analyses reveal the electrochemical-chemical (EC) coupling mechanism, the necessity of the fluid convention (in removing the formed iodine film on the electrode surface), and the possibility of modulating the process efficiency by changing the sulfide to HI ratio. Long-term cycling tests demonstrate great stability over 80 cycles under stirred conditions, with >95% retention of initial electrochemical activity. This work offers a simplified electrochemical route for large-scale hydrogen production from sulfur-containing emissions when they have been converted into sulfite.

Source: Fuel Processing Technology

DOI: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2026.108470

Authors: Xiaoling Li, Hui Wang, Ke Zhang, Liping Chang, Xu Zhao, Jingye Chen

Institutions: University of Saskatchewan, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Jilin University

Language: English

Topic: Chemical Looping and Thermochemical Processes

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,180