The sponge iron reaction (SIR) is a chemical process based on redox cycling of an iron-based contact mass, the first cycle is a conversion step between iron metal (Fe) and wuestite (FeO), the second cycle is a conversion step between wuestite (FeO) and magnetite (Fe3O4). [1] In application, the SIT is used in the reformer sponge iron cycle (RESC) in combination with a steam reforming unit.
Process description
The process has two modes, a reduction mode and an oxidation mode.
Iron-wuestite
FeO + H
2 ↔ Fe + H
2O
Magnetite-wuestite
Fe
3O
4 + H
2 ↔ 3FeO + H
2O
Application
The reformer sponge iron cycle is a two step cycle to produce hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels based SIR and steam. [2]
Reformer sponge iron cycle
In the first step the hydrocarbon fuel is reformed to syngas in the reformer which is then used to reduce the iron oxide ( magnetite—Fe3O4) to iron ( wüstite—FeO), in the second step steam is utilized to re-oxidise the iron into magnetite and hydrogen. The iron oxide pellets are placed in a pelletbed and have a service life of several thousand redox cycles. [3]
See also
References
External links
The sponge iron reaction (SIR) is a chemical process based on redox cycling of an iron-based contact mass, the first cycle is a conversion step between iron metal (Fe) and wuestite (FeO), the second cycle is a conversion step between wuestite (FeO) and magnetite (Fe3O4). [1] In application, the SIT is used in the reformer sponge iron cycle (RESC) in combination with a steam reforming unit.
Process description
The process has two modes, a reduction mode and an oxidation mode.
Iron-wuestite
FeO + H
2 ↔ Fe + H
2O
Magnetite-wuestite
Fe
3O
4 + H
2 ↔ 3FeO + H
2O
Application
The reformer sponge iron cycle is a two step cycle to produce hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels based SIR and steam. [2]
Reformer sponge iron cycle
In the first step the hydrocarbon fuel is reformed to syngas in the reformer which is then used to reduce the iron oxide ( magnetite—Fe3O4) to iron ( wüstite—FeO), in the second step steam is utilized to re-oxidise the iron into magnetite and hydrogen. The iron oxide pellets are placed in a pelletbed and have a service life of several thousand redox cycles. [3]