Patent ID: 7976693

Claim:
A dual pressure hybrid sulfur process for hydrogen generation, utilizing the decomposition of H 2 SO 4 to H 2 O, SO 2 and O 2 with heat from a nuclear reactor or natural gas fired combustor, which comprises: (a) utilizing a sulfur cycle, selected from the group consisting of a Westinghouse Sulfur Process and a Sulfur Iodine Process, wherein an electrolyzer provides H 2 SO 4 liquid to a H 2 SO 4 vaporizer reactor operating at a pressure and a temperature effective to provide vaporized gaseous H 2 SO 4 ; which gaseous H 2 SO 4 is decomposed to gaseous H 2 O, SO 2 and O 2 in a decomposition reactor operating at a pressure of from 7 MPa to 9 MPa; (b) passing the H 2 O, SO 2 and O 2 gases to a plurality of SO 2 scrubber units to remove O 2 streams, operating with a plurality of electrolyzer units; (c) inputting electricity to the plurality of electrolyzer units to produce hydrogen gas and H 2 SO 4 liquid, where both the plurality of SO 2 scrubber units and the plurality of electrolyzer units operate at a pressure of 0.1 MPa to 7 MPa; (d) supplying electricity to the plurality of electrolyzer units utilizing a Rankine Cycle Power Conversion Unit; and (e) supplying fluid heat to the Rankine Cycle Unit and the sulfur cycle, utilizing a heat source selected from the group consisting of a nuclear reactor and a natural gas fired combustor; where the decomposition reactor operates at a pressure higher than the scrubber and electrolyzer units, providing a dual pressure hybrid process.