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AN OVERVIEW OF R&D ACTIVITIES FOR THE Cu-Cl CYCLE WITH EMPHASIS ON THE HYDROLYSIS REACTION
Figure 3: Effect of different Ar flow rates through the pneumatic nebuliser
30000
25000
Cu 2 OCl Cu
2
2 OCl 2
CuCl
Neb Ar = 300
CuCl 2
CuCl 2 ▪2H2O
20000
15000
Neb Ar = 200
10000
5000
Neb Ar = 100
0
10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
2-Theta
Figure 4: Effect of different Ar flow rates through the superheated steam line
36000
30000
24000
CuCl 2
Cu 2 OCl 2 Cu2 OCl 2
CuCl 2 ▪ 2H 2 O
CuCl
Steam Ar = 300
S/Cu=12
18000
12000
Steam Ar = 200
S/Cu=6
6000
Steam Ar = 100
S/Cu=12
0
10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
2-Theta
flow rate increases from 100 to 300 mL/h. We conclude that the higher flow rate of the Ar from the
superheated steam provides more turbulence and better mixing. We do not believe that the difference
in the steam to copper molar ratios (6 or 12) is as important as the differences in the Ar flow rate.
The CuCl 2 solution flow rate was also varied from 1 to 3 mL/h with a fixed Ar flow rate. There was
less conversion at the higher CuCl 2 flow rate than at the lower flow rate. We concluded that the higher
CuCl 2 solution flow rate results in larger droplets, hence less conversion.
While possible to obtain satisfactory products with the pneumatic nebuliser, the experimental
difficulties due to clogging and the strong dependence on many interrelated variables indicated that
another type of atomiser should be investigated. An ultrasonic nozzle, in which high frequency electrical
energy is converted into vibratory mechanical motion at the same frequency, was therefore examined.
The ultrasonic nozzle was chosen because the average droplet size was small, about 25 microns, and
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