Energy consumption in iodine section of I–S: Effect of operating parameters of electro-electrodialysis on overall efficiency of cycle

Reducing heat demand for increasing concentration of HI in the HIx solution of the iodine circuit of the Iodine–Sulphur cycle is considered the most effective way of increasing efficiency of the cycle. Electro-electrodialysis has emerged as an energy efficient way of increasing the HIx concentration above azeotropic value. Simulation of the iodine circuit consisting of an EED, a flash and a decomposer was carried out in Aspen Plus™ simulation platform to study the effect of EED current density and outlet HI concentration on the efficiency of the cycle. Efficiency reduced strongly with increase in current density. For EED current density of 5 A/dm2, maximum efficiency was ∼35.9% and the optimal range of EED catholyteʹs exit HI concentration, iodine-free, mole fraction was 0.19–0.21. Simulation results showed that reducing EED resistance was most effective, among all EED parameters, in increasing the cycleʹs thermal efficiency and if the EED resistance is completely eliminated the thermal efficiency value would increase to 39.4%.