The catalytic thermal decomposition of water and the production of hydrogen

Experiments have been carried out on the Pt and Ir catalyzed thermal decomposition of water. The dissociation is very rapid indeed, yielding appreciable quantities of hydrogen and oxygen at approx. 1300–1400°C. The great speed of this catalytic decomposition compensates for the small degrees of thermal decomposition in this temperature range.Two prototypes for large scale thermal hydrogen production are proposed on the basis of the experiments on the catalytic decomposition of water. These have been described and characterized in detail. A reasonable number of these prototypes can replace 1 year's supply of natural gas by hydrogen in the U.S.A. Economic aspects have also been considered.