(122b) Sintering Inhibition of Fe-Based Fluidized Beds for Use in High Temperature Redox Reactions

In the design of high-temperature thermochemical reactors, iron has been considered as a reactant for hydrogen production via a two-step water-splitting cycle. Use of particles as sintering inhibitors to allow fluidized and fixed bed operation of Fe-based reactions at temperatures exceeding 550 °C was investigated. Various mass percentages of elemental iron (Fe) were mixed with various nonreactive particles, including ZiO₂, SiO₂, and Al₂O₃. In addition, use of reactive CeO₂ particles was investigated. Various particle sizes were used, ranging from 75-180µm.  Oxidation was carried out under a stream of H₂O at temperatures from 550-950 °C, while reduction was carried out under a stream of CO at temperatures ranging from 800-950 °C. During preliminary investigations, sintering inhibition was achieved at temperatures up to 950 °C with mixtures consisting of approximately 20 % Fe, 53% ZiO₂, and 27% SiO₂ by mass.