| The net thermal decomposition of ammonium hydrogen sulfate (AHS) in presence of ZnO has been studied as part of an energy storage cycle. Optimum conditions of temperature and AHS/ZnO mole ratio have been determined. The rate of reduction has been evaluated as a function of temperature, and an Arrhenius activation energy of 24.7 (+OR-) 0.6 kcal/mole was calculated which agrees well with the activation energies calculated in a separate investigation for the decomposition of AHS in presence of group IA metal sulfates.; The decomposition of the residue formed during the reaction between AHS + 1.5 ZnO was investigated and compared with the decompositions of ZnSO(,4) and ZnO(.)2ZnSO(,4). The rate of reaction was evaluated as a function of temperature, and Arrhenius activation energies of 60.3 (+OR-) 2.7, 73.2 (+OR-) 5.8 and 76.3 (+OR-) 8.3 kcal/mole, respectively, were calculated.; Experimental evidence was obtained in support of the formula ZnO(.)2ZnSO(,4) for the intermediate product formed during the thermal decomposition of ZnSO(,4), versus other formulas proposed in the literature.; Finally, in view of the success of preliminary process design studies carried out with ZnSO(,4) as a viable candidate for solar energy storage and for several thermochemical cycles, screening tests to identify suitable eutectic mixtures of ZnSO(,4) with different additives were performed. The claim that NaCl catalyzes the ZnSO(,4) decomposition was proven to be erroneous. The decomposition of ZnSO(,4) in Li(,2)SO(,4)/ZnSO(,4) appears promising. |
