Thermochemistry

Name:
Thermochemistry
Detailed information:
That branch of chemistry comprising the measurement and interpretation of heat changes that accompany changes of state and chemical reactions. It is closely related to chemical thermodynamics. The heat of formation of a compound is the heat absorbed when it is formed from its elements in their standard states. An exothermic reaction evolves heat, an endothermic reaction requires heat for initiation.Application of thermochemical principles to generation of hydrogen by water splitting is being extensively researched. The advantage of this method over electrolysis is its greater net efficiency. Many techniques have been explored, but only a few have practical potential. One of the more promising is the S-I cycle under study at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. The heat for this would be obtained from either solar receivers or nuclear reactors. The reactions involved are2H₂O + SO₂ + I₂ → H₂SO₄ + 2HIH₂SO₄ → H₂O + SO₂ + 1/2O₂2HI → H₂ + I₂ See Hydrogen.