CaCO3 + 2HCl -> CaCl2 + CO2 + H20 and a release of heat
CaCl2 -> Ca + Cl2 (electrolysis)
2Ca + O2 -> 2CaO and a release of heat
CaO + H2O -> Ca(OH)2 and a release of heat
CO2 + H2O -> H2CO3 (slowly at room temp)
H2CO3 + Ca(OH)2 -> CaCO3 + 2H2O (I don't know if this is exothermic or not)
If this is doable then hydrochloric acid is used up with a product of chlorine gas. A gas that has many uses.
If the last reaction is endothermic then discard the last two reactions and both HCl and CaCO3 are used up with CO2, Cl2 and Ca(OH)2 as byproducts. Both Cl2 and Ca(OH)2 are widely used chemicals and you still get the release of CO2 (greenhouse gas) which isn't as good.
I think you will find that the amount of energy input required for the electrolosis step is far greater than the heat energy that can be harnessed from the reaction in step one. This is simply because of the inefficiency of heat as a energy source with todays techniques.
This procedure would require a multi-step reaction, and this would also be somewhat inefficient, with loss of yield at every step.
Also you'will find that HCl is also somewhat costly to produce in the 1st place.
ie/ it doesnt just come out of the ground.
Sorry, but at this time that is all i can deduce.
This procedure would require a multi-step reaction, and this would also be somewhat inefficient, with loss of yield at every step.
Also you'will find that HCl is also somewhat costly to produce in the 1st place.
ie/ it doesnt just come out of the ground.
Sorry, but at this time that is all i can deduce.
So HCl gas is produced on an industrial scale by electrolysis of brine. It is than mixed with H2O to make a solution.
This means that the enegy input required to make HCl is far greater than the amount of heat released in the reaction. And then you still need more energy for the second electrolysis step. Overall, you will put in more energy into the system than you'll extract from it.
This means that the enegy input required to make HCl is far greater than the amount of heat released in the reaction. And then you still need more energy for the second electrolysis step. Overall, you will put in more energy into the system than you'll extract from it.
Is it possible? 
It will be in demand in many countries if this would be possible, so what are the risks?
It will be in demand in many countries if this would be possible, so what are the risks?
QUOTE (cazhi+Jan 5 2010, 01:59 AM)
Is it possible? It will be in demand in many countries if this would be possible, so what are the risks?
Hydrochloric acid and Chlorine are both highly toxic and corrosive, and difficult to handle.
It will be in demand in many countries if this would be possible, so what are the risks? Hydrochloric acid and Chlorine are both highly toxic and corrosive, and difficult to handle.
Highly toxic indeed. Not to mention terrorists may advocacte for this type of power generation. They won't have to carry any arsenal on board.
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