Electrolysis
A third GRT option for bromine regeneration is based on the use of electrolysis. Electrolysis for HCl is widely practiced. Although HBr electrolysis is not currently widely practiced, it is reasonable to suppose that the experience with HCl will carry over the HBr. A schematic diagram of the GRT GTL process utilizing electrolysis for Br2 is shown in the following figure.
The process steps are the same as process options I and II but here HBr is capture by absorption in water / acid. The aqueous HBr is fed into an electrolysis cell which splits the HBr into Br and H2. We envisage the use of renewable sources of electricity to drive the electrolysis cell including wind and solar voltaic cells.
A compelling feature of this process option is that the time varying nature of wind and solar energy can be dealt with by providing for storage of the H2 and Br2 produced. During periods of peak energy production, excess Br2 would be produced and stored. During periods of low or negligible energy consumption the stored Br2 would be used to run the GRT backend process until such time as power can be restored.