Abstract: A process for the production of hydrogen and oxygen by the cleaving of water which involves the steps of (a) reacting water vapor and iodine vapor in the presence of cuprous iodide at a temperature of 125.degree. to 450.degree. C. to form hydrogen iodide and a solid oxygen-iodine intermediate; (b) recovering the hydrogen iodide formed in step (a); and (c) thermally or photolytically decomposing the recovered hydrogen iodide into hydrogen and iodine, continuously collecting and removing the hydrogen so formed.

Abstract: Calcium hydroxide and iodine are reacted with each other in the presence of water to produce calcium iodate and calcium iodide, the former of which precipitates from the reaction solution and is obtained by filtration and the latter of which is thereafter separated from the filtrate by evaporation separation. The calcium iodate is heated until it is converted into calcium oxide, whereafter there ensues generation of a mixed gas of iodine and oxygen. The mixed gas is cooled causing the iodine component thereof to solidify and pure oxygen gas is consequently liberated to be obtained as one product. The calcium iodide is solidified and subsequently heated under a current of steam to cause it to undergo conversion into calcium oxide with liberation of hydrogen iodide gas. The hydrogen iodide gas thus liberated is then separated by a known method into iodine and hydrogen which is obtained as another product.