Electrolysis of Water

One important use of electrolysis is to produce hydrogen. The reaction that occurs is: 2H2O(aq) = 2H2(g) + O2(g)

This process is one way of shifting society toward using hydrogen as an energy carrier for powering internal combustion engines. Electrolysis of water can be achieved in a simple hands-on project, when electricity from a low-voltage DC power supply (e.g. 12 volt battery) is passed through a vessel of water.

In practice, some kind of electrolyte will need to be used. Electrolyte is a dilute mixture of minerals and water used to enhance the flow of electricity. Seawater is an ideal electrolyte but adequate substitutes are mineral water, spring water or even regular tap water.

The Hydrogen Generator utilizes the electrolysis process, with certain patent-applied-for modifications built in, to improve its efficency, durability and ease of operation. Gases are captured by the Generator, mixed with a filtered air flow, then directed to a vehicle's fuel intake system where they are combined with the vehicle's ordinary fuel/air mixture. The result is enhanced combustion, improved mileage and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The reduction in emissions is caused when non-polluting hydrogen adds combustion energy, replacing some of the ordinary fuel needed to power the vehicle.

Electrolysis works when an electric current is applied, through an electrolytic solution, between a cathode (negative pole) and an anode (positive pole). During electrolysis, hydrogen gas will be seen to bubble up at the cathode, and oxygen will bubble at the anode. The two gases combined in a free state, constitute what is called "Brown's Gas" (see Note below) If, however, the wrong metal is utilized for the anode, oxygen will react with the anode instead of being released as a gas. For example, using iron electrodes in an electrolyte solution, will produce iron oxide at the anode, which will react to form iron hydroxide. When producing large quantites of hydrogen, this can significantly contaminate the electrolytic cell reducing its hydrogen output. This is why iron is not used by the H2 Eco-Tech Hydrogen Generator.

The energy efficiency of water electrolysis varies widely. The efficiency is a measure of what fraction of electrical energy used actually produces hydrogen and oxygen. Some of the electrical energy is converted to heat and some reports quote efficiencies between 50-70%. This efficiency is based on the Lower Heating Value of Hydrogen...thermal energy released when hydrogen is combusted. This does not represent the total amount of energy within the gas since, hydrogen itself, releases a large amount of energy when it combines with oxygen to form water. Water formed during the combustion process will not contaminate or oxidize engine cylinder components since the heat of combustion reduces any water formed to steam that is expelled through the engine's exhaust valves. Likewise, the H2 Eco-Tech Hydrogen Generator uses no lye or other chemical substances that could attack engine components.

The theoretical maximum efficiency of electrolysis can be as high as 80-94%. This maximum considers the total amount of energy absorbed by both the hydrogen and oxygen. These values only refer to the efficiency of converting electrical energy into chemical energy (combustible gasses). The energy lost in generating the electricity is not included. If, however, electrolysis is accomplished using an underutilized electrical source that already exists (the excess, unused capacity of an automobile alternator, for instance), high efficiency can be routinely achieved.