[Yakov]

thank you vending. Since we are useing AC current collecting the gases seperatly isnt a possibility. so putting them closer makes a lot of sense. originally i put them as far apart as possible. dont know where i got that logic but ill adjust my experiment. homefully that will reduce heat.

[hallenrm]

Originally Posted by Vending

I do not agree with your reasoning here. The higher the conductivity, the lower the resistance, the less energy is lost to heat. That is to say that heat is generated by pushing current through a resistor. This is how an electric heating element (as in an electric stovetop) works. You run current through the element which is a resistor and you generate heat.

I think that quite the opposite of what you suggest would happen, that is, as you increase the salinity of the solution, you will lower the resistance and, hence, reduce the energy lost to heat.

There is a difference in between electrolyltic conduction and mettalic conduction. While the electrolytic conduction is through the movement of ions to the electrodes, Metallic conduction, as in the case of metal resistors, is through promotion of electrons to the conduction band, which then move through the wire/heating element.

My observations, as regard to heating tap water with the help of two stainless steel shaving blades as electrodes, suggests that addition of an electrolyte is really not neccessary, higher the electrolyte concentration more is the electrode reactions on the two electrodes which (I beleive, bi\ut not very sure) proceeds at lower voltages than electrolytic decomposition of water.

[GAHD]

Originally Posted by Yakov

...Is there a way to convert ac to dc?

A power Rectifier? It's a pritty cheap circuit to make, and its components are available off the shelf or scavenged out of other electronics.

wiki is da bomb

You could even just take the power supply for a game system and use that for a low voltage DC.

[Yakov]

Thanks.. Will an old laptop power cord work?.. ill give that a shot.

[Jay-qu]

lol, maybe.. you can get basic rectifying circuits at electronics stores, either to put together yourself or pre-made. And that would definitly work.

[GAHD]

Originally Posted by Yakov

Thanks.. Will an old laptop power cord work?.. ill give that a shot.

If the output from the laptop cord says "x" volts DC, then yes. It should be labeled.

[Yakov]

I spent about 80 dollars on random little electric stuff at radio shakc the other day and havent used any of it.. ive found that there is a surprisingly small amount of information on the internet for begining electricians. Ill look up the rectifier though. I havent had time between school and work to work on my electrolizer (is that the word).. or would you call it an electrolysis machine.. anyway. thank you all.

[Jay-qu]

electrolytic cell..

rectifiers consist of a transformer, half or full wave rectifier (diodes) a capacitor to smooth and a voltage regulator or load.

[redeagle]

First of all Jay-qu, . You obviously have great potential for knowlege, but you are giving people bad information. Don't quote it if you can't provide documentation. But I do urge you, please continue your research, we need more bright minds working towards a self sufficient nation.

AC electricity will not cause the hydrogen you just reduced to oxidize. The sine wave is a change of magnitude and direction of current only. There are highly efficient "Water torch" systems on the market today that use neither a rectifier or a transformer. Plug them in the wall fill it with water and turn them on.

DO NOT USE NaCl AKA: SALT as and electrolyte. Clorine ions oxidize easier than oxygen. Thus you will be producing clorine gas which is deadlier than buring the hydrogen you are producing.

Use a strong base such as NaOH (lye), KOH, or a mixture. 100% lye crystals/powder is available for purchase online and in most hardware stores with the drain cleaners. USE GLOVES concentrated Lye WILL BURN YOU!!!

Tap water contains alot of chemicals, use distilled water or filtered well/spring water. Add lye slowly until you reach a safe maximum amperage. Never go above your amperage/voltage rating on ur cables. If you do they will melt. I've done it, it's not fun.

For the people that have tried or thinking about trying to taping a piece of metal to the lead and neutral wires and plugging it into an AC socket, forget it. The voltage is too high for that type of system. Use a variac transformer start low and raise it slowly until the reaction starts. If you are just playing keep you amperage low.

Never boil your water with ur electrolysis system. If you do, know what can happen before it starts to boil. Failing to plan is planning to fail.

Outside of electrode arrangement which you can easily find on the internet, it the material. stainless steel or other corrosive resistant metal is a must. General rule of thumb if electroplating put it on, it will take it off.

Last but not least document and publish your research even if it's just in a forum like this or a public blog.

[Moontanman]

Originally Posted by Turtle

I expect that each electrode produces both Oxygen & Hydrogen, that it doesn't recombine, & that the gases fill the tubes displacing all the electrolyte in them after some period of time.

I have the necessary apparatus & plan to conduct the experiment in the next few days.


Any conductor is sufficient. Do you mean that carbon doesn't electrolyze?

Turtle, if you use AC for electrolysis you will get a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen at each electrode. Only DC will seperate them one at each electrode. You'll blow up dude You could use fluctuating DC at any frequency but not AC!

When I was in high school I once ran an experiment with high voltage DC through a brine solution. I had a ballon flask to catch the chlorine and it ran over night but the really large ballon flask broke the next day releasing a huge cloud of chlorine, they had to evacuate the entire school. I had the entire system sealed so it would build up pressure. Now days homeland security would probably have hauled me off