Influence of the separation of electrodes in the electrical power consumption for the production of oxyhydrogen with alkaline electrolyzers

• Published in: 2019 IEEE International Autumn Meeting on Power, Electronics and Computing (ROPEC) pp. 1 - 5
• Main Authors: Jose Luis Sosa Pedraza, M.C., Tapia, Ing. Jose Enrique Munguia
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01-11-2019
• Subjects: Electric Power; Electrochemical processes; Electrodes; Electrolyzer; Gap; Hydrogen; Low cost; Microstructure; Oxihydrogen; Production; Steel
• ISSN: 2573-0770
• DOI: 10.1109/ROPEC48299.2019.9057070

Currently there is a great opportunity in Mexico since only 3.2% of hydrogen production is done by electrolysis [1]. One of the factors is the high cost of materials and electricity. The first can be dampened by increasing the current density that transits through the electrodes. The study of low cost and affordable materials in the market can boost the development of economical electrolysers and optimal performance. Materials such as AISI 316 steel [2]. The alteration of the surface microstructure, the electrolyte (caustic soda at 20% by weight) and the separation of the electrodes directly affects the electrical consumption[3]. In this study we experimented with different gaps between electrodes (2.8, 4.0, 6.3, 10, 14, 20mm), resulting in the separation of 10 mm as the highest production of oxyhydrogen gas at a lower electricity consumption.