AC Electrical heating - Clay sediments

[wildwildwest]

I am working on a project involving electrically heating clayey soils (having 55% moisture content and 0.5 M salt (nacl/KCl) solutions in the pore space.

Does anybody know if electrolysis of water/electrolyte is a concern with AC currents (230 V, 60 Hz frequencies)?

Thanks,
WWW :smile:

[Bystander]

"A concern?" You mean "will electrolysis of water and salts take place?" Yes. If that concerns you, then it is a concern. If the electrolysis products are a concern, yes, also.

[russ_watters]

However, electrolysis requires sending electricity through the water. You're talking about sending electricity through wires in the water. Not the same thing.

[Bystander]

However, electrolysis requires sending electricity through the water. You're talking about sending electricity through wires in the water. Not the same thing.

He didn't say he was just shoving electrodes into the ground, did he --- duh.