Marine Clays - Passing AC currents

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of passing alternating current (AC) through clayey soils, particularly focusing on the implications of electrolysis in the presence of moisture and salts. Participants explore concerns regarding energy loss due to electrolysis versus energy used for heating the clay, as well as the potential byproducts of electrolysis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant raises a concern about the electrolysis of water/electrolyte when using AC currents, questioning whether it poses a risk.
  • Another participant acknowledges that electrolysis will occur but suggests that as long as safety precautions are taken, it should be manageable.
  • A participant seeks 'rule of thumb' calculations to estimate the energy distribution between heating the clay and energy lost to electrolysis.
  • Concerns are expressed about the byproducts of electrolysis, particularly chlorine gas and chlorate, and whether they could cause issues.
  • A suggestion is made that the energy lost to ionization/deposition might not exceed 20%, depending on the salts and their concentrations in the clay.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of concern regarding electrolysis and its implications, with no consensus on the exact calculations or the extent of energy loss versus heating. Multiple competing views on the safety and efficiency of the process remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for specific information about the types of salts and their concentrations to make accurate calculations regarding energy distribution. There is also a lack of clarity on the potential hazards posed by the byproducts of electrolysis.

wildwildwest
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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:
 
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I'm not sure what you mean by "is a concern". Yes, the water will be electrolysed, but as long as you don't stick your fingers in the clay, you should be okay. Unless your concerned about shorting the power line, which is a valid concern. I'd use a rheostat in series with the clay and start with a high load resistance and keep turning it down in each successive try.

PS : Standard conductivity measurements of water are done using AC, and counts on the conductivity from the ions.
 
clays - electrical heating

Thanks for the reply,

Yes, my concern was with the shorting of the power line. Does anyone know of 'rule of thumb'/'back of envelope' calculations for determining how much of power energy put in goes into heating the clay and how much is lost in electrolysis?


Thanks,
WWW
 
When a chloride is electrolyzed, Cl2 gas will be produced. That's in addition to the H2, of course. Also, the Cl2 reacts further, which ends up with the generation of chlorate. Would any of these products cause a problem?
 
wildwildwest said:
Does anyone know of 'rule of thumb'/'back of envelope' calculations for determining how much of power energy put in goes into heating the clay and how much is lost in electrolysis?

You can calculate the energy going into ionization (actually deposition, since most salt are ionized by the polarity of water) if you know what salts are dissolved in the clay, and what their concentrations are. The rest goes into heating the clay.

I'd be surprised if more than 20% went into ionization/deposition.
 

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