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PPonte
If water is so plentiful in Nature, why to not use its electrolysis in industry to obtain hydrogen?
Electricity costs money and at the moment it is much cheaper to produced hydrogen from natural gas, light oil or coal, with only 4% by electrolysis.PPonte said:If water is so plentiful in Nature, why to not use its electrolysis in industry to obtain hydrogen?
The electrolysis of water is a chemical process in which an electric current is passed through water to break it down into its two components, hydrogen and oxygen. This process involves the use of two electrodes, typically made of metal, which are connected to a power source. When an electric current is passed through the water, it causes the water molecules to split into hydrogen ions (H+) and oxygen ions (O2-).
The electrolysis of water is important because it is a sustainable and renewable way to produce hydrogen, a clean and efficient energy source. Hydrogen can be used as a fuel for vehicles, to generate electricity, and in various industrial processes. By using renewable sources of electricity, such as solar or wind power, to perform electrolysis, we can produce hydrogen without increasing our carbon footprint.
The products of the electrolysis of water are hydrogen gas (H2) and oxygen gas (O2). These gases are produced in a 2:1 ratio, with twice as much hydrogen being produced as oxygen. These gases can then be collected and used for various purposes.
The electrolysis of water works by using an electric current to split water molecules into their component parts. This process is possible because water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a positively charged end (hydrogen) and a negatively charged end (oxygen). When an electric current is passed through the water, it causes the positively charged hydrogen ions to move towards the negative electrode (cathode) and the negatively charged oxygen ions to move towards the positive electrode (anode). At the electrodes, the ions gain or lose electrons, forming hydrogen and oxygen gas.
The rate of electrolysis of water can be affected by several factors, including the type of electrode used, the concentration of ions in the water, the voltage and current used, and the temperature of the water. For example, using a more reactive electrode, such as platinum, can increase the rate of electrolysis. Higher concentrations of ions in the water can also speed up the process, as more ions are available to be split. Increasing the voltage and current can also increase the rate of electrolysis, as can using warmer water, which allows the ions to move more freely.