- #1
Maija Brandt
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Is separating hydrogen and oxygen molecules possible? If so, how?
Can you separate hydrogen and oxygen molecules?
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Discussion Overview
The discussion centers around the possibility of separating hydrogen and oxygen molecules, particularly through the decomposition of water. Participants explore various methods, implications, and safety considerations related to this process, as well as alternative methods of hydrogen separation.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
- Experimental/applied
Main Points Raised
- Some participants inquire whether the discussion pertains to separating the gases or decomposing water to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
- A participant mentions an idea about repelling hydrogen specifically, separate from water and oxygen.
- Several participants confirm that decomposing water is a common process, often achieved through electrolysis, but caution about the energy required and safety concerns.
- There are warnings against attempting the process without professional supervision and a safety audit, with references to historical incidents involving hydrogen.
- One participant notes the high energy cost of separating water into hydrogen and oxygen compared to the energy that can be obtained from burning them.
- Another participant discusses the potential of separating hydrogen from hydrocarbons using membranes, highlighting its application in fuel cells and current use in US Navy submarines.
- A mention of NASA's engines that utilize hydrogen and oxygen for thrust, producing only water as a byproduct, is also made.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally agree that decomposing water is possible and commonly done, particularly through electrolysis. However, there are multiple competing views regarding the efficiency and safety of the process, as well as alternative methods for hydrogen separation, leaving the discussion unresolved on certain aspects.
Contextual Notes
Participants express uncertainty about the energy efficiency of various methods for separating hydrogen and oxygen, and there are unresolved questions regarding the specific techniques and safety measures required for these processes.
- #2
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Are you talking about separating the two gases, or are you talking about decomposing water to produce hydrogen and oxygen?Maija Brandt said:
- #3
berkeman
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Is this related to your other thread?Maija Brandt said:
Maija Brandt said:
- #4
Maija Brandt
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Yes, this is.berkeman said:
- #5
Maija Brandt
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Decomposing water.Chestermiller said:
- #6
itfitmewelltoo
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Yes. Did this when I was 10. It's very easy
- #7
berkeman
Admin
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Electrolysis. Just be careful with the Hydrogen gas that you generate. You put a lot of energy into the water to get it to split into Hydrogen and Oxygen...Maija Brandt said:
- #8
davenn
Science Advisor
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Maija Brandt said:
it's a common process,Maija Brandt said:
do some personal research and google it ... there should be lots of results
- #9
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Don’t do this without professional supervision and a safety audit.Maija Brandt said:
- #10
itfitmewelltoo
- 55
- 15
Sorry, that was muratic acid and zinc. It the same process.
- #11
davenn
Science Advisor
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Chestermiller said:
yeah, I should have mentioned that in my response
cheers
Dave
- #12
phyzguy
Science Advisor
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- #13
diogenesNY
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Might be worth noting that it is pretty expensive (energy-wise) to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen... that is to say it costs more energy to separate them than one can reasonably expect to get back by burning one, the other or both.
On the other hand, separating hydrogen from hydrocarbons is a much less costly procedure, and is being done with membranes (Palladium, alloys, and now even some stainless steel alloys - experimentally) ... This technology is seen as having serious potential for hydrogen generation for use in fuel cells. This sort of thing is in its early stages, but is currently being used aboard some US Navy submarines for power generation.
diogenesNY
On the other hand, separating hydrogen from hydrocarbons is a much less costly procedure, and is being done with membranes (Palladium, alloys, and now even some stainless steel alloys - experimentally) ... This technology is seen as having serious potential for hydrogen generation for use in fuel cells. This sort of thing is in its early stages, but is currently being used aboard some US Navy submarines for power generation.
diogenesNY
- #14
Lord Jestocost
Science Advisor
Gold Member
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Maija Brandt said:
Photocatalytic water splitting: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photocatalytic_water_splitting
- #15
itfitmewelltoo
- 55
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I believe that this is why my chemistry set experiment use muratic acid with one anode zinc and the other I can't recall. At ten, I wasn't using a high voltage.diogenesNY said:
This was back in the 70s when chemistry set included actual chemicals and all the ingredients for gun powder could be purchased at the hobby shop and drugstore.
My Stepfather did electrolysis for his copper plating but that required a substantial power supply.
- #16
itfitmewelltoo
- 55
- 15
Something to note.is that NASA has engines that combine hydrogen and oxygen for thrust. It creates nothing but water. (No reference)
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