Completing an electric circuit with salt water

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of completing an electric circuit using salt water as an electrolyte with two electrodes, while avoiding electrolysis and corrosion of the electrodes. Participants explore the implications of using alternating current (AC) versus direct current (DC) and the effects of varying power levels.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to use salt water in a circuit without causing electrolysis or corrosion of the electrodes.
  • Another participant inquires about the specific voltages and currents being used in the experiment.
  • A participant mentions that the referenced paper discusses low power applications (tens of Volts and mAmps) and questions whether results would differ at high power (kiloWatts).
  • There is a suggestion that the behavior of the solution could change significantly depending on current density.
  • One participant raises a concern that at high alternating currents, electrolysis may occur, leading to corrosion of the electrodes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether electrolysis will occur at high power levels or the implications for electrode corrosion. Multiple competing views remain regarding the behavior of the solution under different current conditions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the relationship between current density and electrolysis, as well as the specific conditions under which corrosion may or may not occur. The effects of different power levels on the chemical reactions in the electrolyte are also not fully resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in electrochemistry, circuit design, and the effects of different current types on electrolytic solutions may find this discussion relevant.

amrmohammed
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Howdy!

I would like to complete an electric circuit using salt water and two electrodes, however I don't want my electrodes to corrode or change the chemistry of the electrolyte (salt water), so I don't want electrolysis to take place. Is this possible?

I read in a published paper that electrolysis don't take place when using AC current and Cu or Zn as electrodes and in that case "the solution behaves much like resistance and the energy is wasted in heating of the solution." Does corrosion take place in this case? does any other chemical reaction take place?

The paper I referred to attached to the thread or from (http://goo.gl/hdzyBf )

Thank you,
 

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What voltages and/or currents?
 
Exactly .. in the paper they used low power (tens of Volts and mAmps) .. I want to investigate this on high power (kiloWatts)
Do you think it will be different?
 
amrmohammed said:
(kiloWatts)
Do you think it will be different?
Depending upon current density (i/Aelectrode), it could be spectacular.
 
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So for high alternating currents the solution won't behave as a resistor, electrolysis will take place and electrodes will corrode?
 

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