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Shan43
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Hydrogen production rate is typically measured in current density, but what is the area in which the current is divided by to find such a value?
Maybe the cross-sectional area of the electrolyte in the reaction volume of the electrolysis apparatus? Can you post some links to what you have been reading about electrolysis to help us understand your question better?Shan43 said:Hydrogen production rate is typically measured in current density, but what is the area in which the current is divided by to find such a value?
Well this wasn't based off of much reading per say, but for context I'm talking about an alkaline electrolyzer where a battery (9V battery that alligator clips can attatch to) serves as a power source and wires connect to an ammeter which would then connect to an electrode. The charge will flow through the electrolyte solution to other electrode which connects through a wire back to the battery on the negative end. What would the area the current should be divided by in this context?berkeman said:Maybe the cross-sectional area of the electrolyte in the reaction volume of the electrolysis apparatus? Can you post some links to what you have been reading about electrolysis to help us understand your question better?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis
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It seems like Borek's reply applies Occam's Razor:Shan43 said:The charge will flow through the electrolyte solution to other electrode which connects through a wire back to the battery on the negative end. What would the area the current should be divided by in this context?
Borek said:Electrode surface.
Ok, thank you guys very much!berkeman said:It seems like Borek's reply applies Occam's Razor:
Current density is a measure of the amount of electric current flowing through a unit area of the electrolyzer unit. It is typically expressed in units of amperes per square meter (A/m²).
To calculate current density in an electrolyzer unit, the total current passing through the unit is divided by the total surface area of the unit. This provides the average current density for the entire unit.
The main factors that affect current density in an electrolyzer unit include the design and size of the unit, the type and concentration of electrolyte used, the temperature and pressure of the system, and the efficiency of the electrodes.
Current density is important in an electrolyzer unit because it directly affects the efficiency and performance of the unit. Higher current densities can lead to faster and more efficient production of desired products, but can also cause increased energy consumption and potential safety hazards.
Current density can be controlled in an electrolyzer unit by adjusting the voltage and current settings, as well as the design and materials of the electrodes. The concentration and temperature of the electrolyte can also be optimized to achieve desired current density levels.