Maximizing Brown Gas Production Using Electrolysis

[Loydi]

Breaking the hydrogen-oxygen bond in water with electrolysis creates a brown gas with a great deal of potential as a fuel for cars and homes. Some of this is being done, however, increasing the amount of H and O gas released would be a big plus. There are several variables using a 12 V dc current (auto). The electrolyte used seems to be the biggest. I am looking for a good combination of materials for the electrodes, electrolytes and any other variables that would enhance brown gas production. Loyd

 

[maajdl]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis_of_water

 

[russ_watters]

Welcome to PF!

Water is not a fuel, it is a waste product of combustion. So any energy that you put into it to "unburn" it will be greater than what you get back by burning it again.

 

[SteamKing]

'Brown gas' is not a fuel, unless you take ordinary gasoline and dye it brown. It's not clear what the OP is talking about, since both hydrogen and oxygen are colorless gasses.

 

[Loydi]

What I am doing is separating the H & O with electrolysis. The bond breaks readily with a 12 V DC current and about 5 amps. The resulting H is a good source of energy. I want to refine it using the best combination of electrolytes and metals for the process. Loyd

 

[Loydi]

SteamKing... The gas from breaking water using and electrolyte and a DC current is commonly referred to as brown gas.

 

[dlgoff]

'Brown gas' is not a fuel, unless you take ordinary gasoline and dye it brown. It's not clear what the OP is talking about, since both hydrogen and oxygen are colorless gasses.

Time for a thread closure I'm afraid. There is a Wiki page for Oxyhydrogen, which states:

Brown's gas[4] and HHO are fringe science terms for a 2:1 mixture of oxyhydrogen; its proponents claim that it has special properties.

Oh. And reference 4 is this:

Burning water and other myths

 

[russ_watters]

What I am doing is separating the H & O with electrolysis. The bond breaks readily with a 12 V DC current and about 5 amps. The resulting H is a good source of energy. I want to refine it using the best combination of electrolytes and metals for the process. Loyd

Yes, I understand what you are doing. Do you understand that the theoretical maximum efficiency possible from your complete cycle is zero and a more likely maximum efficiency is -80% (you put in 5x as much energy as you get back)?

Please read the provided links. Yes, it is time for a thread closure.