One basic question - Hydrolize Water

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of hydrolyzing water at significant depths, particularly focusing on the effects of pressure on gas production through electrolysis. Participants explore the implications of depth on gas volume and the energy requirements for electrolysis in high-pressure environments.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether there is a specific water depth at which electrolysis can no longer produce gas, suggesting that pressure might limit the process.
  • One participant clarifies that hydrolysis typically refers to the cleavage of chemical bonds by water, while electrolysis specifically involves the decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen gases using an electric current.
  • There is a discussion about the pressures involved, with one participant mentioning that electrolysis could be affected by extreme pressures that might alter the nature of matter.
  • Another participant notes that at a depth of 100 feet (approximately 4 atmospheres), electrolysis can still occur, but the volume of gas produced will be influenced by temperature and pressure conditions.
  • It is mentioned that while the mass of gas produced remains constant based on the initial mass of water, the volume may decrease due to the surrounding pressure, and additional energy is required to overcome this pressure during electrolysis.
  • One participant raises the idea that some may be exploring the potential for generating power through electrolysis at depth, leveraging the buoyancy of gases produced.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that electrolysis can occur at depth, but there is no consensus on the specific effects of pressure on gas production and the conditions under which electrolysis might become ineffective.

Contextual Notes

The discussion touches on the complexities of electrolysis under varying pressure conditions and the assumptions regarding gas behavior in high-pressure environments. There are unresolved questions about the limits of electrolysis as pressure increases.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring electrolysis, high-pressure chemistry, and the practical applications of gas production in underwater environments.

jeffmikl
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Is there a water depth at which the gas can no longer be created by hydrolysis, or can something be done to push the depth?

Jeff
 
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Welcome to PF;
Hydrolysis usually means the cleavage of chemical bonds by the addition of water.
Hydrolysis under high hydrostatic pressure is a common industrial technique so the answer would depend on the reaction you are interested in.

But perhaps you thinking of electrolysis?

Electrolysis of water is the decomposition of water (H2O) into oxygen (O2) and hydrogen gas (H2) due to an electric current being passed through the water.
 
Yes you are correct. Sorry, I got the terms mixed up.
 
What kind of pressures are we talking about? Tens of atm? Hundreds? Millions? Billions? At some point notion of a chemical looses its meaning and compressed matter becomes a quark gluon plasma. Somewhere between this stage and the parameters we observe on Earth surface electrolysis will stop to work (together with chemistry).
 
Ok let's say at 100 feet in depth. Is there a significant loss in the production volume of gases?
 
What is the question now?

Volume of produced gases will be substantially lower, but that's just an ideal gas at work.
 
Yes I think the question needs to be refined.
The first, and often toughest step, in scientific method is to ask a meaningful question.

Where is this question coming from?


You can electrolyze water at 100 feet - the pressure is only about 4 atmos.
For a given mass of water electrolyzed, the volume of gas that results will depend on the temperature of the gas.
If you are prepared to heat it, then it can have any volume you like.
You do need to expend more energy to electrolyze water at greater depth - precisely because you have to expand the resulting gas bubble against the pressure of the surrounding water. But you could just do the electrolysis in a specially constructed pressure vessel.

The mass of gas will be the same because that depends only on the mass of water you started with.

Once produced, if not kept in a container, the gas will escape and maybe get dissolved into the water before it reaches the surface.

Every now and again, someone figures they can generate power using electrolysis at depth and the natural buoyancy of the gasses.
Perhaps this is what you are wrestling with?
 
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