Producing hydrogen using electrolysis while avoiding chlorine poisoning

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on producing hydrogen gas via electrolysis while mitigating the risks associated with chlorine gas production. Participants suggest using sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or sodium carbonate (washing soda) as safer alternatives to chloride electrolytes. The conversation also touches on the feasibility of using aluminum foil in conjunction with these electrolytes to generate hydrogen for applications like lifting balloons. Safety considerations regarding container materials and reaction management are emphasized throughout the dialogue.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrolysis and its chemical reactions
  • Knowledge of safe handling of hydrogen gas
  • Familiarity with sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate as electrolytes
  • Basic principles of gas containment and reaction monitoring
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and safety measures for using sodium bicarbonate in electrolysis
  • Explore the chemical reactions involved in using aluminum foil with sodium carbonate
  • Investigate safe storage solutions for hydrogen gas produced through electrolysis
  • Learn about the design and safety protocols for hydrogen-powered vehicles
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for hobbyists interested in DIY hydrogen production, educators teaching chemistry, and engineers exploring alternative fuel technologies.

Count Iblis
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I want to produce about ten cubic meters of hydrogen gas using electrolysis in my home. How do I make sure the chlorine gas that is also produced is not going to cause problems? :confused:
 
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Count Iblis said:
I want to produce about ten cubic meters of hydrogen gas using electrolysis in my home. How do I make sure the chlorine gas that is also produced is not going to cause problems? :confused:
You necessarily need to use a chloride as electrolyte? You can use sulphuric acid, or sodium hydroxide as well (for example).
 
Hmm... I *think* that sodium bicarbonate (Baking Soda) electrolyte in distilled water. I think that is pretty safe. My next-door neighbor is a grease burner, and currently experimenting with a hydrogen producing contraption in his diesel truck.

How do you plan to store 10 cu meters of Hydrogen gas?

People say that creating enough hydrogen volume to be used as a fuel is just a waste of time, but for the sake of us as potential consumers, and the planet I would love to see someone actually pull this off...

Best of Luck.

-map
 
I want to make a small hydrogen balloon that can lift a few kg.

So, instead of salt I just use baking soda or caustic soda?
 
Count Iblis said:
I want to make a small hydrogen balloon that can lift a few kg.

So, instead of salt I just use baking soda or caustic soda?
Yes. However you would do it faster with a chemical reaction; I used Al + Na2CO3 (sodium carbonate = washing soda) in a big glass container, to inflate a small balloon (without weights attached). I used Na2CO3 instead of NaOH (or an acid as HCl) because the reaction is less violent and NaOH doesn't attack glass.
To lift a few kg, a small balloon is not enough, you need a big balloon; I'm sure you can make the computation yourself.
(Of course, be careful not to approach any flame or hot object to the balloon, even because the sealing is never perfect).
 
Producing hydrogrn gas

hello

I want to make gas ballons that can fly,using hydrogen gas ..so i want to use this reaction

washing soda+water+aluminium foil..

But i don't know any risk involved in this and how much quantity to use..and before i had done this but the reaction was quite slow ..it took hours for balloon to get filled ..

can i use this reaction in plastic bottle of pepsi or coke..or i need to use only glass

Thanks
imran Ahmed
 
lightarrow said:
I used Na2CO3 instead of NaOH (or an acid as HCl) because the reaction is less violent and NaOH doesn't attack glass.

I intended: "because Na2CO3 doesn't attack glass."
 
imr said:
hello

I want to make gas ballons that can fly,using hydrogen gas ..so i want to use this reaction

washing soda+water+aluminium foil..

But i don't know any risk involved in this and how much quantity to use..and before i had done this but the reaction was quite slow ..it took hours for balloon to get filled ..

can i use this reaction in plastic bottle of pepsi or coke..or i need to use only glass

Thanks
imran Ahmed
You can use the container you prefer, provided it's not attacked by the strong alcaline solution, it sustains an increase in temperature due to the reaction, it's preferably transparent to monitor the reaction, preferably with no too thick walls to cool it quickly in case the reaction goes too fast and preferably made of something which could be heated, in order to accelerate the reaction if needed, or to accelerate its beginning.
 
hydrogen gas

is there any safe form of producing hydrogen gas by electrolysis without any adverse affects. so you would run vehicles that first are filled with water, battery starts engine, engine starts electrolysis, as well as top up the battery (plus storage tank contents remaining of h2 of previous drive out)
h2 is then created and stored in a safe container,and pumped to the engine
so energy from the engine feeds the battery generates h2 runs the vehicle and so on
thus eliminating need for hydrogen stops
just fill up with water at your local station every few thousand miles ,and maybe purchase a new battery
storage tank replaced every so many thousand miles for safety if needed ,along side
anything else affected by h2 in the vehicle plumbing etc.

just a thought = so no need for vast storage or transport of h2 problems
all built into the vehicles instead
 
  • #10
david s j said:
is there any safe form of producing hydrogen gas by electrolysis without any adverse affects. so you would run vehicles that first are filled with water, battery starts engine, engine starts electrolysis, as well as top up the battery (plus storage tank contents remaining of h2 of previous drive out)
h2 is then created and stored in a safe container,and pumped to the engine
so energy from the engine feeds the battery generates h2 runs the vehicle and so on
thus eliminating need for hydrogen stops
just fill up with water at your local station every few thousand miles ,and maybe purchase a new battery
storage tank replaced every so many thousand miles for safety if needed ,along side
anything else affected by h2 in the vehicle plumbing etc.

just a thought = so no need for vast storage or transport of h2 problems
all built into the vehicles instead

That would be a perpetual motion machine, right?
 

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