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step 2: Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
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Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
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http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
intro: Separate Hydrogen and Oxygen from Water Through Electrolysis
Electrolysis a method of separating elements by pushing an electric current through a compound. It is used in various industrial applications such as removing copper
from its ore. It is also used to separate hydrogen and oxygen from water. Electrolysis isn't the most efficient way to obtain hydrogen, but it is one of the easiest and
cheapest ways to "homebrew" hydrogen.
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. With the "green-energy" craze and talk of powering our future oil-free economy on hydrogen, it has gotten much
attention in the last few years. Learning about this potential fuel of the future is important and interesting. Besides, hydrogen is a powerful fuel, and blowing stuff up in the
name of science is fun .
Image Notes
1. Twice as much hydrogen as oxygen
As everyone knows a water molecule is formed by two elements: two positive Hydrogen ions and one negative Oxygen ion. The water molecule is held together by the
electromagnetic attraction between these ions. When electricity is introduced to water through two electrodes, a cathode (negative) and an anode (positive), these ions
are attracted to the opposite charged electrode. Therefore the positively charged hydrogen ions will collect on the cathode and the negatively charged oxygen will collect
on the anode.
When these ions come into contact with their respective electrodes they either gain or lose electrons depending on there ionic charge. (In this case the hydrogen gains
electrons and the oxygen loses them) In doing so these ions balance their charges, and become real, electrically balanced, bona fide atoms (or in the case of the
hydrogen, a molecule).
The reason this system isn't very efficient is because some of the electrical energy is converted into heat during the process. There have been reports of 50%-70%
efficiency, but I doubt that is possible in a home environment. Anyway, enough with the boring stuff, lets go make some gas!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
Image Notes
1. Twice as much hydrogen as oxygen
step 2: Materials
****DISCLAIMER**** You are putting electricity into water. It has the potential to be dangerous. Do so at your own risk. Be smart about it. If you wouldn't touch it with your
hands don't stick it in the water. If you're worried about it wearing rubber gloves will give some extra insulation. ****DISCLAIMER****
****DISCLAIMER**** Hydrogen is highly flammable and explosive (think Hindenburg). The amount we're making isn't extremely dangerous, but be careful. Flying shards
of glass are never fun.****DISCLAIMER****
Separating Hydrogen and oxygen from water is really simple. It can be as easy as sticking two wires leading from a battery into water and watching the bubbles form. We
however want to collect all the little bubbles, so its just slightly more complicated.
@ (1) Med.Container - To hold water. Preferably clear so you can see whats going on.
@ (1 or 2) Gas Collecting Containers - A test tube, or an old soda bottle like me. Also clear. 2 if you want to collect both the hydrogen and the oxygen
@ (1) Power Source - I use a 12v 1000mA adapter, 9v batteries (in a series) and other sources work too. Bigger the power source, faster the bubbles form.
@ (2) Graphite Electrodes - Optional. You can stick a bare wire into the water, but it corrodes pretty quick. You can pull them out of a 6v Lantern Battery
@ Salt
@ Water
Image Notes
1. Power Source
2. Standard Table Salt
3. Collector - I'm having trouble finding my other one......
4. Tap Water
5. Wire - My electrodes, I don't have any graphite.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
step 3: Water and Salt
Water alone is not a very good conductor. You need to add some sort of electrolyte. Regular old table salt works fine. Add as much as will dissolve into the water, and
don't worry about it if there is some sitting on the bottom, it really doesn't matter. Pour this salt/water solution into your med. container, and also fill your 1 or 2 gas
collecting containers
Image Notes
1. Gas container into the water.....
http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
Image Notes
1. Positive electrode (hydrogen) inside gas collecting container
The electrodes do corrode if you don't have graphite, its pretty gross, but i don't think its dangerous. (don't quote me)
Video
http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
step 7: Further Ideas
When your gas collecting container is full, try lighting it. The hydrogen will give a very satisfying *POP*, and the oxygen won't do anything.
Video
Notes:
For a bigger and better explosion, put both electrodes into the gas collecting container. Hydrogen needs oxygen to burn, and the ratio of 2:1 is the best ratio. That is what
we get when splitting water. You will get a much more powerful explosion.
I've personally always wanted to make a model rocket powered on hydrogen. I know that there is one that is sold on the market, but I don't remember what its called. I'll
look for it.
T3Hprogrammer and Kiteman suggest using baking soda rather than salt as an electrolyte. Table Salt (NaCL) has the potential of producing chlorine gas and sodium
hydroxide when introduced to electricity.
JakeTobak suggests using platinum electrodes instead of graphite as graphite will chip, splinter, and corrode. They're as cheap as a couple dollars, and can be found on
Ebay (thanks Kiteman)
Further Reading:
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Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 433 comments
http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
Highjump44 says: Apr 12, 2009. 9:05 AM REPLY
You got the positive and negative mixed up the negative produces Hydrogen and the Positive make oxygen there are many sites and books to back me up
heres one
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis_of_water
What can I use that I can find AROUND THE HOUSE to create the power? I need to have it able to do it in less than five minutes. Anyone?
Actually matches aren't great for this as they are chemically treated to stop them smouldering- a thin splinter of dry wood is much better.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
ReCreate says: Mar 19, 2009. 10:54 AM REPLY
Ok then...
Tonight I took a piece of 1" copper pipe and flattened it into a 2" x 4" plate. I used that for the negative electrode and stainless steel for the positive electrode
sice copper disintegrates if you use it as a positive electrode.
Amp draw was MUCH higher than for stainless steel alone and production seemed a lot higher too.
The 2 plates in a solution of Lye and distilled water yielded almost 30 amps. Plate spacing was about 1/16" (roughly).
If you decide to try the copper, please post your findings here for everyone's benefit.
Neutral plate (4 to 6 are best) cuts down the amps and you make more hydroxy and less steam.
Any suggestions? I am looking for a ratio of 1L/min/L of engine size or roughly 2L/min on my wife's car. 3+ L/min on my dad's S-10.
Key note is to have a (good air tight container). Any place other than the outlet tube of your electrolyzer tank is a huge loss in gas output. This is
almost always over looked when testing for out put.
A cell that can produce 1lpm with just the microscopic escape rout to find will cut down your flow rate substantially. You may then think the cell
itself is the problem.
The goals you have set for yourself are very high for automotive use. To achieve 2 and 3 lpm would require amperage from your cars alternator
that would surely pull hard on those alternators. 40 and above. Not to say you can't do it. Just unrealistic for automotive use.
1lpm will be fine, and the goal should be to find less energy input and have more output. No more than 25 to 30 amps max for automotive. And
use 10 gage wire.
I run these levels in my lab for torches ect at the rates you are looking for. The wire and hardware such as switches and relay and fuse protection
to run safely accounting for high heat temps from the water ect would have to be larger than 10 gage to handle the amperage. If not your wires
and switches will become very hot and may fail.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
placidus52 says: Mar 10, 2009. 5:48 PM REPLY
for the best explosion use a bigger test tube and fill it with water and then place it over the two electrodes the two full test tubes together will create a 2:1
combination. 2 parts hydrogen one part oxygen, caution do not use glass
I have a battery charger that goes in an outlet. It has a positive and negative thingamajigger, so would I be able to use that (easily) instead of batteries?
The use of HHO isn't intended to replace fossil fuels. It merely increases the efficiency of the burn and itself does burn.
The use of HHO in vehicles has been proven to increase MPG. The energy used to create HHO is from existing energy that is wasted. Your exhaust is
cooler (hint).
HHO burns cooler than fossil fuels. It's great to reduce NOx emissions.
There are many things needed to successfully double your MPG. And a PWM isn't necessarily one of them.
You will need, however, a method of fooling the vehicle's computer into thinking that it is running rich, instead of lean.
And if you use too much HHO without adjusting the timing (which I haven't heard of anyone doing this on a computer), you get severe flashback and the unit
can explode with great force.
If you use too much HHO and you have bad valves (i.e. sticking, burnt, etc), flashback can occur.
I have been able to increase my wife's MPG from 31 to between 42-45 on a level highway @ 65MPG (cruise on).
Also, a HHO generator does make some steam, which both cleans your induction system, exhaust system, and increases HP by making the mix in the
cylinder more dense.
If anyone knows a way for me to adjust the timing on a ODB II computer, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE contact me. The dealer says they can't do it.
I need to set timing to no more than zero degrees (TDC), and preferably turn off the advance.
Note: I did notice that the spark plugs looked a tiny bit rusty....LOL
To all the skeptics here: why not try a system for yourself? Personal experience can show that it does work. Even if you only got one extra MPG, you would
benefit. Generally, most people get from between 15% and 50% extra MPG with a unit alone. No electronics, just simply putting on a unit and hooking it up.
If you don't get an MPG increase, you DEFINITELY will feel the extra power.
I put one of my prototypes on a friends 2001 F150. The tires bark when shifting from 1st to second. Ummm, did I mention that is an automatic transmission?
He only got 3 extra MPG. That doesn't seem like much, but when you go from 15 to 18MPG, how much of a % increase is that?
Another item regarding HHO generators. They produce the most HHO when the cell is approximately 150 deg F. That usually takes about an hour of
operation. Once you get above 160 or so, you get more steam than HHO.
The only problem I can see if you have the HHO working properly in an ICE, is that you would have to replace your rusty exhaust more frequently.
A final note: did you know that you can weld a 16p nail to a rock if you use HHO? Or that you can fuse rubies together? Or weld copper to stainless?
BTW, thanks for the tip regarding the use of Magnesium Sulphate. I will give that a try here soon.
If you use a water vapor injection system alongside your Hydroxy unit, you can keep temperatures under control.
About timing settings: you need -12deg at idle and max advance of -3deg, with NO waste spark!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
El Mano says: Feb 13, 2009. 3:21 PM REPLY
What is hydroxy?
I use about a quart of distilled water and about 1 teaspoonful of baking soda to make the electrolyte. The amount of baking soda depends on the
amount of water you use and the plate spacing & plate arrangement.
You might want to use a DC ammeter and slowly put the baking soda in the water until you reach 1/3 of the maximum amps you intend to use.
As the water heats up, the amps can double or triple. My dad melted his unit by not keeping enough water in it.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
El Mano says: Mar 7, 2009. 6:40 PM REPLY
For some reason, I can't find the comment you made about my question below, so I'll reply here. I was using simple pencil graphite I tore from a
#2 pencil. I found some rods of a metal I that think is steel; I ran it with baking soda as my electrolyte for about two hours, and it doesn't appear to
have been corroded. As for amps, I have no idea how many are running through the water. I'm using about 7.5 volts which I'm getting from an old
cell phone charger plugged into a wall.
The soft #2 lead pencils have soft graphite. And the 'electrodes' you use are quite small.
Try using some plain old steel bolts and a car battery charger for experimenting. It's MUCH cheaper in the beginning.
Have you tried using a different electrolyte? Or not running as many amps?
I forgot something...
If you use Sodium Hydroxide as the electrolyte, and if any of it is sucked into your engine, it will cause the aluminum parts to disintegrate (making
hydrogen too).
Heads and other aluminum parts are quite expensive to replace just for the sake of saving a few$ on fuel.
Did you know that Apple Juice works too? Or Wine? Or Vinegar?
Even Urine will work if you are desperate.....
I wonder if I used a copper wire to initially turn the water green (slightly) and then go back to stainless.
Would the green copper solution make the water more conductive?
http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/