Intensification of water electrolysis in a centrifugal field

The intensification of the production of hydrogen and oxygen, i.e., water electrolysis, was achieved in a centrifugal acceleration field. This was demonstrated by measuring the cell voltage and the electrode potentials for cells operated with and without centrifugal fields, as a function of current density. Under industrial electrolysis conditions, greater reductions in cell voltage and in electrode potentials were achieved at a relative acceleration rate of 190 G compared to those in stationary conditions. The relationships between the cell performance and relative acceleration rate, applied G value, for different anode materials, temperature, and NaCl concentration are reported. The data is obtained in acid, neutral, and highly alkaline electrolyte solutions using linear sweep voltammetry, galvanostatic, and potentiostatic polarization techniques. A cell voltage reduction of up to 700 mV, an anode potential reduction of up to 500 mV, and a cathode potential reduction of up to 350 mV at 3 kA m(-2) are achieved at a relative acceleration rate of 190 G and 80degreesC, compared to those in stationary conditions. The saving in cell voltage, and thus energy consumption, are significantly larger than the small amount of energy required to rotate the cells. (C) 2002 The Electrochemical Society.