whats better for electrolysis, 12vdc or 24-70vac?
hello, i am wanting to make large amounts of potassium and sodium chlorate and perchlorate, through electrolysis, but am a little stumped at my current position
right now, i am clueless as to what is better, a 12v dc @500ma battery charger , to electrolys salt, or, a christmas lights power supply station wich gives out 24-70 volts ac, at something around 1-3 amps. though some research i have not been able to determine wether ac is better and safer than dc or vice versa, when making chlorates in electrolysis. i have heard that ac apparently is better because it generates heat which allows for a faster reaction than dc, but also ive heard ac power at those voltages may just jump from one electrode to another through the air, and not do any electrolysis at all. whereas dc is just weak.
someone pleas ehlp me out!
right now, i am clueless as to what is better, a 12v dc @500ma battery charger , to electrolys salt, or, a christmas lights power supply station wich gives out 24-70 volts ac, at something around 1-3 amps. though some research i have not been able to determine wether ac is better and safer than dc or vice versa, when making chlorates in electrolysis. i have heard that ac apparently is better because it generates heat which allows for a faster reaction than dc, but also ive heard ac power at those voltages may just jump from one electrode to another through the air, and not do any electrolysis at all. whereas dc is just weak.
someone pleas ehlp me out!
7
answers
|
Answer it!
|
sort by:
active |
newest |
oldest
hmm, son your saying that ac will have no or verry little effecrt on the electrolysis proccess?
strange, because i remember in science class that , in abook explaining electrolysis, it said an "ac current is used", not dc.
also, you say that its the wattage that is what does electrolysis, not the actual voltage, in relation to the current. aka 12v @ 100ma wont do more than 6v @ 10A.
because i do have access to a charger that gives out 9v @ 2A
lastly, is it safe to put dc power outputs (battery chargers) in series to gain a higher output?, or is it possible, to do electrolysis, with 3 chargers, all going at 12v 500ma, all elelectrolysing theyre own electrodes in the same solution? meaning ill have 6 electroded in there, 3 anodes, 3 cathodes.
strange, because i remember in science class that , in abook explaining electrolysis, it said an "ac current is used", not dc.
also, you say that its the wattage that is what does electrolysis, not the actual voltage, in relation to the current. aka 12v @ 100ma wont do more than 6v @ 10A.
because i do have access to a charger that gives out 9v @ 2A
lastly, is it safe to put dc power outputs (battery chargers) in series to gain a higher output?, or is it possible, to do electrolysis, with 3 chargers, all going at 12v 500ma, all elelectrolysing theyre own electrodes in the same solution? meaning ill have 6 electroded in there, 3 anodes, 3 cathodes.
DC. You're essentially trying to plate electrodes with salt out of solution. Electroplating is a DC operation.
Dec 17, 2010. 6:31 AMygsh
says:
If you use DC then oxidation is ensured at one electrode (cathode) and reduction at the other (anode).
But if you use AC, then in a cycle the electrolyte would be reduced in the first half and then oxidised in the next half of the cycle, leaving the electrolyte as it is.
But please verify.
But if you use AC, then in a cycle the electrolyte would be reduced in the first half and then oxidised in the next half of the cycle, leaving the electrolyte as it is.
But please verify.
I believe that electrolysis won't go properly in AC, as each electrode is positive and negative for equal amounts of time, so it will go there and back, with only minute amounts of molecules that were near the electrode would break...
If you don't know what you're doing with electricity, I should think it a very bad idea to be playing with "large amounts of potassium and sodium chlorate and perchlorate" - Leave it alone, it'll be dangerous.
L
Like all things, work done will be a function of wattage. The 12v supply will put out 6 watts of power, where the other will put out minimum 24 watts, maximum 210 watts...a watt of AC will do the exact same work as a watt of DC. The heating should be the same also (worky work).
Depending exactly on the application (I can't be specific) it may help or hinder that the current fluctuates -- this can cause the expected splitting reaction, but the reverse current in quick succession can re-absorb the electrons just emitted and rejoin some of the molecules. I'm sure we have a pro around here who can speak to it more clearly.
Depending exactly on the application (I can't be specific) it may help or hinder that the current fluctuates -- this can cause the expected splitting reaction, but the reverse current in quick succession can re-absorb the electrons just emitted and rejoin some of the molecules. I'm sure we have a pro around here who can speak to it more clearly.
 |
