Creation of forced convection at water electrolysis by means of external magnetic field

V. N. Zaichenko - I. O. Slobodyanyuk - I. A. Rusetskyi

V.I. Vernadskii Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the Ukrainian NAS, 32--34 Palladin Avenue, 03142 Kyiv, Ukraine

Abstract
Experimental results which prove indirectly MHD effects at water electrolysis in an external constant magnetic field presumably due to electron emission from the cathode at the gas-electrolyte interface have been obtained. The joint conductive action of the constant magnetic field on the electric current in the electrolyte and on the flow of charged particles moving over the surface of hydrogen and oxygen bubbles under different orientation of the current I and magnetic field B vectors is also considered. The paper presents images of forces acting when applying a constant magnetic field to the electrolyte and gas bubbles during electrolysis, which explain the occurrence of convective gas-liquid flows. It is shown that by changing the parameters of electrolysis, topography and orientation of the electrodes, the strength and direction of the constant magnetic field it is possible to control forced convection of electrolyte. Such convection assists in enhancing the efficiency of the water electrolysis process. Figs 8, Refs 24.