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Electrolysis and hydrogen

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member
I have seen the warning several times about the dangers of the hydrogen created by using electrolysis. Now, I have never tested the theory one way or the other - but I still can't conceive how the process could generate enough hydrogen (and the hydrogen remain concentrated) to be a risk other than in a VERY small space, ie a container with some sort of top over it.

Has anyone ever seen or heard of it causing an actual explosion and/or fire? Maybe the Mythbusters on TV need to test it for us!
 
It's possible that the electrolyte will gas off hydrogen in the same way that a charging battery will, but if the area is reasonably vented I can't imagine it posing any more hazard than the charging battery.

On the other hand, the basic high-school chemistry class demonstration of electrolysis is to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. In that case you do wind up with a supply of pure hydrogen which needs to be handled carefully. Maybe that's what you've heard about.
 
If you were ever standing beside a 12 volt car battery that exploded as a result of the hydrogen gas produced while trying to jump start (read spark generated from electrical contact) an engine, you wouldn't be asking this question. Battery exploded, sprayed acid, terrific noise from explosion. Luckily the battery was well below eye/ear level or major chemical burns would have resulted. As happened pants took most of liquid. Pants were almost instantly turned to perforated rags. Only takes one of these experiences to make you very careful after that. At least cover vent holes on battery with some type of rag to prevent combination of spark and gas. Been there done that. Don't want to do it again.
 
I think that the hydrogen has to be large enough in a concentrated area to make a boom with a spark. Kind of like Natural gas leaking in a home. Electrolysis process would need to create a large amount of Hydrogen, Very difficult.
 
YES! it will blow.
Have a scar in my lip to prove it.
Old camper we had, battery was under the front seat. Compartment about 7ft x2ft x 18in high.
Had a deep cycle batt under there charging. Pulled the lid up to see what was happenin' and removed the charger clips to check on the electrolite level. BAM!!!
I pulled the piece of plastic out of my lip and gums and thanx to daughters contact lens squirter washed out my eyes on the way to the emerg. room. Face and eyes healed ok.
 
Believe as Elboch said. A little old battery explosion is not a SMALL EXPLOSION !!!!!!!!! They are very serious . Know an practice proper way (JUNPING-ATTATCHING-REMOVING CABLES)to handle them.
 
Hydrogen rises at 11 times the rate of helium so if it is in a vented area or outside(where I do mine) electrolisys is safe. I witnessed several boats blow up when batteries were charged in closed areas so I know it can happen. Henry
 
Henry hit it on the head. The cautions the others have about blowing up batteries is all good advice, but those involve hydrogen building up in an enclosed space, whether that's the battery case or the engine compartment of a boat.

As long as your electrolysis tank is open so as not to trap any hydrogen and in a well-ventilated space, the usual precautions you should use when charging a battery will be sufficient to keep you out of trouble.
 
I guess I didn"t do a good job of phrasing the question - I was referring to the warnings I keep seeing on the use of electrolysis to remove rust, using a faily large open container. That is a somewaht different environment versus charging a battery. (That being said, I won"t be the one to test it by creating a spark around the process.)

I am, however, a total believer in the dangers of battery explosions caused by the hydrogen buildup in either the battery case and/or in a small enclosed area. I haven"t experienced it, but have heard too many descriptions of the results of those explosions!
 
Hi HillsOfTN",

Here's a basic experiment to see the reaction.

Take a small saucer and put some table salt on it. Next pour some vinegar over the salt. The off gas will be hydrogen/oxygen.

Light the dish on fire. It'll burn until the vinegar drys up and stops the reaction.

The flame will be white/blueish and be hard too see in a daylight lit room.

T_Bone
 
The Hydrogen generator has been arond for years. Go on line and you can buy them for your vehicle. I had a guy come from Florida in an old Crown Vic with a system on it. He had it plumbed into his air intake. According to his mileage numbers he was picking up about 3 to 5 miles per gallon.

(fuelsandlubestechnologies.org)
 
I seem to remember a high school chemistry experiment that was very similar. Produced hydrogen in a test tube - was enough to make a "pop" when you lit it.
 
Navy taught me that it's explosive at 6% by volume. Had battery rooms for back up power onboard, always had explosion proof exhaust fans running.
 
Although many of us have had "bad" experiences with batteries and hydrogen gas, I doubt you'd have any issues with an electrolysis bath in a well ventilated area............

Post this question on the John Deere forum...............a fellow that goes by the handle F-I-T has had a fair bit of experience using the electrolysis cleaning system and understands the chemistry behind it...........
 
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