Hi All,

I'm thinking what is happening is that the hydrogen bubbles are coming up to the liquid's surface so vigorously that it is causing the NaOH solution to form into microscopic droplets and rise out of the container. Almost like a microscopic dew of NaOH solution that is traveling as a vapor outside of the container. This may be what is irritating my throat.

I think the problem is that the large supply of bubbles that are formed are very tiny, not large bubbles; and this is causing a kind of vapor "pressure" that is pushing the droplets upward into the air, and dissipating into the air around the container. I noticed the edges of the upper lip of the glass jar above the liquid level is forming a white precipitate. That could be coming from rising and condensing vapors of NaOH solution.
That would explain the irritation of my throat when I am around the container. Now this is an interesting twist.

How would I control, or keep the NaOH solution vapors from rising into the hydrogen tube that feeds into the fuel cell? I think this would clog, or ruin the fuel cell. Wow, what a new glitch in the gears. Anybody have any ideas? Maybe I need a vapor filter of some kind? This is an interesting new twist that I didn't expect.

Time for brainstorming. Thanks for your interest.

Try using a fine steel wool as a filter to trap the NaOH, not sure if the steel wool would react to the chemical though

YW Good luck with your project, I'll keep watching from the side lines

That bubbler system you proposed was what I had in mind.

Hi Chris,

I think the rate of hydrogen production was never very high previously, so this problem never came up. These tungsten/carbide rods really put out the gas bubbles. I just wish I understood why mine are so tiny, and Dr. Griffin's videos show his bubbles as larger. I wonder if it has to do with the grain size of the electrode. If you look at grades of tungsten/carbide they quote grain size, as well as %cobalt:

http://www.innovativecarbide.com/html/grade_chart.html

I am using IC-325 rods / 3.5 grain size. I ordered the IC-6 rods with a 0.8 grain size. I will see if this makes a difference with bubble size. These rods (IC-6) also have a lower cobalt content. I'll see if this changes the reaction rate/bubble size in any way. I think the larger bubbles would not produce as much of a vapor. Just think how much splashing of liquid you get when alka-seltzer is dropped into water. It just seems to splatter out of the glass all over the counter, your hands, etc.

Well I ordered the lower cobalt/smaller grain size rods yesterday. I was using the 25% cobalt and larger grain size. They should be here in two weeks. In the meantime I am doing experiments with the aluminum rod regeneration. This cell was going fine until I added water, but I think the cup I used to refill the reactor with must have had a residual layer of dishwashing soap on it. I smelled it when I took a drink from the cup after I filled the reactor. A few minutes later (30-40 minutes) the entire inside of the reactor was white with a white residue coating the zinc rod. This morning the reactor was dead; everything covered with white. This shows me the importance of using deionized water only. It also shows me the importance of the rinse cycle in the dishwasher. I'll be checking the cups from now on.

The deeper I get into this project the more fascinated I become. I live for research, and research is really just an ability to identify and overcome problems to achieve a goal. This has been quite a journey, and I am trying to post everything I can so others don't need to commit the same mistakes and failures that I do.

Thanks Chris, have a good day everyone; and thank you for your interest.

Hi Brian,

The OH^- ions are regenerated in the cell by reacting with the silver colloid catalyst:

2Zn + 4Ag_c⁺ --> 4Ag_c + 2Zn⁺²
4Ag_c + 4H₂O --> 4Ag_c⁺ + 2H₂ + 4OH^-
------------------------------------------------------------
2Zn + 4H₂O --> 2Zn⁺² + 2H₂ + 4OH^-

And on the surface of the tungsten electrode the following reaction takes place:

4H₂O + 4e^- --> 2H₂ + 4OH^-


So the OH^- is regenerated and will only be lost through splattering or vaporizing out of the NaOH solution. I just need to keep that from happening. Once the fuel cell in contained in the unit (future design) the water will be recycled as well and should be a sealed system. Right now I am working on one problem at a time.

I am thinking of a design right now that rebubbles the hydrogen through the cell liquid first before it is sent to the fuel cell. I will post a picture soon. I am busy with family activities today and tommorrow so it won't be until Monday at the soonest.

Thank you for your interest.

Good job on all of your work.  I wish I knew more in the chemistry department, it's not one of my interests unfortunately.  I like the electrical stuff more.  If and when a stable cell is produced, I plan on connecting tens of them together to drive an engine and generate electricity for my house.  Maybe putting one in a car too?  Think of the applications   It's pretty cool when you think about it.