Thermodynamic, kinetic, and mass balance aspects of coal-depolarized water electrolysis

The authors describe their work on the 'coal-assisted electrolysis of water', investigating the thermodynamic aspects of the reaction process and the analysis of the coals before and after the electrochemical reaction. Thermodynamic considerations suggest that energy efficiencies greater than about 50% should be attainable by reaction at operating potentials lower than about 0.7V. Analysis of coal, lignite and peat residues partially consumed by anodic oxidation indicates that the oxygen content of these materials is increased, and the volatile matter and hydrogen content is lowered. The heating values of all the samples are lowered by anodic oxidation. The selectivity of the reaction for different components of the solid fuels seems to be influenced by whether the reaction is potentiostatic or galvanostatic. It is not yet clear whether 100% conversion of the coal can be achieved by anodic oxidation.