Use of a homopolar generator in hydrogen production from water

This paper examines the direct induction of a low voltage in a rotating electrode by outside magnets in hydrogen production. Possible gains include the absence of a generator, transformer and rectifier. Two configurations were experimentally examined. In the first (A), a disc was rotated at 2000–3000 rpm in a field around 0.9 T. The hydrogen-oxygen production was measured as a function of rotation speed. In a second (B), a permanent magnet was placed at each end of a propeller, which was made to rotate. The poles of the magnet passed over a series of conductors, themselves separated into groups. The pulsed potential induced in each group was applied directly to a conventional electrochemical cell, to produce H 2 and O 2. An economic gain in electrolysis by the use of homopolar generators seem difficult to realize using permanent high-strength magnets, but reduction in cost of equipment by around 50% appear likely using electromagnets.