page_title: Pulse electrolysis
section_title: Use in Magnetolisis
hierarchical_section_title: Pulse electrolysis / Experimental research / Use in Magnetolisis
caption_attribution_description: English: Drawing of Faraday disk, the first electromagnetic generator, invented by British scientist Michael Faraday in 1831. The copper disk (D) rotated between the poles of a horseshoe shaped magnet (A), creating a potential difference between the axis and rim due to Faraday's law of induction. If an electrical circuit such as a galvanometer was connected between the binding posts (B) and (B') the motion induced a radial flow of current in the disk, from the axle toward the edge. The current flows into the spring contact (m) sliding along the edge of the disk, out of binding post (B') through the external circuit to binding post (B) , and back into the disk through the axle. Turning it in the opposite direction reverses the direction of current. The caption also says that passing a current from a Bunsen cell (battery) through it would cause the disk to turn, making it function as an electric motor. The labeled parts are given in the caption as: (A) inducing magnet (D) induced disk (B) binding-screw for current entering or exiting axis of disk (B') binding-screw for current entering or exiting circumference of disk (m) rubber (sliding spring contact) for edge of disk. The caption describes it as 'Foucault's and Le Roux's apparatus' so this picture was not drawn from Faraday's original machine, but one owned by Faraday's contemporary French physicist Léon Foucault. The Faraday disk was an inefficient generator because counter-currents flowed back through regions of the disk outside the magnetic field. It was the first homopolar generator Alterations to image: cropped out caption and list of parts.
context_page_description: Pulse electrolysis is an alternate electrolysis method that utilises a pulsed direct current to initiate non-spontaneous chemical reactions. Also known as pulsed direct current electrolysis, the increased number of variables that it introduces to the electrolysis method can change the application of the current to the electrodes and the resulting outcome. This varies from direct current electrolysis, which only allows the variation of one value, the voltage applied. By utilising conventional pulse width modulation, multiple dependent variables can be altered, including the type of waveform, typically a rectangular pulse wave, and the duty cycle, which determines the waveform frequency.
  Currently, there has been a focus on theoretical and experimental research into PDC electrolysis in terms of the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen. Past research has demonstrated that there is a possibility it can result in a higher electrical efficiency in comparison to DC electrolysis. This would allow electrolysis procedures to produce greater volumes of hydrogen with a reduced electrical energy consumption.
context_section_description: Electrolysers require high currents produced by very low voltages. A homopolar generator has the ability to do this, so in Bockris and Ghoroghchian's original experiment in 1985, they followed Faraday's idea. Using a magnetic field of 0.86T produced by permanent magnets, they placed a stainless-steel disc in between. The disc needed a rotation speed of 2000 rpm to reach the correct electrical potential for electrolysis. The difference between Faraday's original model and Bockris and Ghorogchian's is that their disc will only rotate when it is in contact with an electrolyte.
  They encountered one large problem, a viscous force created by the electrolyte, that slowed down the motion of the disc. The two ways they could fix this is to rotate the disc and solution together or increase the magnetic field used. The latter being most practicable, the required magnetic field was calculated according to the power consumption rate or producing a cubic meter of hydrogen. It was discovered a magnetic field of 11T was needed for effective electrolysis, more than 16 times greater than what was originally used. Since superconducting magnets would be required, and they can become too expensive to justify their use, ruling this out as a possible method. 
  Their final decision was to use a homopolar generator as an external source of power. This follows Faraday's method more closely.
  In this method, a pulse potential was created to take advantage of previous studies that give an effectiveness factor of 2 when either a nickel electrode or a Teflon-bonded platinum electrode was used.
  The generator was constructed with a magnetic flux density of 0.6T, a propeller radius of 30 cm and a loop coated with copper strips. To increase the output potential, and reducing the rotation speed required, these were connected in series. Pulses of 2-3V that were sustained for 1ms were achieved.
  This was the first instance of a successful application of pulse electrolysis for the production of hydrogen. However, it still presents its own limitations in the possibility for it to be used in industry.
caption: Faraday disk generator the Magnetolysis design was based on
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