Carbonaceous anode depolarizers for electrolytic hydrogen production

Conference · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:6024335

McBreen, J

An extensive study has been made on the use of coal as an anode depolarizer for electrolytic hydrogen production. This included development of chemical treatments, screening of electrocatalysts and use of highly acid electrolytes to enhance the anode depolarization activity of coal. Electrocatalyst studies were carried out using model compounds such as formic acid and formate. In addition, considerable analytical work was carried out to identify the electrochemical oxidation products of lignite. Several electrocatalysts were identified for the oxidation of formic acid and formate. These included underpotential deposited metal monolayers on platinum and a Pt/Pd alloy. When the latter was used in a formate-depolarized electrolyzer, hydrogen could be produced at a current density of 526mA/cm/sup 2/ and a cell voltage of 1.16V. Several chemical treatments of coal such as alkali carbonate hydrolysis, molten ZnCl/sub 2/ treatments and the use of strongly acidic electrolytes enhance the anode depolarization activity of coal. However, the current density is still low (approx. 5mA/cm/sup 2/). Analysis of the products of lignite oxidation indicate that interesting compounds such as myristaldehyde and oleyl alcohol are formed during electrolysis.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 6024335
• Report Number(s): BNL-32964; CONF-830578-3; ON: DE83013278
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010600 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Properties & Composition
08 HYDROGEN
080101* -- Hydrogen-- Production-- Electrolysis
ANODES
BROWN COAL
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CATALYSTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
DEPOLARIZATION
ELECTROCATALYSTS
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYSIS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
LIGNITE
LYSIS
MATERIALS
OXIDATION