Varying Electrolyte Composition in Contact Glow Discharge Electrolysis

Due to the abundance of wastewater in the world, it is highly desirable to develop a cost-effective and efficient process of converting this waste into clean reusable energy. Processes involving electrolysis, the splitting of chemical compounds into simpler components, have been conducted and have demonstrated such conversions are indeed possible.  One such process under investigation is Contact Glow Discharge Electrolysis (CGDE). CGDE is the phenomenon where an electrode immersed in an electrolyte solution raises the temperature of the electrolyte to a produce gas, through the process of joule heating. The resulting gas creates a film around the electrode, which is then excited to high levels of energy as a result of the high voltage, thus emitting a glow. CGDE also produces a large amount of steam at high voltage and low current; all while the electrolyte is at or near its boiling temperature. The process of CGDE is interesting because the level of gas produced can no longer be modeled using Faraday’s Law. Many parameters dictate the level of steam produced by CGDE, including temperature of operation, the composition of the electrolytes, voltage, and current applied. Current studies aim to understand the effect of varying the mass fraction of electrolyte in the solution and the corresponding rate of steam production during CGDE. The study is conducted utilizing sodium bicarbonate solutions. Results will aid in the effective modeling of the vapor and gas compositions produced through the use of CGDE with varying electrolytes.