Hydrogen fuel generator device. How to make a hydrogen generator for your home with your own hands: practical advice on manufacturing and installation. DIY hydrogen engine

Selection of electrodes

If the second requirement is not met, a chemical reaction will take place with the participation of the electrodes connected to the cathode pole, as a result of which the solution will become saturated with foreign substances.

This is why copper, one of the best conductors, cannot be used in an aqueous solution. It is recommended to use it instead stainless steel. Optimal thickness for electrode plates made of this material – 2 mm.

Container

Taking into account the risk of explosion, the generator housing should be made of durable and plastic material that is resistant to high temperatures. Steel best meets these requirements. It is only necessary to completely exclude contact of wires or electrodes with the housing, which will result in a short circuit.

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DIY hydrogen generator for a car (drawings)

Enriching the fuel-air mixture with hydrogen helps reduce fuel consumption. According to some car enthusiasts, fuel savings can be up to 30%.

The basis for an automobile hydrogen generator is the device that was described in the previous section. The difference is the absence of a water seal (the resulting hydrogen is immediately sent to the intake manifold) and the presence of a control unit. The latter will regulate the current between the electrodes depending on the engine speed.

Self-manufacturing of such a unit is only possible for those who are fluent in radio electronics, so we recommend using a purchased option. Moreover, the factory-made units take on all the work of regulating the performance of the hydrogen generator, without requiring user participation.

System elements for a car generator

All you need is to manually select the current value (optimal) for the modes “ idling" and "maximum load", and then the control unit itself will vary the performance of the installation within the specified limits.

It is necessary to seal all connections very carefully: hydrogen leakage can lead to a fire.

It is best to check the tightness of the structure with soap foam: leaks, if any, will manifest themselves as constantly appearing and growing bubbles.

The body of a car hydrogen generator can be made from a water filter, which is quite durable. Its volume is small and so that the installation does not have to be refilled too often, it can be additionally equipped with a tank for storing a supply of solution. It is connected to the working container by two tubes.

Video on the topic

Science knows of only one absolutely pure fuel - hydrogen, which is used in the space industry. During the combustion of hydrogen, compounds with oxygen are formed, that is, water. The reserves of this fuel are inexhaustible, since it, along with helium, is the main “building material” in the Universe.

Today we will talk about hydrogen generators that gain Lately increasingly popular due to its affordable cost and environmental friendliness.

Distinctive features of hydrogen heating

This type of heating is based on the production of huge amounts of thermal energy as a result of the contact of oxygen and hydrogen molecules. Typically, the only byproduct in this case is distilled water. And in order to put this principle into practice, many developments have been carried out to create a hydrogen heating boiler (we are talking about industrial models).

Such devices differed in size and, therefore, required a lot of space for installation. And the efficiency of such boilers was not the highest - about 80 percent. But since then the device has been improved many times and as a result we have received a boiler for home heating, working on this principle. For its normal operation, only a few important conditions must be met.

• Availability of constant power supply. The generators are based on the electrolysis reaction, which, as we know, is impossible without electricity.
• Permanent connection to a water source. Often, water supply is used for this, although the specific consumption of the device depends, of course, on its power.
• The catalyst needs to be replaced regularly. The frequency of this replacement depends, like the previous indicator, on the power, as well as on the features of a particular model.

And if we compare hydrogen equipment, for example, with gas equipment, then it is less demanding in terms of safety. But the whole point is that reactions are formed and occur exclusively inside the generator. From a person, as a user, all that is needed is visual control over the main indicators.

Hydrogen generator device

Now let’s take a closer look at the hydrogen option for heating a house. And its essence, as already noted, is to produce H2O; this option deserves to be considered an alternative to natural gas. Typically, the average combustion temperature in this case can reach 3 thousand degrees, so you will need to use a special hydrogen burner in the heating system. This is explained by the fact that only such a burner can withstand such significant heat.

There are several components that make up hydrogen heating, let’s get acquainted with them.

• The burner mentioned above. It is necessary for one simple purpose - to create an open flame.
• Hydrogen generator - it will process the mixture by decomposing water into molecular components. And in order to optimize a chemical reaction, catalysts can be used in its process.
• Actually, a boiler. Here it serves as a kind of heat exchanger. The burner itself is installed in the combustion chamber, due to which the coolant in the system warms up to the required temperature.

Note! We remind those who plan to manufacture hydrogen generators that to do this they will have to improve existing equipment according to the scheme indicated earlier. But this homemade equipment more economical than its “store-bought analogues” purchased for a lot of money.

Strengths of hydrogen heating

The positive qualities of heating with hydrogen are numerous. This is precisely why the system is so popular.

• The excellent efficiency with which it is characterized can reach 96 percent.
• Environmental friendliness. This is explained by the fact that the only by-product, waste, so to speak, is pure water produced in gaseous state. And water vapor, as is known, does not have negative influence on the environment.
• No flame is required to function in a hydrogen system. Thermal energy appears due to catalytic chemical reactions. Combining with air, hydrogen forms water, which is accompanied by the appearance large quantity energy. The heat flow (and its temperature reaches 40 degrees) is supplied to the heat exchanger. It is quite obvious that this is the most best option for a "warm floor" system.

Weak sides

Having familiarized ourselves with the advantages, we proceed to the disadvantages of hydrogen heating.

• Despite the fact that in more advanced countries this heating method is extremely popular, in our country it has not yet received the necessary attention. That is why the acquisition and installation of this equipment is so problematic and associated with a number of difficulties.
• Average room temperature causes hydrogen to acquire a gaseous state. Moreover, this substance is explosive, and therefore it is very difficult to transport it, especially over long distances.
• Cylinders containing hydrogen must be certified by appropriate specialists, whose training requires quite a lot of time.

How to install a hydrogen boiler?

On this moment Many people prefer to produce their own hydrogen generators for their heating systems. And this is not surprising, because “store-bought” analogues are not only very expensive, but also do not have very high efficiency. But if you make this device yourself, then its efficiency will be much higher.

There are several options for how to assemble a hydrogen-powered generator. But in any case, to make it at home you will need the following: Consumables.

• 12 volt power source.
• Several tubes made of stainless steel and having different diameters.
• The reservoir in which the structure will be located.
• PWM controller. It is important that its power is at least 30 amperes.

These are the main components that usually make up homemade hydrogen generators. In addition, do not forget about a tank for distilled water - its presence is also mandatory. Water must be supplied to a sealed structure with a dialectic inside. In the same structure there will be a set made of stainless steel plates adjacent to one another by insulating material. It is important that 12-volt voltage is supplied to these plates. If everything is done correctly, then when voltage is applied, the water will split into 2 gaseous elements.

Note! More effective in this regard is to use direct current(it must have a specific frequency) produced by a PWM type generator. In this case, the pulsed current (or alternating current) will be replaced by a constant one. As a result, the efficiency of the equipment will increase significantly.

What water should I use – distilled or tap water?

There is nothing complicated here. Tap liquid can be used, but only if it does not contain heavy metal impurities. But in order for the equipment to work more efficiently, it is better to use distilled water, adding a small amount of sodium hydroxide to it. The ratio in this case should be as follows: a tablespoon of hydroxide for every ten liters of water.

What kind of metal should I use?

This issue is controversial. Thus, many - including very authoritative - sources say that only rare metals must be used for hydrogen heating. In reality, this is not entirely true, since it is quite possible to use stainless steel, as we have already discussed above. Although ideally it should be ferrimagnetic steel. It differs in that it does not attract particles of unnecessary debris. We also note that when choosing a metal, it is better to focus on “stainless steel”, which is not subject to the oxidation process.

As you can see, building a hydrogen boiler is not as difficult as it seems. You just need to choose the right consumables and carefully study the diagram heating system of such a type. Having installed everything necessary equipment, check to make sure that it is really of high quality and quite effective.

Video - Making a hydrogen generator

About the law of conservation of energy

This law states that everything in the world is interconnected: if it leaves somewhere, it will definitely arrive somewhere. And so that through electrolysis it is possible to obtain gas, a certain amount electrical energy you will still have to spend it. And energy, as we know, is obtained primarily as a result of the creation of heat during the combustion of other types of fuel. And even if we take the clean energy necessary to generate electricity, and that which hydrogen produces after combustion, the losses will be doubled (at least!) even in reality modern equipment. It turns out that 1/2 of the funds are simply thrown away. Moreover, these are only costs associated with operation, and the cost of equipment, which, as noted, is not cheap, is not taken into account. Let's remember hydrogen generators.

If you believe research conducted in America, the price of one kilogram of hydrogen (or rather, the cost of creating it) is equal to:

• 6.5 dollars when using an industrial electrical network;
• $9 when operating wind generators;
• 20 dollars in case of using solar devices;
• 2.2 dollars when using solid fuel;
• 5.5 dollars if the substance is produced from biomass;
• 2.3 dollars, if we are talking about electrolysis at high temperature carried out at a nuclear power plant (the most cheap way, but the farthest from normal household use).

Note! Even the most advanced household generator will be significantly inferior in all respects to a similar industrial device. Therefore, in view of the prices described, it is impossible to say that hydrogen can seriously compete with natural gas. The same applies to electricity, diesel and even heat pumps.

Energy prospects using hydrogen

Now let’s try to find out whether there really is a chance to reduce the cost of pure hydrogen. Let’s immediately say that there is every chance for this. First of all, this includes the technology for producing inexpensive electricity using renewable sources. In addition, cheaper chemical catalysts can be used in the catalysis process. By the way, these have existed for a long time and are used in hydrogen cells for fuel (we are talking about cars). Although here, again, we came across their too high cost.

But technology is improving all the time, science does not stand still. At some point, oil will run out, and people will have to switch to some other, alternative energy source. But at the moment, and, perhaps, for the coming decades, we can say with confidence: energy using hydrogen itself is still unprofitable. The only exceptions include those cases where hydrogen is a by-product of some other technical process. Of course, various programs to support and develop hydrogen energy are possible, but this requires the help of large corporations and, of course, the state.

As a conclusion

It is difficult to say what kind of energy will become the main one in the future - hydrogen, nuclear fusion, the use of gravity, etc. But experts assure that the first electrolysis reactors capable of competing with modern nuclear reactors will appear in at least twenty to thirty years. Some are generally skeptical about this. But real professionals believe that hydrogen generators will soon become a subject high technology, and not homemade from improvised means, which we described above. That's all, have a warm winter!

For heating a private house they use different ways. They differ from each other both in the method of heat transfer and in the type of energy carrier used. When using water heating, there are several types of boilers depending on the type of fuel:

Hydrogen generator for heating a private home

1. Solid fuel - used for work solid fuel, which releases heat when burned.
2. Electric - in such boilers, heat is obtained by converting electricity.
3. Gas - heat is released when gas burns.

If we consider gas boilers, then they mainly run on natural gas, although there are models for liquefied gas, and recently they are beginning to use hydrogen produced from water in special devices– hydrogen generators.

Principle of operation

From the school physics course we know that water, when exposed to electric current, decomposes into two components: hydrogen and oxygen. Based on this phenomenon, a so-called hydrogen generator was built. This device is a unit in which an electrochemical reaction occurs to produce hydrogen and oxygen from water. The process of electrolysis of water is shown in the figure below.

At the output of the generator, not pure hydrogen and oxygen are formed, but the so-called Brown gas, named after the scientist who first obtained it. It is also called “explosive gas” because it is explosive under certain conditions. Moreover, when burning this gas, one can obtain almost four times more energy than was expended on its production.

Such a hydrogen production plant is shown in the figure below.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of this type of heating include the following:

1. This is an environmentally friendly type of heating, since the combustion of hydrogen in an oxygen environment produces water in the form of steam, and there are no more emissions. harmful substances in atmosphere.
2. You can connect the generator to existing system water heating of a private house.
3. The installation operates silently, so it does not require any special room.

Flaws:

1. Hydrogen has a high combustion temperature, which in an oxygen environment can reach 3200°C, so a regular boiler can fail very quickly. IN modern devices Scientists have achieved the result of gas combustion at a temperature of 300°C, so the problem can be considered practically solved.
2. You need to be very careful when working with Brown's gas as it is explosive. This can be solved by using various safety valves and automation.
3. Requires the use of distilled water or water with alkali for operation.
4. High cost of equipment. To solve this problem, many are trying to assemble a hydrogen production plant with their own hands.

DIY hydrogen generator

The homemade device schematically represents a container of water in which electrodes are placed to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen.

To make it with your own hands similar device, you will need:

1. Sheet of stainless metal 0.5-0.7 mm thick. Stainless steel grade 12Х18Н10Т is suitable.
2. Plexiglas plates.
3. Rubber tubes for supplying water and removing gases.
4. Sheet petrol and oil resistant rubber 3 mm thick.
5. Voltage source – LATR with a diode bridge to produce direct current. It should provide a current of 5-8 amperes.

First, stainless steel plates are cut into 200x200mm rectangles. The corners on the plates need to be cut off in order to then tighten the entire structure with bolts. In each plate we drill a hole with a diameter of 5 mm, at a distance of 3 cm from the bottom of the plates, for water circulation. A wire is also soldered to each plate to connect to the power source.

Before assembly, rubber rings are made with an outer diameter of 200mm and an inner diameter of 190mm. You also need to prepare two plexiglass plates 2cm thick and 200x200mm in size, and you must first make holes in them on four sides for M8 tightening bolts.

The assembly begins like this: first put the first plate, then a rubber ring coated with sealant on both sides, then the next plate and so on until the last plate. After this, it is necessary to tighten the entire structure on both sides using M8 studs and plexiglass plates. Holes are drilled in the plates: in one at the bottom for the supply of liquid, in the other at the top for gas removal. A fitting is inserted there. Medical PVC tubes are placed on these fittings. The end result should be a design like the one in the figure below.

In order to prevent gas from getting back into the gas generator, it is necessary to make a water seal on the way from the generator to the burner, or even better, two seals.

The design of the shutter is a container of water, into which, on the generator side, the tube is lowered into the water, and the tube that goes to the burner is above the water level. The diagram of a hydrogen generator with gates is shown in the figure below.

In an electrolyzer - a sealed container of water with lowered electrodes, gas begins to be released when voltage is applied. Through tube 1 it is supplied to valve 1. The design of the water seal is designed in such a way, as can be seen from the figure, that gas can only move in the direction from the electrolyzer to the burner, and not vice versa. This is hampered by the different densities of water, which must be overcome on the way back. Next, through tube 2, the gas moves to valve 2, which is designed for greater system reliability: if suddenly for some reason the first valve does not work. After this, the gas is supplied to the burner using tube 3. Water seals are a very important part of the device, since they prevent the gas from moving in the opposite direction.

If gas gets back into the electrolyzer, the device may explode. Therefore, under no circumstances should the device be operated without water seals!

Exploitation

After assembly, you can begin testing the device. To do this, install a burner from a medical needle at the end of the tube and begin to pour water. You need to add KOH or NaOH to the water. The water must be distilled or melted extreme case. A 10% concentration of alkaline solution is sufficient for the device to operate. There should be no leaks when pouring water. It is best to blow the structure with air, pressure up to 1 atm, before pouring. If the hydrogen generator can withstand this pressure, then you can fill it with water; if not, you need to fix the leaks.

After this, a LATR with a diode bridge is connected to the electrodes according to the circuit. An ammeter and a voltmeter are installed in the circuit to monitor operation. Start with minimal voltage and then constantly increase it, observing gas evolution.

It is better to carry out preliminary work on outdoors outside the house. Since the installation is explosive, all work should be carried out with extreme caution.

During testing, observe the operation of the device. If there is a small burner flame, then there may be either low gas emission in the generator, or there may be a gas leak somewhere. If the solution becomes cloudy or dirty, it needs to be replaced. It is also necessary to ensure that the device does not overheat and the water does not boil. To do this, regulate the voltage at the current source. And one more thing - when heated, the plates become slightly deformed and can stick to one another. To eliminate this, you need to make rubber gaskets. Water spitting may also occur - to eliminate this, you need to reduce the water level.

Generator in the heating system

After the tests have been carried out, you can connect the installation to the gas boiler at home. To do this, the boiler needs to be slightly altered, namely, with your own hands, you need to make a jet with a hole of a smaller diameter than the factory one, designed for natural gas. The assembled generator is shown in the figure below.

The heating system of a private home must be filled with water. The burner flame can melt the boiler if there is no water in it.

After this, they regulate the water supply to the device and begin to remove blockages in the heating system of the house. Then, by adjusting the water supply and supply voltage, the operation of the boiler is adjusted.

When operating the unit for heating season conduct a final test, during which several issues are resolved:

1. Is there enough gas to heat the house? If it is not enough, then you can make an installation of greater productivity with your own hands.
2. How well does a hydrogen boiler work, that is, how long will the boiler last?
3. The cost of such heating - for this you can keep a journal in which you keep calculations of heating costs and the temperature in the house and outside while the boiler is operating. Based on these data, we can then conclude how profitable it is to heat a house with hydrogen.

Based on these data, you can prepare more thoroughly for the next heating season. During operation, you can see what needs improvement, maybe some part of the device needs to be redone. Perhaps the boiler itself needs reworking and modernization so that it does not quickly fail. Also, if you plan to use the device in the future, maybe it makes sense to purchase a water distiller?

Video about the generator

You can learn how to make a hydrogen generator with your own hands without electricity from this video.

The main question that interests many is how expensive or cheap is such heating? This can be found out if you keep statistics during the heating season. Moreover, it is necessary to add up all costs, such as the cost of distilled water, the cost of alkali, the cost of electricity, boiler repairs and installation manufacturing. Based on this, you can decide whether this type of heating is suitable for your home or not.

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