THE EFFECT OF PROCESS PARAMETERS ON HYDROGEN PRODUCTION BY PULSE CURRENT ELECTROLYSIS METHOD USING AISI 304 STAINLESS STEEL ELECTRODE IN ALKALINE SOLUTION

• Main Author: Al Fath Rahmat, Muhammad
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/85501
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The reliance on fossil fuels has significantly contributed to global warming. The current Net Zero Emission project underscores the urgent need for countries to transition to cleaner energy sources. Hydrogen, as a clean energy alternative, represents a crucial step towards reducing dependence on fossil fuels. While water electrolysis is a well-developed technology for hydrogen production, it faces challenges such as high electricity consumption and the high cost of platinum electrodes. Pulse electrolysis enhances the formation of an efficient electrical double layer (EDL), which allows for the gradual storage and release of electrical energy, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the electrolysis process. This research aims to address these issues by investigating the use of pulse current electrolysis in an alkaline electrolyte for hydrogen gas production. A series of experiment involving pulse current electrolysis in an alkaline electrolyte has been conducted to investigate the influence of parameters on the production of hydrogen gas using a AISI 304 electrode. A mode comparison was carried out, with duty cycle 100% representing direct current (DC) mode. The yield of hydrogen gas was measured at NaOH concentrations of 0.75 M, 1.25 M, and 1.75 M, under constant current and voltage, with variations in frequency 500, 1000, 1500 Hz and pulse at duty cycle 25%, 50%, and 100%. Each hydrogen gas production process was carried out for 30 minutes. The composition of the produced hydrogen gas was analyzed using Gas Chromatography (GC). The data obtained used to evaluate the interactions between parameters and examined to study which parameters significantly influenced hydrogen gas production using ANOVA analysis. The performance of the process was evaluated based on the amount of hydrogen gas produced. The optimum condition for hydrogen gas production was achieved with parameters of 1.75 M NaOH concentration, 1500 Hz frequency, and duty cycle 100%. ANOVA results indicated NaOH concentration and duty cycle had a statistically significant impact on hydrogen gas production. The variable with the highest contribution was duty cycle, accounting for 54.26% of the overall effect. The results of the GC analysis revealed that the hydrogen composition reaches its maximum at 97.48% when operating at a 50% duty cycle. The volume of hydrogen gas was found to increase with increasing electrolyte concentration within the range of NaOH 0.75 – 1.75 M. The parameter of frequency did not exert a statistically significant influence on the amount of hydrogen gas produced. The use of pulse mode provides better energy efficiency compared to DC mode.