A hydrogen generator is a device used to generate hydrogen gas (H2), and its working principle is based on the reaction of electrolytic water. The following is the working principle and function of the hydrogen generator:

Working principle:

The working principle of a hydrogen generator mainly involves water electrolysis reaction. Usually, water (H2O) is composed of hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2), while the process of electrolysis of water decomposes it into hydrogen and oxygen. The specific reaction equation is as follows:

2H2O (liquid) ->2H2 (gas)+O2 (gas)

In a hydrogen generator, an electrolytic cell is generally used, which includes two electrodes: an anode and a cathode. These two electrodes are immersed in an electrolyte solution, usually an alkaline (such as sodium hydroxide) or acidic (such as sulfuric acid) solution.

When an external power source (usually a DC power source) is connected to the electrodes of the electrolytic cell, the following two reactions occur:

On the cathode, water molecules (H2O) receive electrons and are reduced to hydrogen gas (H2):

2H2O (liquid)+2 electrons ->H2 (gas)+2 hydroxide ions (2OH -)

On the anode, water molecules lose electrons and oxygen (O2) is released:

2H2O (liquid) ->O2 (gas)+4 hydrogen ions (4H+)+4 electrons

These reactions decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen, which are discharged from the gas outlet in the electrolysis cell, while oxygen is discharged from the gas outlet in the electrolysis cell.

Function:

The main function of a hydrogen generator is to generate high-purity hydrogen gas. It has a wide range of applications in various laboratories and industrial applications, including but not limited to:

Laboratory applications: Used for chemical experiments in the laboratory, sample preparation, and as a reducing agent in the reaction chamber.

Industrial applications: Used in industrial processes such as metal welding, semiconductor manufacturing, chemical production, etc. Hydrogen is also used as fuel for fuel cells and hydrogen vehicles.

Energy storage: Hydrogen is considered one of the storage forms of renewable energy, and hydrogen generators are used to convert electrical energy into hydrogen to generate electricity when needed.

Laboratory and research: In the laboratory and research field, hydrogen can be used to study the chemical properties of hydrogen, hydrogen energy technology, and related fields of research.