Electrolysis

Electrolysis is the process of separating a chemical compound by passing an electrical current through it, either molten or in solution.

By applying a voltage across two electrodes immersed in the liquid, an electric field is set up, causing separation of ions in order to maintain electrical equilibrium. For instance, water can be separated into hydrogen from oxygen, with the negatively charged hydroxide ions OH^- drawn to the positive electrode and the positively charged hydronium ions H₃O⁺ drawn to the negative electrode. When arriving at the electrodes the ions are discharged and become gaseous oxygen and hydrogen respectively. The net effect of of the migration of ions is identical to the flow of an electric current through the liquid.

Electrolysis is a common industrial process, used in the production of:

• Aluminum
• Lithium
• Sodium
• Chlorine
• Hydrogen and Oxygen

There are a number of other industrial processes which are based on the same principles.

Technological usage

Water electrolysis

Water is available in large quantities on Mars. Electrolysis can be used to produce oxygen as part of the atmosphere required for an artificial habitat. The hydrogen produced can be used for hydrocarbon synthesis, yielding synthetic materials for space suits etc. However, the main use for the electrolysis of water is likely to be propellant production.

Electrolytic cells for hydrogen production have an efficiency of about 70-80%. They may eventually reach 96%.

External Links

• Wikipedia article on electrolysis