Sintered titanium powder plates find widespread usage as cathode and anode electrodes in water electrolysis cells employed for hydrogen production. These plates facilitate the conversion of electrical energy into chemical energy by promoting the electrolysis of water, resulting in the generation of hydrogen and oxygen.
The quantity of titanium powder sintered plates required depends on the specific application conditions and the design of the electrolysis cell. A rough estimation method can be employed as follows:
Let's consider a hydrogen production rate of 1 cubic meter per hour, under standard conditions of temperature (273.15K) and pressure (101.325kPa). The mass of hydrogen produced under these conditions is approximately 0.08988kg.
Using the molar mass of hydrogen, we can determine that 1 cubic meter of hydrogen contains 4.481 moles.
For the cathode electrode, the reduction reaction 2H2O + 2e- → H2 + 2OH- takes place. Each hydrogen molecule requires 2 electrons to participate in this reaction. Hence, to produce 1 mole of hydrogen, 2*6.02×10^23 electrons are needed, which is equivalent to 1.204×10^24 electrons.
Assuming the working voltage of the electrolysis cell is 3V and the electrolysis efficiency is 80%, the charge required per hour can be calculated as follows:
Q = 1.204×10^24 × 3 V × 3600 s/h / 0.8 = 6.96×10^29 C/h
In practical applications, several factors need consideration, such as the electrode's lifespan, electrode surface area, and the design parameters of the electrolysis cell. A typical 300W electrolysis cell, for instance, usually necessitates several square meters of titanium powder sintered plates as cathode and anode electrodes. The specific number of electrodes required varies based on the design and operating conditions of the electrolysis cell.
