Design and Development of a Portable Electrolytic Oxygen Generator, Enhancing Oxygen Supply With Electrolysis-based Generation Technology

Electrolytic Oxygen Generator

I got curious about the use of electrolytic oxygen generators from a thread discussing the O2 Grow dissolved oxygen emitters. However, there is little to no unbiased (non-shill) reviews about the product available. I'm interested in trying out this technology, but frankly the cost is far too high for me to justify that kind of spending without any proof of efficacy (aside from a few company funded studies) or analysis on the safety of byproducts that the system may produce. Additionally, I don't anticipate the cost will drop on the system anytime soon because the company has numerous patents preventing competitors from entering the market. I'm familiar enough with HHO generators to recognize that this design isn't particularly complicated from an engineering standpoint. Because of this, I thought I would share a DIY friendly design that should accomplish the same results as the O2 Grow system, while not breaking the bank. Design Principle The O2 Grow system operates by electrolysis of water. This process, in short, is the decomposition of water (H2O), by electrical current, into oxygen gas (O2) and hydrogen gas (H2). In practice, electrolysis is as simple as applying DC voltage across an anode (positive) and cathode (negative) submerged within the water 2H2O → 2H2↑(-cathode) + O2↑(+anode). The volume of gas produced by this process is 2:1 hydrogen to oxygen. Although the principal of electrolysis has been known about for over 200 years, there are some challenges when it comes to putting the principle into practice. The biggest challenge is corrosion of the electrodes. For example, steel, stainless steel, copper, and aluminum electrodes will all corrode relatively quickly. Hook up these metals to a 9v battery in a cup of water overnight; You'll come back to find some nasty stuff. Now imagine how much worse that would be in a salt-laden nutrient solution. In order to combat corrosion, proper selection of the anode and cathode materials is essential if you want to avoid regularly replacing them. The most common materials include titanium scaffolds in conjunction with mixed metal oxide (MMO) and platinum coatings. The anode is particularly susceptible to corrosion and so it is more important for it to have the MMO or platinum coating. Once corrosion is accounted for, the rest of the design is relatively simple. You properly space the anode and cathode and then apply a DC power source to them.

Obligatory Disclaimer Safety is paramount when working with electricity and water. These voltages and currents can potentially kill you. Use proper precautions.

The basic concept of an electrolytic oxygen generator is to produce oxygen gas through the process of electrolysis. Electrolysis is a chemical reaction that takes place when an electrical current is passed through a conductive material in an electrolyte solution. The electrolyte solution typically contains water and a salt, such as sodium chloride, which ionizes into positive and negative ions.

In the case of an electrolytic oxygen generator, the electrical current is used to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen gas is released into the atmosphere, while the oxygen gas is collected and stored for use.

The electrolytic oxygen generator consists of several key components, including an electrolytic cell, a power supply, and a control system. The electrolytic cell is the core of the device and contains the electrodes and the electrolyte solution. The electrodes are typically made of a conductive material, such as titanium or stainless steel, and are positioned in the electrolyte solution. The power supply provides the electrical current that drives the electrolysis process, and the control system regulates the amount of current and the duration of the process.

The electrolysis process is accomplished by applying an electrical potential difference between the two electrodes in the electrolytic cell. This causes the positive and negative ions in the electrolyte solution to migrate to the opposite electrodes, where they undergo chemical reactions that produce hydrogen and oxygen gas. The oxygen gas is collected at the cathode (the negative electrode), while the hydrogen gas is produced at the anode (the positive electrode).

In conclusion, the basic concept of an electrolytic oxygen generator is to produce oxygen gas through the process of electrolysis. It works by splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using an electrical current, and collecting the oxygen gas for use. The components of an electrolytic oxygen generator include an electrolytic cell, a power supply, and a control system, which work together to produce oxygen on demand.

An Electrolytic Oxygen Generator is a device that produces oxygen through the process of electrolysis. It works by passing an electrical current through a solution of water and electrolytes, which splits the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen gas is released into the atmosphere, while the oxygen is collected and stored for use.

The electrolytic oxygen generator consists of several key components, including an electrolytic cell, a power supply, and a control system. The electrolytic cell is the heart of the device and contains the electrodes and the electrolyte solution. The electrodes are made of a material that conducts electricity, such as titanium or stainless steel, and are positioned in the electrolyte solution. The power supply provides the electrical current that drives the electrolysis process, and the control system regulates the amount of current and the duration of the process.

Electrolytic oxygen generators are used in a variety of applications, including medical and industrial settings. In medical applications, they can be used to provide supplemental oxygen to patients, particularly in emergency situations where oxygen tanks are not readily available. In industrial settings, they can be used in a variety of processes that require oxygen, such as metal fabrication, chemical production, and wastewater treatment.

One of the advantages of using an electrolytic oxygen generator is its portability and versatility. Unlike traditional oxygen tanks, which must be filled and refilled with compressed oxygen, an electrolytic oxygen generator can produce oxygen on demand, making it an ideal solution for applications where access to oxygen is limited. Additionally, the process of electrolysis is clean and safe, and the generated oxygen is pure and free of impurities.

In conclusion, an electrolytic oxygen generator is a device that produces oxygen through the process of electrolysis. It is a portable and versatile solution for applications where access to oxygen is limited and offers the advantage of producing oxygen on demand.

Cathode: The cathode is an electrode in an electrolytic cell that is negatively charged and attracts positively charged ions (cations) during the electrolysis process. In an electrolytic oxygen generator, the cathode is typically made of a material that is resistant to corrosion, such as titanium or stainless steel, and is positioned in the electrolyte solution.

Anode: The anode is an electrode in an electrolytic cell that is positively charged and attracts negatively charged ions (anions) during the electrolysis process. In an electrolytic oxygen generator, the anode is typically made of a material that is electrically conductive and corrodes easily, such as titanium or stainless steel, and is positioned in the electrolyte solution.

Titanium: Titanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. It is a light, strong, and corrosion-resistant metal that is commonly used in the manufacture of electrodes for electrolytic cells, including those used in electrolytic oxygen generators. Titanium is highly resistant to corrosion and is an excellent conductor of electricity, making it an ideal material for use in electrolysis applications.

MMO Mesh: MMO mesh refers to a type of electrode that is coated with a layer of mixed metal oxide (MMO) material. MMO mesh electrodes are commonly used in water treatment and electrochemical applications, including electrolytic oxygen generators, due to their high durability, long lifespan, and efficient electrocatalytic activity. The MMO coating enhances the electrode's ability to produce oxygen, making it a popular choice for electrolytic oxygen generators.

In conclusion, cathode and anode are key components of an electrolytic cell that play important roles in the electrolysis process. Titanium and MMO mesh are commonly used materials for the manufacture of electrodes in electrolytic cells, due to their properties of corrosion resistance, conductivity, and electrocatalytic activity.

In the context of an electrolytic oxygen generator, the terms "cathode" and "anode" refer to the two electrodes within the electrolytic cell. The cathode is negatively charged and attracts positively charged ions, while the anode is positively charged and attracts negatively charged ions. In the process of electrolysis, the electrical current causes the water molecules in the electrolyte solution to split into hydrogen and oxygen, with hydrogen being produced at the cathode and oxygen being produced at the anode.

Titanium is a commonly used material for the electrodes in an electrolytic oxygen generator. It is a durable and corrosion-resistant metal that is well suited for use in a wet and highly oxidative environment. Additionally, titanium is a good electrical conductor and is biocompatible, making it a good choice for medical applications.

MMO (Mixed Metal Oxide) Mesh is another material that is commonly used as the cathode in an electrolytic oxygen generator. It is made by depositing a mixture of metal oxides onto a titanium mesh, creating a durable and conductive surface that is resistant to corrosion and degradation. MMO mesh is an excellent choice for use as the cathode in an electrolytic oxygen generator because of its ability to catalyze the production of hydrogen and its long-lasting performance.

In conclusion, cathode and anode are the two electrodes in the electrolytic cell of an electrolytic oxygen generator, with the cathode producing hydrogen and the anode producing oxygen. Titanium and MMO mesh are two commonly used materials for the electrodes, with titanium being a durable and corrosion-resistant metal, and MMO mesh being a conductive surface made from a mixture of metal oxides.

Design Parts

1. MMO Titanium Mesh Anode

2. Titanium Mesh Cathode

3. Mean Well LPC-60-1400 (may be overkill)

4. Spacer for anode/cathode and various parts for enclosure

I made some crude spacers by wrapping electrical tape between the anode and cathode to get a gap of about 1.5mm.

I then hooked the MMO coated titanium anode to the positive of my benchtop DC power supply and hooked the plain titanium cathode up to the negative side and placed all of it in a dish of regular tap water.

I then experimented with a few different drive currents. I found that at a current of 1.0 Amp the system required 25V.

At 1 Amp the HHO generation rate is extremely high. In fact, it completely saturated a half gallon of water within about 30 seconds.

The aim of the project is to produce a low-cost DIY version of an electrolytic oxygen generator, capable of saturating 20-50 gallons of water with dissolved oxygen within a few hours. Although, the individual conducting this project does not have access to a dissolved oxygen meter, they plan to estimate the oxygen saturation by aiming for a drive current of 0.5-0.7A. For this purpose, they suggest using the Mean Well LPC-35-1050 or LPC-35-700 as a better choice of driver.

The setup will consist of the anodes and cathodes, alligator clips, a DC power source, and electrical tape. The individual working on this project intends to refine the design and make it more polished and less janky, but as it stands, the components mentioned above should be sufficient to build a functional electrolytic oxygen generator.

The individual invites feedback and suggestions from others to improve the design and functionality of the electrolytic oxygen generator.