Another big question

[Bob]

Uh ?
...
Bob

[Manta]

Here is another thought.
Take two plates facing each outer. Each fed with power via a terminal in one top corner.  OK.

Now imagine each plate as a resistor,  which it is.  Furthermore,  regard each plate as a lot of smaller resistors placed against each other.

As the current moves across the plates it encounters more resistance the further it gets from the terminals.

So there is a voltage drop across the plate from top to bottom. (still with me )

Now,   we all know that electric takes the easiest rout. So the current flowing across between the plates will be more at the top than it will at the bottom.  So as you move down the plate you get less gas produced.

Why not feed current into both top and bottom of each plate instead of just the top. ?
I know it means a bit more metalwork,  but it should increase the gas output per given plate.

Just a thought.

Manta

[Bob]

thats an interesting thought Manta...
I have a feeling however that the amps would fill the plate like an empty vessel and the amps be the same at the top as at the bottom... not gradually decreaseing as it gets further from the entry point.
 sense electricity moves at the speed of light the entire plate would
be filled, would it not?
...
it perhaps there was not enough amprage to fill the plate, and the amps are used up before the bottom is reached.... then you might have a diferiential between top and bottom
but that would be a very small amount of amprage...(even IF it worked that way)
...
a conductor...the plate will have the same amount of volts on it every where... and same amount of amps...
...
yes technically your correct that the plate is one big resister but the voltage don't realy care sense the resistance is so low it just fills it up like a container.
...
thats my thoughts !
...
Bob.......

[Cowboy]

Manta is correct in his thoughts, however, plate thickness plays a part in that.  There will be a more noticable difference, top-bottom, in 24 guage plates than there would be in 1/16" plate steel.  That goes back to the same theory as wire size.  Electricity will always take the path of least resistance, but using thicker plates will negate that fact and there should be an equal amount of production throughout.  It will not require more current using bigger plates, because of the least resistance thing.  The problem I theorize is that a certain surface area can only produce so much until a threshold is met.  The larger surface area has the potential for more production, which will allow you to run more current, but more current is not required simply because you're using bigger plates.  It's like getting a 4x4 truck.  You won't always use 4x4, but the option is there when you need it.   

[Manta]

Cowboy,

My thoughts exactly. This brings me to something I have often wondered about.  Why do people make terro cells when they lose so much surface area due to the gaskets ?

It seems that a wet cell using the same size plates will produce more gas for the same amps.
Manta

[Cowboy]

If you use the right gasket material, you don't lose that much surface area.  Or, build a bigger box.  I'm still not sure if a wet or dry cell is the better option, but I do know a wire woud cell is not.

[randy]

from my experiments I've also found close spacing gets more output also.

[Bob]

You hit on a good point Cowboy...
 that Threshold you mentioned....
So far it looks like to me in my experiments...not going by anything else, that there is no "threshold" and that points to the possability of a 1"square plate, 2 plate cell could theroetically produce 100LPM if enough amps were given it....
 could this possably be true ? are we actually goofing up by useing mutable plates when only 2 are needed ?
... No doubt it would be EASIER to make 100LPM with more plates and it would probly be more efficient too... no doubt... but is it absoultly nessarry  to achieve high output ? or is it a matter of amps?
...
from what I understand the shape and type of cell takes more and more of a back seat to the power required to accomplish the task...
I used to think the cell itself was the key but it looks as though thats not the case... the Power is the key !
... so far a cell produceing 1LPM on 10amps is about as good as it gets.... I don't think anyone has done better than that yet... so that is about as efficient as its going to get...(for now)
so takeing that effeciency and applying higher amprage to it is probly as good as its going to get.  10LPM 100amps.... 20LPM 200amps... that sort of thing.
I don't know if you can get 10LPM from 2- 1"sqr plates...at any amprage ! but it looks as if  all it takes is the POWER... Plate Area just makes it more Efficient in doing it !
...
my 2 coppers.

[hydrotinkerer]

I heard another guy say that anything over a 8x8" cell needed multiple connections for current. I'll get my cell up and running and do a voltage drop test across the 10" span and see what happens.

[scratch1676]

I read yesterday some guys trying out graphite for plates they are claiming it wont produce heat and its a better conductor than stainless.  What do you think about it.

[Bob]

it won't hold up in a wet inviroment very well...especially one with KOH in it
graphite is far to soft and would probly crumble into dust in a few months ....
thats my guess anyway ! but a few people have made them... they HAVE to get hot though
or the water will.... that much wattage going will make heat ...period if the plates don't get hot the water will... thats my guess anyway !
...
Bob............

[hg2]

I read yesterday some guys trying out graphite for plates they are claiming it wont produce heat and its a better conductor than stainless.  What do you think about it.

  Graphite is better but has some draw backs.Graphite is very brittle for starters,drilling vibration and pressure from thru bolts even using nylon allthread can cause it to break.Graphite they say will perform very well and a cell built with it an excellent producer.

  Should anyone want to try and build the exotic here's a link where you can get it,But hold on to your wallet it aint cheap.The type used for cells is EDM graphite.


   http://www.graphitestore.com/stores.asp/cat_id/9

[hydrotinkerer]

All the graphite cells I have seen turned the electrolite black and the electrodes didn't last long. They did produce good though. Would the graphite particles floating in the electrolite enhance electrolysis?