Generation of Solar Hydrogen Gas Energy from Water Splitting Process as an Alternative to Fossil Fuel
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Date
2021-12-25
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Adeleke University Journal of Engineering and Technology
Abstract
Hydrogen is a promising fuel, can be obtained from different sources of raw materials,
including water. Water is a renewable, abundant and sustainable source, which can
produce high hydrogen purity via electrolysis. The aim of this study is to produce clean
hydrogen energy gas and breathable oxygen gas from water splitting process as an
alternative to fossil fuels in a newly developed photo-electrochemical electrolyzer. The
photo-electrochemical electrolyzer is of dimension 24 cm by 42 cm by 28 cm, designed
and fabricated with 10-plate stainless-steel electrode. The electrolyzer was connected
upwardly to gas storage container, dc compressor and a gas cylinder. The designed
electrolyzer was further connected to a 12 V 9 Ah battery and two-100W solar panels.
A mixture of 8 L of water and 160 g of NaOH was charged into the electrolyzer after
which electrolysis process commenced. The process was left for 5 days. Within these time,
hydrogen and oxygen gases were produced simultaneously and collected by upward
method. The produced gases were compressed by high pressured gas cylinders
respectively. Voltage and current supplied by solar panels to the electrolyzer were
monitored. The maximum and minimum voltage and current reading ranged from 2.11 –
13.57 V and 1.05 -7.53 A respectively.
This study revealed that high voltage and near constant amperage readings will produce
more hydrogen gas than low voltage readings. The weight of hydrogen produced after 5
days of observations was 1.84 kg. This study established that hydrogen can be produced
abundantly through the new fabricated photo-electrolyzer and replace fossil fuels to
create a clean and green global environment.
Description
With the continuous worldwide increase in population and standards of living, meeting the ever-increasing global energy demand in
an affordable, clean, reliable, and sustainable manner has become one of the most challenging tasks of the twenty-first century (Acar
and Dincer, 2017). Due to the repercussion of fossil fuels’ restricted supply and extraction around the world (leading to an increase in
price), fossil fuels cannot to keep pace with the growing energy needs. In conjunction with financial matters, greenhouse gas
discharges as a consequence of fossil fuel consumption, and their influence on climate change, have been causing significant worries
to global community (Acar and Dincer, 2017).).
Keywords
Citation
Muhibbu-din, E.I., Okoroji Victor Ebube, Bassey Dorcas Asuquo, Adepoju Muheez, & Sanni Mubarak. (2021): Generation of Solar Hydrogen Gas Energy from Water Splitting Process as an Alternative to Fossil Fuel. Adeleke University Journal of Engineering and Technology. 4(2); 13- 19,