Brown’s Gas Electrolyzers

We get asked a lot about what kind of electrolyzer machine can be used to make Brown’s Gas.

An electrolyzer is the name of a unit that facilitates the decomposition of water into its constituent elements of hydrogen and oxygen.

It is a well-known fact that the chemical formula for water is H2O representing two units of hydrogen and one unit of oxygen.  This is called a stoichiometric mixture when there are two precise proportions of elements comprising something.

As Brown’s Gas is made from pure water it can only be comprised of the stoichiometric mixture of hydrogen and oxygen in the exact ratio of two parts hydrogen to one part oxygen.

Since the introduction of Brown’s Gas technology into China in 1991 we have seen the development of the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolyzer which does not use a toxic electrolyte to electrolyze water.  The PEM electrolyzer uses metals as solid electrolytes to help disassociate the hydrogen molecules from the oxygen molecules.

The question we entertain regularly is whether Brown’s Gas produced by a PEM electrolyzer without using the toxic electrolyte is really Brown’s Gas.  There is also inference made that the toxic electrolyte used to generate Brown’s Gas in some way contributes to the characteristics of Brown’s Gas in the electrolysis process.

The fact of the matter is that “Brown’s Gas is a stoichiometric mixture of hydrogen and oxygen generated in the ratio of two parts hydrogen to one part oxygen generated from the decomposition of water into its natural elements using the process of electrolysis”.  That’s the definition.

Another way of saying this is that when the products of electrolysis (hydrogen and oxygen) are intermingled immediately consequent to electrolysis, regardless of the type of electrolyzer used (Alkaline or PEM) that the resulting gas is Brown’s Gas.

Based on the definition of Brown’s gas given (intermingled hydrogen and oxygen), when we hear someone speculating that some other component exists in Brown’s Gas that is other than hydrogen or oxygen we ignore it.

Claims that there is some X Factor in Brown’s Gas other than pure hydrogen and oxygen is a corruption of Brown’s Gas technology.

There is no plurality of gases generated from the electrolysis of water.  There is only Brown’s Gas an intermingled hydrogen and oxygen compound.

Conclusion:

Brown’s Gas can be produced in any type of electrolyzer, so long as the resultant gases generated from the electrolysis of water (namely hydrogen and oxygen) are intermingled as part of the process prior to use.

A cautionary note on using an alkaline electrolyzer for human use of the gases.

In an alkaline electrolyzer, the water is alkalized with potassium hydroxide (KOH) which is also known as caustic soda or lye to produce hydroxide ions instead of protons. The hydroxide ions then migrate through the electrolyte to the anode, which reacts with water to form oxygen gas and more hydroxide ions. At the cathode, hydrogen gas is produced by the reaction of hydroxide ions and electrons.

Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is a strong base that is widely used in various industrial and laboratory applications. While it is generally considered safe when handled and used properly, it can be toxic in certain circumstances.

Ingestion or inhalation of potassium hydroxide can cause severe damage to the mouth, throat, lungs, and digestive system. Symptoms of acute toxicity can include throat pain, difficulty breathing, chest pain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and bloody stools. In severe cases, potassium hydroxide ingestion can lead to shock, cardiac arrest, and even death.

Contact with potassium hydroxide can also cause chemical burns and skin irritation. Exposure to concentrated solutions of potassium hydroxide can result in deep tissue damage, while exposure to dilute solutions can cause skin irritation and redness. Eye contact with potassium hydroxide can lead to severe eye irritation, including corneal damage and blindness.

It is important to handle potassium hydroxide carefully and follow appropriate safety measures when working with this chemical. This includes wearing protective clothing, gloves, and eye protection, as well as ensuring adequate ventilation in the work area. If exposure to potassium hydroxide occurs, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

In summary, while potassium hydroxide is a useful and versatile chemical, it is important to be aware of its potential hazards and to take appropriate precautions when working with it to minimize the risk of toxicity.

Our company sells both alkaline and PEM electrolyzers.  Due to the presence of a toxic electrolyte in the alkaline electrolyzer we do not advocate using it for human inhalation purposes.  Only the PEM style of Brown’s Gas electrolyzer is suitable for human use.

Buy a Brown’s Gas PEM Elelectrolyzer here.