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How to Generate Pure Oxygen and Hydrogen at Home

Last Updated on by 55 Comments

The article discusses a simple method through which large amounts of oxygen and hydrogen could be generated at home using an ordinary electrical set up

Importance of Oxygen and Hydrogen

We all know the potentials of these two gases and how important they are on this planet.

Oxygen is the life sustaining gas without which no living creature on this planet can live.

Hydrogen on other hand has its own merits and can be considered as the future fuel which would ultimately power our vehicles and cook our foods once all the naturally available fossil resources goes out of stock and gets depleted.

What is Electrolysis of Water

In school days we all have learned and witnessed the process called the electrolysis of water, where water which is made up of two main constituents H2O (two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen) is broken down forcibly with the help of electric current.

However in this process, normally a pinch of salt is added or sometime a drop of sulfuric acid is added for enhancing the electrolysis process.

This results in speedy electrolysis process, and we are able to see large and thick amounts of gas bubbles come out across the two electrodes which are connected to a potential difference source or simply to a battery.



However there's an misconception that the above process generates oxygen and hydrogen with ease, in fact that may not be the case and if we carefully assess the process you will find it's not the water but the added chemical which is getting broken in the influence of the electric current.

That means if we add salt to water, the electrolysis process will generate the gas chlorine and sodium deposits over the two electrodes and not oxygen or hydrogen.....you can expect the generation of H and O, but in very negligible volumes.

For generating pure oxygen and hydrogen through the process of breaking down water components we need to implement the process of electrolysis without the addition of any foreign chemical into water.

Simply put, the procedure must be carried out breaking H2O directly without the help of any catalyst medium.

However if you try to do this, you will find the process to be very lethargic and absolutely impossible, because the bond between the H2O components are so great, it might become impossible to disintegrate them into parts.

But it can be done through brute force, meaning instead of using low power DC, if we use mains AC, and introduce it into a container filled with water, we might just be able to force the liquid to separate into its pure forms.

THIS METHOD HAS BEEN DISCOVERED BY ME, I ASSUME SO, BECAUSE IT'S NOT BEEN DISCUSSED ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE NET SO FAR.

Easy set up for Generating Oxygen and hydrogen at Home in Large Quantities

OK, the method is as simple as it can be, while experimenting I found that by converting mains AC to DC, the process aggravates more rapidly and thick fogs of gases can be seen across the respective electrodes.

And it is definitely important to use DC. otherwise the gases will alternately produced over the two electrodes haphazardly completely ruining the results.

So....it's all about making a bridge rectifier circuit using four diodes, 1n4007 will do. take four of them and construct the bridge rectifier module and next wire up the system as per the shown diagram.

The glass apparatus will need to be carefully set. As can be see in the figure, the two glass tubes are inverted inside a container filled with water.

The two tubes should be filled with the water such that both the tubes share the container water among themselves.

A couple of GRAPHITE electrodes are fitted in such a way that they get inside the tubes water content just as shown in the figure.

The electrodes are terminated out through respective wires connections which are further connected to the bridge rectifiers positive and negative outputs.

The bridge rectifier inputs are in turn connected to mains AC.

The moment power is switched ON, thick surfs of bubbles can be seen coming out from the electrodes and exploding into the respective gas forms into the vacant area of the tubes.

No External Catalyst used

Since there's no external chemical involved here, we can be sure that the gas formed and collected inside the tubes to be pure oxygen and hydrogen.

As the process is allowed to continue, you will find the water level gradually coming down and getting transformed into oxygen and hydrogen within the two tubes.

The tubes should have a valve type arrangement at their top termination, so that the accumulated gas can be either transferred to a larger container or directly accessed from the nozzles by releasing the taps or the valve mechanism.

Warning

THE WHOLE SYSTEM INVOLVES HIGH AC AND DC POTENTIALS, DEATH CAN COME WITHIN MINUTES IF ANY OF THE PART OF THE SYSTEM IS TOUCHED, EVEN THE WATER IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS TO TOUCH IN SWITCHED ON POSITION. DO NOT SHORT CIRCUIT THE ELECTRODES, WHICH MAY RESULT IN FIRE AND HUGE EXPLOSIONS. GREAT CAUTION MUST EXERCISED WHILE HANDLING THIS SET UP.

USE OF A 200 WATT SERIES BULB IS RECOMMENDED TO AVOID A POSSIBLE SHORT CIRCUIT, AND FIRE HAZARD SITUATION.

 

 

How to construct the bridge rectifier and wire it for the above apparatus:

 

 

Video Clip show the minimum set up required for the electrolysis process:

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Reader Interactions

Forum Discussion - Ask a Question

    • Hello Lawal, it will depend on the surface area of the electrodes, so try to make the surface area of the electrodes as large as possible, and speed up the process to the maximum possible levels…

      Reply

  2. OLA SWAGATAM SOU DO BRASIL, ME INTERESSEI MUITO POR ESTE CIRCUITO DE DIODOS PARA USAR EM CELULA DE HHO, EU OBTIVE UMA TENSÃO DE 108 VOLTS DC,EU TE PERGUNTO SE EXISTE PWM QUE POSSA CONTROLAR ESTA ESTA VOLTAGEM, E SEU PODERIA USAR ESTE SISTEMA EM CELULA DE HHO DE PLACAS DE AÇO INOX DE 1 MM DE ESPESSURA….? OBRIGADO PELA SUA ATENÇÃO E PARABENS PELO SEUS PROJETOS E INVENTOS É DE GRANDE IMPORTANCIA PARA TODA A HUMANIDADE OBRIGADO NOVAMENTE.

    Reply

    • Graças Wallace, você pode tentar um dimmer de luz ou qualquer dimmer de ventilador de teto ordinário e usá-lo para controlar o nível HHO ….

      Reply

    • It could be probably done using the following explained gas sensor module and by configuring its output with a digital voltmeter

      https://homemade-circuits.com/2015/04/gas-leakage-alarm-circuit.html

      Reply

  6. Good day! You said that "you invented" this. The process of electrolysis of water has been known for centuries. I did it in 7th grade science class. But using such HIGH VOLTAGE may indeed be your innovation. But highly DANGEROUS! Especially without some sort of fuse/breaker and ground fault interruption system. Runaway short, arc flash explosion, not to mention a Hydrogen explosion from free floating concentrations of Hydrogen could level your house! I would recommend a reduced voltage and some safety features! But, thank you for your work and distribution of circuits, I have found many I can use.

    Reply

    • thanks, but please do not misinterpret something wrongly, here's what's written in the above article:

      THIS METHOD HAS BEEN DISCOVERED BY ME, I ASSUME SO, BECAUSE IT'S NOT BEEN DISCUSSED ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE NET SO FAR.

      here the "method" refers to the using of 220V DC for the electrolysis and absolutely without any external chemical such as salt of soda.

      show me one link on internet which has explained this process.

      Reply

    • electrolysis at reduced voltage will be highly inefficient and ineffective, unless an external agent is added which would result in generating some other gas instead of HHO

      by the 220V is not dangerous until it's handled with negligence and ignorance.

      Reply

  7. Hydrogen released in this process is twice the amount of oxygen. so the flask containing negative electrode will have more amount of hydrogen and more pressure. This pressure will push down the water in the inverted falsk.

    So the whole system has to be contained effectively using valves and pressure guages.

    Reply

  8. hi swagatam i tried this method but i dont know whether it is releasing oxygen nd hydrogen am using graphite rods which are taken from batteries and are placed in 20ml syringes and gas is coollected by connecting the syringe to a pipe… but am not observing any reduction in water in positive electrode after some time the water becomes yellowish colour pls help me its urgent i shud cmplete my project

    Reply

    • Hi power star,

      since water is made up of H2O, then obviously the process is going to generate HHO in the relevant chambers, but do not use any form of catalyst like baking soda or salt…because simply it's not required.

      the yellowish color could be due to impurities in water.

      single graphite rods will not yield anything significant and could take days and months for the water to get reduced and converted to HHO…..you will need arrays of such electrodes or square graphite plates arranged in stacks in 2mm gap in order to get maximum response in minimum amount of time.

      Reply

  11. As a matter of interest regarding my question about pressure/H2O etc – a wikipedia page that speaks about 'Nernst equation' & 'cold fusion' says

    "… calculated that a palladium cathode immersed in a heavy water electrolysis cell could achieve up to 10 to the 27 atmospheres of pressure on the surface of the cathode, enough pressure to cause spontaneous nuclear fusion. In reality, only 10,000-20,000 atmospheres were achieved."

    Although not an answer to my simple question, I am reminded that 'If you sup with the Devil. Use a long spoon.' 🙂

    Reply

  13. Helo again Swagatam,
    Thank you for your kind reply. You have set me thinking about the following:

    If two carbon rods where set into the walls of a very high pressure (non conductive) container that was completley filled with clean water then hydrolysis started. Would you care to speculate on what order of pressuere would eventualy build up in the tank as the H2O was split?

    Reply

    • Hello Steve, that sounds very interesting, however being exclusively from the electronics domain, I have very little idea regarding how chemical reactions work, so I may not be the right person to speculate this, may be some other knowledgeable gentleman would want to comment on this.

      Reply

    • That's an INCORRECT information.

      HHO from electrolysis process can never form Dihydrogen monoxide or water.

      By the way Dihydrogen monoxide is just an alternate scientific name for water.

      Please do not encourage Hoax, and stay away from deceptive and malicious information

      Reply

    • 'Dihydrogen monoxide'
      Hello Swagman,
      I suggest your more gullible followers read:
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dihydrogen_monoxide_hoax
      Regards,
      Steve Bloggs.

      Reply

    • Hi Swagatam.
      You leave a comment for me that says:
      Please do not encourage Hoax, and stay away from deceptive and malicious information

      I'm sorry you think any of the information I gave was a Hoax, deceptive or malicious information.
      As I said "I am only a Layman, but I do believe"(Please note is said 'believe'), and I did not say that (I know!), and I still do 'believe' it to be the truth that:

      1)If you mix Pure Oxygen and Pure Hydrogen you may get water / 'Dihydrogen Monoxide'.

      2)Graphite rods which are taken from batteries may contain noxious chemicals and dangerous metals, you would probably be better off with the graphite Rods that you buy four pencils.

      3)Note: "pencil leads" do not have lead in them, they are made from graphite and clay.

      4)Even though the size of "pencil leads" is small, a few fix together will give you a greater surface area then one large rod.

      5)The "Facts About Dihydrogen Monoxide" Was just a bit of fun information and Light reading for your followers.

      I did notice that one of your readers was thinking about making oxygen to breathe so I do think that point two three and four are very valid points in this case.

      I have looked at many of your circuits, and I have seen how hard you have worked to help people, in my mind you are a great person, and you seem to have a great knowledge electronics.

      I would just like to say thank you for your articles, and thank you for making the world a better place.

      I do not know which post or where in my posts there was deceptive or malicious information, so I'm going to delete all my comments, feel free to repost any of my points that you may think applicable accurate or necessary.

      So sorry for bad post, wish you all the best for you and your site.

      Regards, Lee

      Reply

    • Thank you Lee for clarifying your point of view, I did not mean to hurt you, I was just worried about the fact that readers might get a wrong impression about the above circuit, and get confused whether to use it or not.
      I strongly believe that HH and O in the atmosphere can never combine until these are forcibly fitted through some specialized equipment.

      Anyway, I appreciate your concern and sensibility…please keep reading my articles and feel free to express your thoughts through your valuable comments.

      Reply

  14. Hello Swagatam,
    I have to realy admire your patience in dealing with most of the comments addressed to you about making gasses this way. I I have been working in electronics & electrics for over 60 years. I would NEVER have the courage to present such a high(ish) voltage method to 'lay' people. Please discourage your readers from using 'table salt' + low voltage as this will make chlorine also. If they try 'salt' with your circuit (nothing wrong with it as you have well advised) then they will be in for very bad news. Also stress the use of carbon electrodes (unless you have some platinum about!) & insulate any copper used to connect to them that is under water or they will be introduced to eletroplating (Areldite epoxy glue is good.) Keep up the good work & thanks.

    Steve Bloggs

    Reply

    • Thanks so much Steve,

      I am aware of the dangers associated with the above design and that's why I have put the warning message at the bottom of the article. I have also suggested the elimination of any kind of external chemical agent in the procedure which would actually spoil the purpose of the proposed experiment.

      In one of the comments I have also recommended the use of graphite rods instead of metal…

      Anyway, I appreciate your valuable concern and hope that the viewers read and understand the precautions emphasized by you.

      Many thanks.

      Reply

  15. hi swagatam,
    you said via AC you will get force so that gases will get separate but y again you are converting AC to DC via rectifier,then it is as usual rite i.e, it will get power from DC only rite

    Reply

    • Hi power star,

      it's the voltage level that's important, and AC will never work actually.

      therefore the AC is rectified to DC at around 300V, which makes it possible to force the electrolysis significantly even without an external catalyst agent.

      Reply

  16. hi,
    I have been suffering with heart problem, it cause low oxygen levels in my body, could you please tell me can I use this experiment for making oxygen for increase body oxygen. kindly give me the details. I am poor I cannot purchase oxygen concentrate machine. please contact me at rcheburthy@gmail.com. thank you.

    Reply

    • The above set up will generate oxygen and hydrogen for sure, hydrogen will go up in the air since it's lighter than air, oxygen will stay in the premise, however I am not sure whether it will hep your cause or not, you better consult a physician about it.

      Use graphite material for the electrodes.

      Reply

  17. Hi admin,

    Tnx for the repply.
    Actually I used abve setup basically, I got ur point. I gess that the reason is that u mension,issue is surface area of the electrodes.
    Bcoz I used two 2.5inch long bolts as electrodes.
    I'm going to use two copper plates as electrodes next time.
    I will upadte u.
    What do u mean as "boost converter circuits"? Is it PWM?

    Varuna.

    Reply

  18. Hi,
    Dear admin, i was tested this process with a my own setup building using PVC pipe as two containers.
    Noticed that there are very low and negligible amount of O2 and H2 emitted from two electrodes.
    Is there any method to boost this process?

    Varuna

    Reply

    • Hi Varuna,

      Did you use the set up as shown in the diagram??

      Also, please note that the electrodes should be thick, because the surface area of the electrodes is directly proportional to the amount of the gas released…

      Other method would be to use a boost converter circuits.

      Reply

  20. Dear admin,
    Is there any pissibility to shorcircuit over the water, i mean it can be switch off the power via MCB. please repply

    Varuna

    Reply

    • Dear Varuna,

      Water normally presents a high resistance to electricity, in the order of many 100ks, so there's no chance of any short circuit and the MCB won't get activated….

      Reply

    • Please note: anyone trying this to do this outside so gas does not build up inside your home and ignite, causing an explosion, death , or destruction of your home.
      Hydrogen is oderless so you wont know if its building up to explosive levels. Just a very few bubbles, if contained can explode violently. Beware and be safe, and always wear safety glasses for such activities.

      Reply

    • Thank you Siree,

      I have highlighted and linked the "making of bridge rectifier" just click on that phrase and you will be redirected to the aticle where I've explained how to make a bridge rectifier.

      I have tested this circuit and it works, I did not take any videos of it..I'll do it if I build it again.

      Reply

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