EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF ENHANCED STEAM GENERATION THROUGH ELECTROLYSIS IN GLOW DISCHARGE MODE

Electric discharges through liquids initiate various chemical and physical processes which can be utilized in efficient treatment of waste water and generation of steam. In the present paper, generation of heat in an electrolytic cell operating in glow discharge mode has been studied. It is observed that glow discharge mode constitutes an efficient process for steam generation. The electric current between the electrodes reduces dramatically in the glow discharge mode and the voltage between the electrodes increases to open circuit voltage. The decrease in current can be explained by decrease in overall electrical conductivity of the system with the formation of a vapor film around the cathode. This vapor film is partially ionized because of the presence of locally high electric field near the cathode. It is this ionization process that results in a visible glow around the cathode and an increased rate of volumetric heat generation.