Enhancing Hydrogen Gas Production in Electrolysis Cells with Ammonium Chloride and Solar PV Integration

In this study, the electrolysis of water by using ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) as an electrolyte was investigated for the production of hydrogen gas. The assembled electrochemical cell consists mainly of twenty-one stainless-steel electrodes and a direct current from a battery, ammonium chloride solution. In the electrolysis process, hydrogen and oxygen are developed at the same time and collected as a mixture to be used as a fuel. This study explores a technic regarding the matching of oxyhydrogen (HHO) electrolyzers with photovoltaic (PV) systems to make HHO gas. The primary objective of the present research is to enable the electrolyzer to operate independently of other energy origins, functioning as a complete unit powered solely by PV. Moreover, the impact of using PWM on cell operation was investigated. The experimental data was collected at various time intervals, NH4Cl concentrations. Additionally, the hydrogen unit consists of two cells with a shared positive pole fixed between them. Some undesirable anodic reaction affects the efficiency of hydrogen gas production because of the corrosion of anode to ferrous hydroxide (Fe(OH)2). Polyphosphate Inhibitor was used to minimize the corrosion reaction of anode and keep the efficiency of hydrogen gas flow. The optimal concentration of 3M for ammonium chloride was identified, balancing a gas flow rate of 772 ml/min with minimal anode corrosion. Without PWM, conversion efficiency ranges between 93% and 96%. Therefore, PWM increased conversion efficiency by approximately 5%, leading to a corresponding increase in hydrogen gas production.