Enhancing the Yield of Molecular Hydrogen during the Process of γ-Radolysis of Water

Abstract

The paper considers the problem of increasing the yield of molecular hydrogen during the process of water radiolysis. In order to increase the yield, the authors suggest using an evenly distributed constant magnetic field, in addition to ionizing radiation. The analysis of radiolysis products was based on five chemical elements: radicals of hydrogen \({{{\text{H}}}^{ \bullet }}\) and hydroxyl group \({\text{O}}{{{\text{H}}}^{ \bullet }}\) as well as molecular hydrogen Н₂, oxygen О₂ and hydrogen peroxyde Н₂О₂. The analysis of Н radicals “recombination”, when a hydrogen molecule formed, was performed within the framework of a hydrogen atom and molecule (Н₂) model of N. Bohr. A physical “mechanism” for increasing the yield of molecular hydrogen and a calculation algorithm under magnetic field conditions are presented. The results of the calculations demonstrated that as the magnetic field intensity increased, the concentration of active and molecular hydrogen increased as well, while the concentration of other radiolysis products declined. Thus, the use of the magnetic field and increased ionizing radiation dose rate will contribute to further increase of energy efficiency of γ-radiolysis of water for further hydrogen production. The negative aspect of extracting such environmentally-friendly fuel using such technologies is that the applied water cannot be simply discharged back after the cycle to the sea or river since it will contain \({\text{OH}}\bullet \) hydroxyl group which is a fairly “hard” radical capable of attaching to different molecular structures and forming chemical compounds with unknown properties; it will also contain H₂O₂ hydrogen peroxide which, when dissolved in water, is a danger to wildlife and humans, and therefore it cannot be simply discharged onto the ground for the same reason. In addition, as calculations and experimental results show, during the process of water radiolysis, the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water decreases, which leads to the formation of properties that will negatively affect the life of aquatic flora and fauna.