In June 2020, we designed, built and tested a Hydrogen generator aiming to get a reliable small-scale source of Hydrogen for filling our 6m3 balloon. Project goal is to be able to produce 1m3 of Hydrogen gas in 24hrs.
Whole project went through a gradual scale up of our design and took almost a year. Final design involved:
- A home-grade welder to provide sustainable DC
- Primary (active) and secondary (passive) cooling cycles to get rid of excessive heat
- Corrosion-resistant basin with Teflon coating
- Automated electrolyte-refilling system
- Hydrogen exhaust cooler
- Stainless steel electrodes
- Spark-protection fuse
Whole process got documented in following posts:
SPARKY
ALL ABOUT WELDERS …
HAPPY WELDING!
TWO WELDERS STORY
CABLING UPGRADE
KOH RESTOCKING
RELEASE THE BLIMPER!
HYDROGEN GENERATOR MK. VI
ALUMINIUM CORROSION
DR. HYDROGEN OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB
HYDROGEN GENERATOR MK. VIII
FINAL BALLOON RELEASE
