What is electrolysis and how does it work?
Sarah Cherry
Published Feb 08, 2026
What is electrolysis and how does it work?
Electrolysis is the process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. This reaction takes place in a unit called an electrolyzer. Electrolyzers can range in size from small, appliance-size equipment that is well-suited for small-scale distributed hydrogen production to large-scale,…
What is the best electrolyte to use for electrolysis?
Electrolyzers using a liquid alkaline solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide as the electrolyte have been commercially available for many years. Newer approaches using solid alkaline exchange membranes (AEM) as the electrolyte are showing promise on the lab scale.
What is the working principle of alkaline electrolyzer?
Alkaline Electrolyzers Alkaline electrolyzers operate via transport of hydroxide ions (OH -) through the electrolyte from the cathode to the anode with hydrogen being generated on the cathode side. Electrolyzers using a liquid alkaline solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide as the electrolyte have been commercially available for many years.
Who makes ThyssenKrupp’s electrolyzers?
Thyssenkrupp manufactures its electrolyzers with De Nora, its strategic supplier and joint venture partner, in premade standard modules. One module is able to generate up to 4,000 cubic meters of hydrogen per hour.
Is the enthalpy of water required for electrolysis?
Electrolysis of Water. This change in internal energy must be accompanied by the expansion of the gases produced, so the change in enthalpy represents the necessary energy to accomplish the electrolysis. However, it is not necessary to put in this whole amount in the form of electrical energy.
How does the environment affect electrolysis of water?
Electrolysis of Water. Since the electrolysis process results in an increase in entropy, the environment “helps” the process by contributing the amount TΔS. The utility of the Gibbs free energy is that it tells you what amount of energy in other forms must be supplied to get the process to proceed.
