TITLE:
Use of the Ash and Water Solution as Electrolyte for the Production of Hydrogen
AUTHORS:
Coffi Wilfrid Adihou, Lansoudé T. Edah, Edmond Claude Vodounnou, Comlan Aristide Houngan, Malahimi Anjorin, Assogba Djromahouton Odélien
KEYWORDS:
Air Pollution, Clean Energy, Electrolysis, Ash Solution, Hydrogen Production
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.16 No.2,
February
6,
2026
ABSTRACT: This study focuses on hydrogen production through water electrolysis using an ash solution. Hydrogen is increasingly being used as a replacement for fossil fuels in various applications, including transportation and industry. The study involves using an ash solution as an electrolyte instead of potassium hydroxide. Electrolyte solutions were prepared using 100g of ash per 1L of water. For the experiment, 0.2 L, 0.5 L, 1 L, and 2 L of this prepared solution were respectively taken and diluted with water to obtain 3 L of electrolyte for hydrogen production. During the tests, production parameters such as temperature, current intensity, voltage, and hydrogen production time were measured because of their influence on the quantity and continuity of hydrogen production through water electrolysis. The results reveal that, for a volume of 0.2 L of ash solution, hydrogen production was 0.058 L/min, the voltage was 13.41 V, the current was 26 A, and the temperature varied from 30˚C to 35˚C over a period of 4 minutes and 10 seconds. For a volume of 0.5 L of ash solution, hydrogen production was 0.494 L/min, the voltage was 13.30 V, the current was 36.6 A, and the temperature varied from 30 to 34˚C over a period of 1 minute and 31 seconds. For a volume of 1 L of ash solution, hydrogen production was 0.5 L/min. Parameters such as temperature varied from 30 to 36˚C, with an electrical voltage of 12.5 V and a current of 68 A over a period of 1 minute and 35 seconds. A 2 L volume of ash solution provides rapid and abundant hydrogen production. Production parameters such as temperature vary from 30 to 40°C with an electrical voltage of 11.07 V and a current of 90 A for a duration of 1 minute 15 seconds. In conclusion, a 0.5 L volume of ash solution in the tank allows for stable operation of the hydrogen generator with minimal variation in production parameters.