what is meant by exhaustive electrolysis of water?
Exhaustive electrolysis means electrolyzing water for longer duration in a cell, various stages it passed through and the volume of water is reduced in each stage. At the last stage we get maximum % of product. Its nothing but repeating the electrolysis process in various stages still we get the maximum % of the desired product of electrolysis.
Heavy water is (D2O) prepared by the exhaustive electrolysis of water containing alkali. Taylor, Eyring and Forst developed this method in 1933. Using steel cathode and nickel anode the electrolysis of N/2 NaOH is carried out. It consists of a cylindrical steel container (45 cm long and 10 cm in diameter) which acts as cathode. A perforated cylindrical sheet of nickel acts as the anode. A number of such cells are generally used. In the first stage, the electrolysis is carried out for 72 hours and volume of the electrolyte reduces to about one-sixth of the original volume. The alkali present in it is neutralised by passing CO2 into it and contents are distilled. Now, it is taken to another cell for second stage of electrolysis. The process isthe repeated seven times. At the end of the seventh stage, the residue consists of 99% heavy water.
Heavy water is (D2O) prepared by the exhaustive electrolysis of water containing alkali. Taylor, Eyring and Forst developed this method in 1933. Using steel cathode and nickel anode the electrolysis of N/2 NaOH is carried out. It consists of a cylindrical steel container (45 cm long and 10 cm in diameter) which acts as cathode. A perforated cylindrical sheet of nickel acts as the anode. A number of such cells are generally used. In the first stage, the electrolysis is carried out for 72 hours and volume of the electrolyte reduces to about one-sixth of the original volume. The alkali present in it is neutralised by passing CO2 into it and contents are distilled. Now, it is taken to another cell for second stage of electrolysis. The process isthe repeated seven times. At the end of the seventh stage, the residue consists of 99% heavy water.
