Build Your Own Elektrolyser

Have you ever thought about how you can actively contribute to a more sustainable future? Building an electrolyser is not only an exciting project, but also an opportunity to expand your own knowledge of renewable energy and sustainable technologies.

With your own electrolyser, you can show how easy it is to split water into hydrogen and oxygen - an important step on the way to using hydrogen as a clean energy source. You will be amazed at how much potential there is in electrolysis, which not only drives the energy transition, but also opens up new perspectives for the storage and utilisation of energy.

This project is more than just an experiment - it's an opportunity to get creative, tinker and create something with your own hands. Whether you are a technology enthusiast or a newcomer to renewable energy, building an electrolyser is an educational and rewarding step. Not only will you learn about chemistry and engineering, but also about the principles of sustainability and the importance of innovations that can change the world.

Take the first step towards a greener future - build your own electrolyser and become an active part of the energy revolution!

You will find the detailed instructions in this PDF!

Electrolysis construction

3D-printed:

1. 5x maternity protection
2. 3x insulation disc
3. 1x insulation layer
4. 1x diaphragm
5. 2x start of thread
6. 1x electrolysis construction holder

additional material:

1. 2x stainless steel thread M6 (30 mm each)
2. 5x stainless steel nut M6
3. 2x graphite electrode (50x50x5 mm)
4. 1x red laboratory socket
5. 1x black laboratory socket
6. 1x measuring lead red
7. 1x measuring lead black
8. 1x lighter
9. Heat-shrink tubing (⌀>6 mm/<6 mm)

Electrolyser

3D-printed:

1. 2x current termination protection
2. 1x lower part
3. 1x upper part
4. 1x gas separation
5. 1x test tube holder

Additional material:

1. 10x square nut M3 stainless steel
2. 10x cylinder head screws M3x10 mm stainless steel
3. 2x test tube (⌀ 16 mm)
4. Allen key (for cylinder head screw M3)

Experiment

1. Water basin (min. 110x80x120 mm)
2. Water (preferably deionised water)
3. Certified power supply unit
4. possibly sulphuric acid

!!! You find the access to the stl-files for the 3D-printing part in the PDF !!!

Drill three holes in each of the graphite plates. Two with the 6 mm drill and one with the 7 mm drill. Make sure that you measure the distances exactly. The plan is in the pictures.

Pay attention: Graphite is fragile. Work carefully and do not exert any strong forces on it. Drill the holes accurately, otherwise the electrode may not fit.

1. Place the start of the thread on one end of a thread (30 mm) and then screw a nut up to it (Fig. 1).

2. Cut about 7 mm of shrink tubing and clamp it with a second nut (Fig. 2).

3. Allow the shrink tubing to shrink with a lighter (Fig. 3).

4. Remove both nuts and replace the first one with an insulation disc (Fig. 4).

Ensure that the indentation is in the direction of the shrink sleeve.

1. Take the second thread (30 mm) and attach a thread start at one end.

2. Then screw the nut up to the start of the thread (Fig. 5).

1. Insert the first thread through the larger 7 mm hole in the electrode so that the insulation disc is in contact and the shrink tubing separates the electrode and the thread.

2. Insert another insulation disc (indentation in the direction of the electrode) from the other side onto the thread until the electrode is clamped (Fig. 6).

3. Take the second thread and insert it through the outer 6 mm hole in the electrode.

4. Screw a nut to the electrode from the other side (Fig. 7).

Pay attention: Do not overtighten, otherwise damage may occur or the entire construction may be displaced!

5. Cover each of the two nuts with a nut protector (Fig. 8).

Note: You can use the electrolysis construction bracket as an aid. However, this is not necessary to master the construction.

1. Guide the diaphragm through the two threads up to the nut and the insulation disc (Fig. 9).

Pay attention: The diaphragm is sensitive and can be damaged by the thread.

2. Screw a nut onto the first thread with the insulation discs and fasten the diaphragm.

Tighten firmly, but not too much!

3. Cover the nut with a nut protector.

4. Now place an insulation disc on the second thread with the nuts to the diaphragm (indentation not towards the diaphragm) (Fig. 10 and 11).

1. Cut off a 7 mm piece of heat-shrink tubing and insert it into the second thread on the insulation disc.

2. Clamp this piece with a nut and shrink it with the lighter (Fig. 12).

Pay attention: The 3D print is not heat resistant! Use a wet handkerchief to protect the printed object from the heat (especially the diaphragm).

1. Remove the nut that you used to clamp the heat-shrink tubing.

2. Place the second electrode on the thread so that the 7 mm hole is once again on the heat-shrink tubing (Fig. 13).

3. On the side with the heat-shrink tubing, guide the insulation layer onto the thread and secure it to the electrode with a nut (Fig. 14).

4. Fasten the electrode on the other side with a nut.

5. Cover each of the two nuts with a nut protector (Fig. 15).

Pay attention: Do not overtighten! It is correct if the last two nuts no longer fit completely on the thread (Fig. 15).

1. Take a black and a red laboratory socket and unscrew the two nuts on each. They are no longer needed.

2. Screw the two laboratory sockets into the protruding nuts on one side each (Fig. 16).

Note: Only about one turn is possible in each case, but the socket should still hold well.

1. Insert the electrolysis construction into the electrolysis construction holder and connect it to the power supply unit using the black and red test leads.

Pay attention: No voltage must be applied yet!

2. Place the electrolysis construction in the water basin and fill it with water. Use sulphuric acid as a catalyser as required.

3. A voltage of 10 volts can now be applied. During the experiment, increase the voltage up to 20 volts. Now you should see bubbles going up.

1. unscrew the laboratory sockets of the electrolysis construction and screw a current termination protection onto each (Fig. 20 and 21).

2. screw the laboratory sockets back on and insert the electrolysis construction into the lower part. It is fully inserted when both threads are halfway into the indentation provided in the lower part (Fig. 22).

Pay attention: Never use a lot of force or choke. Make sure that the electrodes and the diaphragm are in their intended slot and look for the blockage.

1. Insert a square nut (M3 DIN 562) into each of the four slots in the lower part. If necessary, use a thin object to help you (Fig. 23). 2.

2. Place the upper section on the lower section and ensure that it is correctly aligned (Fig. 24).

Pay attention: Never use a lot of force or choke. Make sure that the electrodes and the diaphragm are in their intended slot and look for the blockage.

3. Screw the lower part to the upper part at all four points using the cylinder head screws (M3x10 mm) with the Allen key (Fig. 25).

1. Press a square nut into each of the four slots in the upper part (Fig. 26).

2. Carefully place the gas separation on the upper part (Fig. 27).

3. Crew the two parts together at the four points (Fig. 28).

1. Insert a square nut into each of the two slots in the gas separator

(Fig. 29).

2. Place the two test tubes in the test tube holder. A twisting motion will make it easier to pass through the opening (Fig. 30).

3. Screw a cylinder head screw into each of the two corresponding openings so that the screws protrude slightly at the bottom (Fig. 31).

1. Fill your water basin with water.

Pay attention: Do not add any sulphuric acid yet!

2. Place the electrolyser in the water basin. It must be completely covered with water (Fig. 32).

3. Immerse the two test tubes with the holder in the water basin so that their openings are facing upwards and there is no more air in the test tubes (Fig. 33).

4. Turn the test tubes upside down under water and screw them onto the gas separation (Fig. 34).

Pay attention: The test tubes must no longer contain any air (Fig. 35)!

5. Add sulphuric acid as a catalyser if required.

The electrolyser has been completed. When experimenting, make sure that you follow the safety instructions to prevent damage and accidents. Have fun!

In the PDF you will find everything more detailed and some additional informations (stl-files, ...)