If electrolysis is performed at the bottom of a tall cell then the evolved
gases
will rise through the height of the column. This can be used to perform
work.
... the higher the column of water the more work may be done.
The energy required to separate the water would largely be regained when
the gases are re-combined at the top with the work done in between as
extra 'free' energy...
A form of water-wheel in reverse could be driven by the rising gases (one
each for anode/cathode to avoid working with volatile gas mixture).
I would not recommend building such an unwieldy setup although it does show
that a potential well can be created by the splitting of water at a point
from which
the gases have to perform work in order to reach potential equilibrium.
The gases which could be used to lift weights through the column height and
simplistically, the higher the column the greater the potential and hence
the
amount of energy available.
If this principle is applied to creating a pressurised cell rather than
using
a water column then the pressurised gases may be exploited before being
recombined into water and returned to the system.
Unfortunately I offer this only as an idea since I do not posess the
relevant
expertise to say how pressure increases would affect the dissociation
energy requirements for the electrolytic action.
If I'm barking up a previously climbed tree then please accept my
apologies.. I just thought I'd throw my 2 cents worth in.
Regards,
Brian.
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