AboutDavid L. Russell, PE Expertise I`m a Chemical,Civil and Environmental Engineer and have a number of projects in all phases of the environment.
I have worked in the chemical industry and am active in professional societies, and am currently on an industrial wastes committee for the Water Environment Federation, and have taught courses in remediation in the US and abroad.
I have written one book on Remediation of petroleum Contaminated Sites, and have a second book on PRACTICAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT to be published by John Wiley in September, 2006. I've also written over 30 articles on various elements of environmental problems and cleanup. Most Recently, I have addressed a NATO Scientific and Techical Conference on Ecoterrorism, and have worked with the same group on remediation of sites contaminated with Chemical Warfare Agent materials and othe materials as well. . I can answer q`s about Chemical and Environmental Engineering, land development, air pollution, water pollution, soil and water cleanup, combustion, international environmental problems, industrial processes chemical processes. Civil and Environmental and Chemical Engineering. Overall, I have over 35 years of experience in this area. Note: I do not answer homework questions
Experience I love work in the third world and developing areas
because it is challenging and one can get a sense of accomplishment.
Question I am experimenting with electrolysis but then I am confused on how to gather the hydrogen without contaminating or mixing it with the oxygen or other gases around it in the air. I am going into tenth grade and have done lots of research on hydrogen and even a project on it but i am confused on how you gather it. Thanks
Answer Your challenge will be to separate the other compounds, other than hydrogen and oxygen.
I would suggest that you use a salt solution which is prepared with a non-chloride salt. Ask your chemistry teacher. The hydrogen will accumulate at one electrode, and the oxygen at the other, so keep the electrodes widely spaced. Most chemical experiments use something like hollow glass tubing in the shape of a football field goal (US football) or an H shape.
The electrodes are placed in each of the legs of the H, and when you run a direct current through them, the hydrogen will accumulate at one electrode and the oxygen at another. You will be able to distinguish by volume. The volume of hydrogen will be twice that of the oxygen. The non-soidum chloride salt is to give you conductivity and enable you to use lower current.
Caution. Don't mix the hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is explosive in air, and the oxygen will support combustion very easily so be cautious. If you are not familiar with the experiment, talk to your chemistry teacher.
