Overview
Pulse electrolysis is an alternate electrolysis method that utilises a pulsed direct current to initiate non-spontaneous chemical reactions. Also known as pulsed direct current (PDC) electrolysis, the increased number of variables that it introduces to the electrolysis method can change the application of the current to the electrodes and the resulting outcome. This varies from direct current (DC) electrolysis, which only allows the variation of one value, the voltage applied. By utilising conventional pulse width modulation (PMW), multiple dependent variables can be altered, including the type of waveform, typically a rectangular pulse wave, the duty cycle, and the frequency. Currently, there has been a focus on theoretical and experimental research into PDC electrolysis in terms of the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen. Claims have been made that there is a possibility it can result in a higher electrical efficiency in comparison to DC water electrolysis, but past research has shown this is not the case. The varying voltage and current added on top of the DC cause additional energy consumption with no effect on the hydrogen production. Because of the increasing energy consumption, attempts to replicate claimed benefits experimentally have not succeeded, and have found negative effects on the electrolyser longevity instead.