Which gas(es) does electrolytic flotation use?

Which gas(es) does electrolytic flotation use?

• A. Hydrogen and oxygen
• B. Air
• C. Nitrogen
• D. Carbon dioxide

Answer: (A)

Electrolytic flotation generates gas bubbles directly in the water by electrolysis. When a direct current passes through water, it splits into hydrogen gas at the cathode and oxygen gas at the anode. These bubbles rise and attach to suspended particles, making them buoyant enough to float to the surface for removal. That’s why the gases involved are hydrogen and oxygen. Air isn’t used in this method (that’s typical of dissolved air flotation, where air is introduced under pressure). Nitrogen or carbon dioxide aren’t produced by standard water electrolysis, so they aren’t the gases involved here. The process follows the reaction 2 H2O → 2 H2 + O2, giving a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen.

Electrolytic flotation generates gas bubbles directly in the water by electrolysis. When a direct current passes through water, it splits into hydrogen gas at the cathode and oxygen gas at the anode. These bubbles rise and attach to suspended particles, making them buoyant enough to float to the surface for removal. That’s why the gases involved are hydrogen and oxygen.

Air isn’t used in this method (that’s typical of dissolved air flotation, where air is introduced under pressure). Nitrogen or carbon dioxide aren’t produced by standard water electrolysis, so they aren’t the gases involved here. The process follows the reaction 2 H2O → 2 H2 + O2, giving a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen.