Originally Posted by
NobleMetalWorks
Before I explain what the plating is, lets first break down what Alum actually is instead of using it's industrial name. Alum = Hydrated Potassium Aluminum Sulfate or it's formula would be KAl(SO4)2·12H2O
John Bedini said to use straight aluminium sulphate and distilled water; Al2(SO4)3 + 12H2O.
As I understand, it is not possible to obtain aluminium from the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of a salt; aluminium itself in this configuration is not soluable in water, and the water simply electrolyses in preference to aluminium sulphate, so the aluminum does not precipitate out;, So is it electro-plating onto one of the electrodes (Lead/Lead oxide)? Which one does it plate onto, the lead cathode (Reduction)?
I am interested in this myself because i have been researching solid state electrolytes for batteries, and thought that this conversion would be simple and cost effective, but now it does not sound so great. I originally came across this idea reading on T.T.Brown's work on petrovoltaics; I wanted to make a crystal power cell! It seemed a good idea as I was researching the topic, but nobody working on it could explain what exactly was going on. I myself have made one such "lead-alum" battery from a 6v 2aH for testing to verify if this was in fact some kind of internet myth, now it seems it very well may be. Well the battery works, but as you said, the surge current that was once in the battery basically went away. Of course, there is no free energy here!
I do want to point out that this experiment does work with any 2 pieces of conductor with an electrode potential difference commuting through the proposed electrolyte, whether the electrolyte is liquid or solid. Wheather or not this is a good idea is another thing entirely.
Cheers!
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