Enhanced electrolytic reactions

Abstract

Methods of enhancing an electrolytic reaction, including preparing an electrochemical apparatus including an electrolyte supply, two electrodes immersed in the electrolyte supply, and an electrolytic reactant; exposing the electrochemical apparatus to a magnetic field having a field strength selected to prolong a lifetime of a free radical entity generated by the electrochemical apparatus, for a time sufficient to prolong the lifetime of the free radical entity; and passing an electric current through the electrochemical apparatus between the two electrodes, where the electric current is selected to electrolyze the electrolytic reactant via a production of free radical entities.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of enhancing an electrolytic reaction, comprising:
 preparing an electrochemical apparatus including an electrolyte supply, two electrodes immersed in the electrolyte supply, and an electrolytic reactant;   exposing the electrochemical apparatus to a magnetic field having a field strength selected to prolong a lifetime of a free radical entity generated by the electrochemical apparatus, for a time sufficient to prolong the lifetime of the free radical entity; and   passing an electric current through the electrochemical apparatus between the two electrodes, where the electric current is selected to electrolyze the electrolytic reactant via a production of free radical entities.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field is created by at least one magnet positioned exterior to the electrochemical apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein exposing the electrochemical apparatus to the magnetic field includes exposing the electrochemical apparatus 10-500 gauss. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte supply is an aqueous electrolyte supply. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte supply is an aqueous electrolyte supply, the electrolytic reactant is water, and the electrolytic reaction is a water hydrolysis.