AUTOMATION OF AN ELECTROLYTIC MACHINE FOR HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN GENERATION – A RETROFIT PROJECT STUDY

Abstract

This article sought to describe the retrofit development of an electrolytic machine, originally designed in 1980. It is an electrolyzer for the production of hydrogen and oxygen for small welding, called "Micro Oxyhydrogen Torch – MOT". The initial project focused on the constructive aspects of the product. The retrofit upgrades the machine with hardware and software technologies for automation, aiming for greater safety and precision in handling and control. The methodology included CAD remodeling based on the original equipment parameters and the determination of current behavior as a function of electrolyte resistivity and operating temperature. Due to the absence of physical prototyping, simulation via Artificial Intelligence (OpenAI ChatGPT) was used to project the behavior of the variables: current, temperature and voltage over time. Analysis indicated that the electrolyte temperature increases significantly without refrigeration, which impacts safety and efficiency. The proposed automation controls the current through the voltage of the switched power supply, via the PWM signal from a PLC based on ESP32-S3. Sensors and actuators were used to control the flow of gases by monitoring the outlet pressure, ensuring a safe flow of the oxyhydrogen mixture and preventing the flame from flashing back.