Influence of the ballast resistor on the current-voltage characteristics in the cathodic subregimes of the plasma-driven solution electrolysis

The paper presents the results of an experimental study of the current-voltage characteristics in the DC electrolysis of 10 wt% Na2CO3 aqueous solution covering three operational regimes: Faradaic, transition, and regime of the plasma-driven solution electrolysis (PDSE). An interpretation of the current-voltage characteristic is given, especially for the PDSE regime of electrolysis, which is composed of two subregimes: stable and violent glow discharges. This study shows for the first time an influence of the ballast resistor introduced in series to the electrolytic cell circuit on the operating current and voltage as well as power consumption to sustain the glow discharges. Thus, introducing the ballast resistance of 15 Ohm decreases power consumption needed to sustain the glow discharges by 44%. The optical emission spectroscopy diagnostics (OES) shows a sequence of the appearance of the Na, OH, and H & alpha; emission lines when the transition regime and subregimes of the cathodic PDSE are attained with an increase of the applied DC voltage.