Electrolysis water of water for the simultaneous production of hydrogen and oxygen is commonly carried out with a solution of a base such as caustic soda, the concentration of which remains constant. The first step is represented as follows: 2H2O + 2e = H2 + 2OH~ (e = electron). The hydroxyl ion so produced takes up additional electrons to form oxygen and water.
The desalting plant would also supply considerable byproduct electricity for energy-consuming heavy industry. By means of Electrolysis water (electrical decomposition) of water, hydrogen would be produced, and by exploiting what has been learned about fuel-cell technology in space research, the price of this hydrogen could become quite low. The main use for the hydrogen would be to produce ammonia for fertilizer. It could even serve as a substitute for coke in reducing iron from its ore and in providing the heat needed for desalinization.
In an alternate method pure chromium ma> be obtained by reduction of the chromic oxide b> either carbon or silicon in an electric arc furnace, By Electrolysis water of either chrome alum or chormic acid solutions, a deposit of approximately 99.8% metallic chromium can be obtained at the cathode.