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Ozone generation via the electrolysis of fluoboric acid using glassy carbon anodes and air depolarized cathodes

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Abstract

An electrochemical ozone generation process was studied wherein glassy carbon anodes and air depolarized cathodes were used to produce ozone at concentrations much higher than those obtainable by conventional oxygen-fed corona discharge generators. A mathematical model of the build up of ozone concentration with time is presented and compared to experimental data. Products based on this technology show promise of decreased initial costs compared with corona discharge ozone generation; however, energy consumption per kg ozone is greater. Recent developments in the literature are reviewed.

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Abbreviations

A :

electrode area (m2)

Ar * :

modified Archimedes number, d b 3 gαG/ν2 (1 — αG)

C O 3 (aq) :

concentration of dissolved ozone (mol m−3)

C O 3 i :

concentration at interface (mol m−3)

C O 3 1 :

concentration in bulk liquid (mol m−3)

D :

diffusion coefficient (m2 s−1)

E :

electrode potential against reference (V)

F :

charge of one mole of electrons (96 485 C mol−1)

g :

gravitational acceleration (9.806 65 m s−2)

i :

current density (A m−2)

i 1 :

limiting current density (A m−2)

I :

current (A)

j :

material flux per unit area (mol m−2 s−1)

k obs :

observed rate constant (mol−1 s−1)

k t :

thermal conductivity (J s−1 K−1)

L :

reactor/anode height (m)

N O 3 :

average rate of mass transfer (mol m−2 s−1)

Q :

heat flux (J s−1)

r i :

radius of anode interior (m)

r a :

radius of anode exterior (m)

r c :

radius of cathode (m)

R :

gas constant (8.314 J K−1 mol−1)

S c :

Schmidt number, v/D

Sh :

Sherwood number, k m d b/D = i L d b/zFD[O3]

t :

time (s)

T i :

temperature of inner surface (K)

T o :

temperature of outer surface (K)

U :

reactor terminal voltage (V)

ν:

electrolyte linear velocity (m s−1)

V :

volume (m3)

V O 3 :

volume of ozone evolved (10−6 m3 h−1)

z i :

number of Faradays per mole of reactant in the electrochemical reaction

αG :

gas phase fraction in the electrolyte

δ:

(mean) Nernst diffusion layer thickness (m)

Φ:

fractional current efficiency

η:

overpotential (V)

ν:

electrolyte kinematic viscosity (m2 s−1)

ρ:

electrolyte resistivity (V A−1 m)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. OxyTech, Inc., 141B Albright Way, 95030, Los Gatos, CA, USA

    P. C. Foller

  2. Department of Mineral Resources Engineering, Imperial College, Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BP, London, UK

    G. H. Kelsall

Authors
  1. P. C. Foller
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  2. G. H. Kelsall
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Foller, P.C., Kelsall, G.H. Ozone generation via the electrolysis of fluoboric acid using glassy carbon anodes and air depolarized cathodes. J Appl Electrochem 23, 996–1010 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00266121

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00266121

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