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Diffusion-controlled current distributions near cell entries and corners

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Abstract

This paper reports experimental work undertaken to explore diffusion-controlled current distributions immediately downstream of sudden changes in flow cross-sectional area such as may occur at the entry to electrochemical flow cells. Nozzle flows expanding into an axisymmetric circular duct and into a square duct have been investigated using the reduction of ferricyanide ions on nickel micro-electrodes as the electrode process. The spanwise distribution of current has also been studied for the case of the square cell where secondary corner flows are significant.

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Abbreviations

A :

electrode area (cm2)

c ∞ :

bulk concentration of transferring ions (mol dm−3)

D :

cell diameter (cm)

τD:

Diffusion coefficient (cm2s−1)

F :

Faraday number (96 486 C mol−1)

I :

limiting electrolysis current (A)

k :

mass transfer coefficient (cm s−1)

N :

nozzle diameter (cm)

u :

mean fluid velocity (cm s−1)

x :

distance downstream from point of entry to cell (cm)

z :

number of electrons exchanged

μ :

electrolyte viscosity (g s−1 cm−1)

ρ :

electrolyte density (g cm−3)

(Re)D :

duct Reynolds number,Duρ/μ

(Re)N :

nozzle Reynolds number,Nuρ/μ

(Sc):

Schmidt number,μ/ρτD)

(Sh):

Sherwood number,kD/τD)

References

  1. D. J. Tagg, A. A. Wragg and M. A. Patrick,Trans. Inst. Chem. Eng. 57 (1979) 176.

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  2. D. J. Tagg, PhD Thesis, University of Exeter (1978).

  3. J. Costello, PhD Thesis, University of Aston (1969).

  4. A. K. Runchal,Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer 14 (1971) 781.

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  5. D. J. Pickett, ‘Electrochemical Reactor Design’, Elsevier, Amsterdam (1977) p. 125 ff.

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  6. A. A. Wragg, M. A. Patrick, D. J. Tagg, R. A. Downey and A. J. Neilson,Proceedings of Euromech 90, Nancy, (1977) Paper IIIa2.

  7. N. J. Lipstein, ‘Low Velocity Sudden Expansion Pipe Flow’,Amer. Soc. Heat. Refrig. Air-Cond Eng. J. (1962) 43.

  8. M. A. Patrick, D. J. Tagg, E. A. Vallis and A. A. Wragg, paper presented at 70thAmerican Institute of Chemical Engineers Meeting, New York, November (1977).

  9. M. A. Patrick, D. J. Tagg and A. A. Wragg, to be published.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK

    A. A. Wragg, D. J. Tagg & M. A. Patrick

Authors
  1. A. A. Wragg
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  2. D. J. Tagg
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  3. M. A. Patrick
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Wragg, A.A., Tagg, D.J. & Patrick, M.A. Diffusion-controlled current distributions near cell entries and corners. J Appl Electrochem 10, 43–47 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00937336

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00937336

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