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Modelling of gas evolving electrolysis cells. I. The gas voidage problem

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Abstract

A critical review of experimental gas voidage data for gas—liquid mixtures available in the literature yields the result that these data cannot be explained by known theories of the gas hold-up. Based on the empirical experience that bubble coalescence is hindered in electrolyte solutions, new equations are derived for the calculation of the gas voidage as a function of the superficial gas velocity by introducing a coalescence barrier model. Experimental investigations confirm the theoretical prediction of the existence of a limiting gas voidage which is a characteristic quantity of each gas—electrolyte combination.

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Abbreviations

A :

area (cm2)

α m :

minimum bubble distance (cm)

E :

energy (J)

F :

Faraday constant (A s mol−1)

G :

volumetric gas flow rate (cm3 s−1)

h :

height (cm)

L :

volumetric liquid flow rate (cm3 s−1)

p :

pressure (Pa)

R :

gas constant (J mol−1K−1)

T :

temperature (K)

u :

rise velocity (cm s−1)

u 0 :

superficial flow velocity (cm s−1)

γ :

surface tension (J cm−2)

ε :

voidage (1)

ge m :

limiting voidage (1)

X :

conductivity (S cm−1)

ν e :

number of electrons (1)

b:

bubble

g:

gas phase

l:

liquid phase

s:

single bubble

sw:

bubble swarm

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dechema-Institut, Theodor-Heuss-Allee 25, 6000, Frankfurt/Main 97, Germany

    G. Kreysa & M. Kuhn

Authors
  1. G. Kreysa
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  2. M. Kuhn
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Kreysa, G., Kuhn, M. Modelling of gas evolving electrolysis cells. I. The gas voidage problem. J Appl Electrochem 15, 517–526 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01059293

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01059293

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