Abstract
The process of hydrogen evolution during alkaline electrolysis of aqueous solutions is governed by mass transfer, growth of hydrogen bubbles and removal of hydrogen from the cathode. Two mechanisms are decisive for hydrogen removal: (i) hydrogen dissolved in the solution is carried off from the cathode surface by diffusion and convection, and (ii) gas bubbles are transported by a two- phase flow. The paper describes experiments to determine the local concentration of dissolved hydrogen and the void fraction of hydrogen bubbles in aqueous solutions. Measurements were performed in a flow channel by varying the height of the cathode (40–400mm), the current density (up to 6250Am−2) and the mean velocity of the electrolyte (up to 0.95 m s−1). Two operating regimes of the electrolyser are found. At high current densities a back flow is observed leading to an increase in the electrolyte resistance. Traces of dissolved oxygen are detected at high current densities. At low current densities the two-phase flow is confined to a thin layer along the cathode surface, the concentration of dissolved hydrogen being small.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
L. Müller, M. Krenz and K. Rübner, Electrochim. Acta 34 (1989) 305–8.
N. Ibl, Chem. Ing. Technik 43 (1971) 202–15.
F. N. Ngoya and J. Thonstad, Electrochim. Acta 30 (1985) 1659–64.
H. F. M. Gijsbers and L. J. J. Janssen, J. Appl. Electrochem., 19 (1989) 637–48.
C. W. Tobias, J. Electrochem. Soc. 106 (1959) 833–8.
F. Hine, M. Yasuda, Y. Ogata and K. Hara, ibid. 131 (1984) 83–9.
F. Hine and K. Murakami, ibid. 128 (1981) 64–8.
Idem, ibid.127 (1980) 292–7.
F. Hine, M. Yasuda, R. Nakamura and T. Noda, ibid 122 (1975) 1185–90.
C. W. M. P. Sillen and S. J. D. van Stralen, Altern. Energy Sources 4 (1980) 357–69.
Idem, ibid.4 (1980) 119–32.
L. J. J. Janssen, J. J. M. Geeraets, E. Barendrecht and S. D. J. van Stralen, Electrochim. Acta 27 (1982) 1207–18.
L. J. J. Janssen and E. Barendrecht, ibid. 28 (1983) 341–6.
L. J. J. Janssen, C. W. M. P. Sillen, E. Barendrecht and S. J. D. van Stralen, ibid. 29 (1984) 633–42.
L. J. J. Janssen and G. J. Visser, J. Appl. Electrochem. 21 (1991) 386–94.
Idem, ibid.21 (1991) 753–9.
B. E. Bongenaar-Schlenter, E. Barendrecht, L. J. J. Janssen and S. J. D. van Stralen, DECHEMA-Monographien, Vol. 9 Verlag Chemie, Weinheim (1985), pp. 445–61.
B. E. Bongenaar-Schlenter, L. J. J. Janssen, S. J. D. van Stralen and E. Barendrecht, J. Appl. Electrochem. 15 (1985) 537–48.
B. E. Bongenaar-Schlenter, L. J. M. Konings, C. J. Smeyers, J. H. G. Verbunt, E. Barendrecht, L. J. J. Janssen, W. M. Sluyter and S. J. D. van Stralen, Eur. Com. EUR 8651 (Hydrogen Energy Carrier) (1983) pp. 206–18.
H. Vogt, Electrochim. Acta 26 (1981) 1311–17.
Idem, J. Appl. Electrochem.17 (1987) 419–26.
J. M. Bisang, ibid. 21 (1991) 760–6.
D. J. G. Ives and G. J. Janz, ‘Reference Electrodes Theory and Practice’, Academic Press, New York (1961).
H. H. Landolt and R. Börnstein, Lösungsgleichgewichte (6. Aufl.) Bd. II 2. Teil, Springer-Verlag, Berlin (1962).
H. Vogt, J. Appl. Electrochem. 23 (1993) 1323–25.
G. Kreysa and M. Kuhn, J. Appl. Electrochem. 15 (1985) 517–26.
D. A. G. Bruggemann, Analen der Physik 24 (1935) 636–79.
J. C. Maxwell, ‘A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism’. Vol. 1 (2nd edn), Clarendon Press, Oxford (1881), p. 435.
J. P. Hoare, ‘The Electrochemistry of Oxygen’, Interscience, New York (1968), p. 13–46.
A. E. Lorch, Trans. Electrochem. Soc. 60 (1936) 401–8.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Riegel, H., Mitrovic, J. & Stephan, K. Role of mass transfer on hydrogen evolution in aqueous media. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry 28, 10–17 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003285415420
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003285415420