Abstract
A computational model is presented, which enables the identification of those zones endangered by corrosion in a bipolar electrolysis cell stack. The method consists of two steps: first the potential profile in the electrolyser is computed by numerical solution of the Laplace equation using the finite difference method; then, making use of the Criss-Cobble correspondence principle, this profile is related to the potential-dependent thermodynamic stabilities of the respective metals. This may be a useful tool in the design of intermittently operating electrolysers (for example those powered by solar energy).
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Abbreviations
- A :
-
metal phase
- A i :
-
single A-phase point
- B :
-
electrolyte phase
- B i :
-
single B-phase point
- F :
-
Faraday constant
- h :
-
mesh interval (m)
- i :
-
local current density (A m−2)
- i 0 :
-
exchange current density (A m−2)
- j :
-
local current across the double layer (A)
- j iA,j iB :
-
tangential or normal component of the double layer current (A)
- K :
-
A, B phase conductivity ratio
- m :
-
molality mol kg−1
- R :
-
gas constant
- T :
-
absolute temperature (K)
- U :
-
potential (V)
- U 0 :
-
water decomposition voltage (V)
- U tot :
-
end plate potential (V)
- x, y :
-
cartesian coordinates
- α:
-
overrelaxation factor
- ηa, ηc :
-
anodic or cathodic overpotential (V)
- κA, κB :
-
electrical conductivity (Ω−1 m−1)
- Φ:
-
potential (V)
- Φm :
-
local double layer potential, electrode end (V)
- Φs :
-
local double layer potential, electrolyte end (V)
References
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Divisek, J., Jung, R. & Britz, D. Potential distribution and electrode stability in a bipolar electrolysis cell. J Appl Electrochem 20, 186–195 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01033594
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01033594