Application of an experimental design method to study the performance of electrochlorination cells

A study of the effects of some parameters on the active chlorine production from aqueous sodium chloride solutions in the hypochlorite electrochemical production cells was undertaken. These varying parameters included the anodic surface area (S-a), the ratio of anodic and cathodic surface areas (S-a/S-c), the inter-electrode gap, and the type of the cathode used. In addition, a study of the performance of some electrochemical cells that differ in the type of anodes (platinum-coated titanium, ruthenium-coated titanium, and graphite) was made. By means of the experimental design method employing a full factorial of 2(3), the effects of the most influencing parameters, the set-up of optimum conditions, and the formation of optimal concentration of active chlorine were assessed. Under the following conditions, a concentration of as high as 65.67 g/L of active chlorine was gained: ruthenium-coated titanium anode (S-a = 24 cm(2)); titanium cathode, S-a/S-c = 1.33; inter-electrode gap, 0.5 cm; current density, 3 5 A/dm(2); temperature, 20degreesC; concentration of NaCl aqueous solution, 3 M; time, 2 h.