Numerical simulation of flow electrolysers: Effect of obstacles

This study aims at understanding the role the velocity profile can play in affecting the performance of the electorneutral bulk of a continuous flow electrolyser. Numerical simulations have been carried out by solving Navier-Stokes (NS) equations together with the Nernst-Planck (NP) equations. Performance of different geometries in which velocity profile has been altered by putting different types of obstacles has been evaluated. Performance of electrolysers having moving cathode has also been evaluated. Role played by inlet channel has also been investigated. The results obtained for different geometries suggest that it is possible to enhance the performance of the electroneutral bulk by putting obstacles in the flow path but this enhancement may not be very significant. An electrolyser with the cathode moving co-currently with the electrolyte is found to perform better than an electrolyser with cathode moving counter-currently with the electrolyte. Performance of an electrolyser with the inlet channel is found to be better than an electrolyser without inlet channel. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.