Primary current distribution in a two-dimensional model cell composed of an electrode with an open part

A two-dimensional model for industrial production-type cells in which electrodes have holes for releasing gas bubbles to the back side of the electrodes and a separator located between the working- and counter-electrodes is proposed in conjunction with some geometrical parameters of the electrode and the cell. The primary current distribution in this model was calculated for a series of values of the parameters by the finite element method. The current distribution in the cell with the separator is quite different from that without the separator. Variations of the ohmic potential drop with the parameters reveal that the cell resistance is determined not only by the interelectrode distance but also by the per cent open area and in some cases by the superficial surface area. The partitions of the total current into the currents on the front, the back and the intermediate sides of the working-electrode are obtained as functions of the per cent open area and the superficial surface area. These results may be useful for estimating the performance of the electrode.Nomenclature b distance from the back wall to the back side of the working-electrode - d₁ distance between the front side of the working-electrode and the separator (or the counter electrode when cell has no separator) - d₂ width of the separator - I total current per half pitch - L length of a real electrolysis cell - n coordinate perpendicular to the boundary of the model cell - o_p per cent open area, given by Equation 1 for the present model - p pitch, i.e. twice the length of the unit cell - R equivalent unit-cell resistance defined by Equation 13 - R_t total cell resistance - r ratio of the average current density on each side of the working-electrode to that of the counter-electrode - s superficial surface area, given by Equation 2 for the present model - t thickness of the working electrode - u_k function defined by Equation 10 - test function - w width of the working electrode - x abscissa located on the cell model - y ordinate located on the cell model - d infinitesimal length on the boundary - ₁ resistivity of the solution phase - ₂ resistivity of the separator - potential - ^* potential at the working electrode - linear integration contour along I0, AH or EFDH - double integration space in the solution or the separator phase