Flow-through and flow-by porous electrodes of nickel foam Part III: theoretical electrode potential distribution in the flow-by configuration

This paper deals with the theoretical potential distribution within a flow-by parallelepipedic porous electrode operating in limiting current conditions in a two-compartment electrolytic cell. The model takes into account the influence of the counter-electrode polarization and of the separator ohmic resistance. The results show that the design of the porous electrode requires the knowledge of the solution potential distribution within the whole cell volume.Nomenclature a _c specific surface area per unit volume of electrode - C ₀ entrance concentration (y=0) - C _s exit concentration (y=y ₀) - E electrode potential (= _M – _S ) - E _o equilibrium electrode potential - F Faraday number - i current density - mean mass transfer coefficient - K parameter a _ea zFi _oa/(_a RT)]^1/2 - L porous electrode thickness - n number of terms in Fourier serials - P specific productivity - Q volumetric flow-rate - mean flow velocity based on empty channel - V constant potential - V _R electrode volume - x thickness variable - X conversion - y length variable - y ₀ porous electrode length - z number of electrons in the electrochemical reaction Greek symbols parameter - parameter - ionic electrolyte conductivity in pores - _S solution potential - _M matrix potential ( _M = constant) - parameter =n/y ₀ - parameter =+K] - overpotential Suffices a anodic - c cathodic - eq equilibrium - s separator - S solution