Analysis Based on Boundary Layer Theory of Natural Convection near Electrodes

In an electrolysis tank where electrorefining or electrowinning is performed, differences in the local density of the electrolyte due to variations in ion concentration bring about natural convection near each electrode. This natural convection affects the supply of metal ions from the bulk solution...

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Main Authors: Hideaki SASAKI, Takumi TAKAICHI
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Mining and Materials Processing Institute of Japan 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of MMIJ
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Online Access:https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/journalofmmij/140/12/140_MMIJ-2024-008/_pdf/-char/en
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author Hideaki SASAKI
Takumi TAKAICHI
author_facet Hideaki SASAKI
Takumi TAKAICHI
author_sort Hideaki SASAKI
collection DOAJ
description In an electrolysis tank where electrorefining or electrowinning is performed, differences in the local density of the electrolyte due to variations in ion concentration bring about natural convection near each electrode. This natural convection affects the supply of metal ions from the bulk solution to the cathode surface and the movement of ionic species generated at the anode surface. This paper describes calculation methods that are based on boundary layer theory and have been proposed in the past to analyze natural convection caused by the ion concentration distribution in an electrolyte. The boundary layer theory makes it possible to understand the diffusion-limited current density at the cathode by linking it to the concentration of metal ions in the electrolytic bath and the physical properties of the electrolyte. First, we introduce a method of converting the boundary layer equations from partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations using similarity variables, and then derive theoretical formula for the flow velocity of natural convection and the diffusion-limited current density at the cathode with the help of numerical calculations. Furthermore, we derive a formula for estimating the diffusion-limiting current density from the size of the electrode and the physical properties of the electrolyte using dimensional analysis, which is widely used in fluid mechanics. Next, we will explain the von Kármán-Pohlhausen integration method as another approach for analyzing the flow velocity of natural convection and current density distribution. Experimental methods for observing the boundary layer and a calculation model improved for application to electrolysis at current densities below the diffusion limit are also presented.
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issn 1881-6118
1884-0450
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publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher The Mining and Materials Processing Institute of Japan
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spelling doaj-art-296565db9765450eb5463f577a8908d52025-08-20T02:08:14ZengThe Mining and Materials Processing Institute of JapanJournal of MMIJ1881-61181884-04502024-12-011401217018210.2473/journalofmmij.MMIJ-2024-008journalofmmijAnalysis Based on Boundary Layer Theory of Natural Convection near ElectrodesHideaki SASAKI0Takumi TAKAICHI1Materials Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime UniversityMaterials Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime UniversityIn an electrolysis tank where electrorefining or electrowinning is performed, differences in the local density of the electrolyte due to variations in ion concentration bring about natural convection near each electrode. This natural convection affects the supply of metal ions from the bulk solution to the cathode surface and the movement of ionic species generated at the anode surface. This paper describes calculation methods that are based on boundary layer theory and have been proposed in the past to analyze natural convection caused by the ion concentration distribution in an electrolyte. The boundary layer theory makes it possible to understand the diffusion-limited current density at the cathode by linking it to the concentration of metal ions in the electrolytic bath and the physical properties of the electrolyte. First, we introduce a method of converting the boundary layer equations from partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations using similarity variables, and then derive theoretical formula for the flow velocity of natural convection and the diffusion-limited current density at the cathode with the help of numerical calculations. Furthermore, we derive a formula for estimating the diffusion-limiting current density from the size of the electrode and the physical properties of the electrolyte using dimensional analysis, which is widely used in fluid mechanics. Next, we will explain the von Kármán-Pohlhausen integration method as another approach for analyzing the flow velocity of natural convection and current density distribution. Experimental methods for observing the boundary layer and a calculation model improved for application to electrolysis at current densities below the diffusion limit are also presented.https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/journalofmmij/140/12/140_MMIJ-2024-008/_pdf/-char/enelectrolysishydrodynamicsnatural convectionboundary layerdimension analysis
spellingShingle Hideaki SASAKI
Takumi TAKAICHI
Analysis Based on Boundary Layer Theory of Natural Convection near Electrodes
Journal of MMIJ
electrolysis
hydrodynamics
natural convection
boundary layer
dimension analysis
title Analysis Based on Boundary Layer Theory of Natural Convection near Electrodes
title_full Analysis Based on Boundary Layer Theory of Natural Convection near Electrodes
title_fullStr Analysis Based on Boundary Layer Theory of Natural Convection near Electrodes
title_full_unstemmed Analysis Based on Boundary Layer Theory of Natural Convection near Electrodes
title_short Analysis Based on Boundary Layer Theory of Natural Convection near Electrodes
title_sort analysis based on boundary layer theory of natural convection near electrodes
topic electrolysis
hydrodynamics
natural convection
boundary layer
dimension analysis
url https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/journalofmmij/140/12/140_MMIJ-2024-008/_pdf/-char/en
work_keys_str_mv AT hideakisasaki analysisbasedonboundarylayertheoryofnaturalconvectionnearelectrodes
AT takumitakaichi analysisbasedonboundarylayertheoryofnaturalconvectionnearelectrodes