Modeling and Comparison of Typical Design of Filter-Press Flow Electrochemical Reactors

Abstract

For scale-up and further development toward commercialization, the influences of flow manifolds on the filterpress electrochemical reactor performance are evaluated by simulations in this study. The simulations are verified by the homemade laboratory-scale reactors. The flow distribution, current distribution, electrode potential distribution, and mass transfer properties inside reactors are presented and discussed particularly. The application of a flow distributor and a turbulence promoter contributes to a homogeneous flow distribution and concentration distribution. Serpentine and parallel manifolds are not favorable for electrolysis performance. The electrolysis performances of these reactors with different flow manifolds are ordered as follows: empty channels with a flow distributor > empty channels with enlarged entrance > empty channels with a flow distributor and turbulence promoter > simple empty channels > serpentine flow > parallel flow.