Modeling electrochemical reactions for water treatment

Many · March 15, 2017, 12:05

Dear all,

I am a beginner with FLUENT add-on module for Fuel Cells and Electrolysis.

My aim is to describe the degradation of several substances present in a water flow when electricity is added to the system.As far as I know, this is the opposite mechanism of fuel cells.

I am in the early beginning, but firs thing should be to understand which module I have to use. Is the Electrolysis model suitable for my purpose? I have read about the SOFC and PEMFC models, it seems that they are implemented for fuel cells (oxygen and hydrogen+a catalyst produces electricity and water). My process is just the inverse: I have water and an electrical current and I want to see the behaviour of several species, leading to clean water.

So can I start playing with the Electrolysis module of the add-on? Is it suitable for water liquid?

Thanks in advance and sorry for this stupid question. I have found a lot of info related to PEMFC and SOFC, but it is still unclear to me how to model the reverse process.

Best,

Many

piu58 · March 15, 2017, 16:20

Electrolysis happens at the surfaces only. The problem of the fluid flow is a secondary one. The main problem is the electrical field.

The kinetic properties of the electrode processes may be described by a single number, the polarisation parameter by Carl Wagner. This can be taken into account by a Neumann boundary condition.

A reason for taking into account the fluid flow may be the mass transport to the surface. It may be expressed by the thickness of the diffusion layer, which depends on the thickness of the Prandl layer. The maximal reaction rate is controlled by the last transport step, the diffusion.

Many · March 16, 2017, 05:07

Hi Piu58 and thank you for your reply.

I cannot conclude from your answer which of the options I mentioned (PEMFC, SOFC and Electrolysis) is the most suitable for modeling the degradation of some wastewater components due to the catalysis produced using an electrical current...

It will be really helpful to know the model I need to use in FLUENT, so I can focus on the details of this model.

All your answers will be really appreciated!

Best,

Many

March 15, 2017, 12:05	Modeling electrochemical reactions for water treatment	#1
Many Member Liam Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 40 Rep Power: 13	Dear all, I am a beginner with FLUENT add-on module for Fuel Cells and Electrolysis. My aim is to describe the degradation of several substances present in a water flow when electricity is added to the system.As far as I know, this is the opposite mechanism of fuel cells. I am in the early beginning, but firs thing should be to understand which module I have to use. Is the Electrolysis model suitable for my purpose? I have read about the SOFC and PEMFC models, it seems that they are implemented for fuel cells (oxygen and hydrogen+a catalyst produces electricity and water). My process is just the inverse: I have water and an electrical current and I want to see the behaviour of several species, leading to clean water. So can I start playing with the Electrolysis module of the add-on? Is it suitable for water liquid? Thanks in advance and sorry for this stupid question. I have found a lot of info related to PEMFC and SOFC, but it is still unclear to me how to model the reverse process. Best, Many

March 15, 2017, 16:20		#2
piu58 Senior Member Uwe Pilz Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Leipzig, Germany Posts: 744 Rep Power: 15	Electrolysis happens at the surfaces only. The problem of the fluid flow is a secondary one. The main problem is the electrical field. The kinetic properties of the electrode processes may be described by a single number, the polarisation parameter by Carl Wagner. This can be taken into account by a Neumann boundary condition. A reason for taking into account the fluid flow may be the mass transport to the surface. It may be expressed by the thickness of the diffusion layer, which depends on the thickness of the Prandl layer. The maximal reaction rate is controlled by the last transport step, the diffusion. __________________ Uwe Pilz -- Die der Hauptbewegung überlagerte Schwankungsbewegung ist in ihren Einzelheiten so hoffnungslos kompliziert, daß ihre theoretische Berechnung aussichtslos erscheint. (Hermann Schlichting, 1950)

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March 16, 2017, 05:07		#3
Many Member Liam Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 40 Rep Power: 13	Hi Piu58 and thank you for your reply. I cannot conclude from your answer which of the options I mentioned (PEMFC, SOFC and Electrolysis) is the most suitable for modeling the degradation of some wastewater components due to the catalysis produced using an electrical current... It will be really helpful to know the model I need to use in FLUENT, so I can focus on the details of this model. All your answers will be really appreciated! Best, Many