Simulation of current distribution along a planar electrode under turbulent flow conditions in a laboratory filter-press flow cell

A theoretical analysis of primary, secondary and limiting current distributions along the planar nickel electrode of a laboratory filter-press flow cell has been carried out using previous data on the reduction of Fe(CN)63− ions in an aqueous 0.1 mol dm−3 Na2CO3 electrolyte at 293 K. The primary current distribution decreased at the inlet and outlet of the cell and became uniform away from the entrance and exit. The secondary current distribution predominated along the electrode; edge effects appearing only at the corners of the electrolyte compartment. The limiting current distribution presented higher edge effects compared to those experienced under secondary current distribution due to jet flow in the inlet section of the electrolyte compartment. The limiting current density incorporated numerically calculated local flow velocities under turbulent flow conditions which were simulated by solving a Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equation, expressed in terms of turbulent viscosity and a standard turbulence model.