Understanding the spatial mass transfer behaviour of a pulsating jet HMV system – Vortex generation and characterisation

The flow patterns generated by a pulsating jet used to study hydrodynamic modulated voltammetry (HMV) are investigated. It is shown that the pronounced edge effect reported previously is the result of the generation of a vortex ring from the pulsating jet. This vortex behaviour of the pulsating jet system is imaged using a number of visualisation techniques. These include a dye system and an electrochemically generated bubble stream. In each case a toroidal vortex ring was observed. Image analysis revealed that the velocity of this motion was of the order of 250 mm s−1 with a corresponding Reynolds number of the order of 1200. This motion, in conjunction with the electrode structure, is used to explain the strong ‘ring and halo’ features detected by electrochemical mapping of the system reported previously.

► High-speed images of the flow generated from a pulsating jet used to study HMV are shown. ► Dye solutions or bubble tracers show the flow under different conditions. ► A repetitive vortex is studied as it moves through the fluid and onto an electrode surface. ► This vortex, and its characteristics, produces the spatial mass transfer pattern observed.