STUDIES OF SPACE-AVERAGED MASS-TRANSPORT IN THE FM01-LC LABORATORY ELECTROLYZER

Measurements of the mass transport limited current for the reduction of ferricyanide in 1 M potassium hydroxide and of copper(II) in 1.5 M sulphuric acid as a function of electrolyte flow rate are used to characterize the space-averaged mass transport properties of the FM01 laboratory electrolyser, with and without six types of polymer mesh turbulence promoters. In the absence of a promoter, the results followed the equation Sh = 0.22 Re0.71 Sc0.33 for 200 < Re < 1000 For the cell with the preferred turbulence promoter, the corresponding equation is Sh = 0.74 Re0.62 Sc0.33 for 200 < Re < 1000 Pressure drop data are also reported and it is confirmed that the presence of a turbulence promoter need not lead to a significant increase in the pressure drop over the reactor.