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Electrochemical mass transfer measurements in a Y ‐bifurcation model
Author(s) -
Mahinpey Nader,
Ojha Matadial,
Johnston K. Wayne,
Trass Olev
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
the canadian journal of chemical engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1939-019X
pISSN - 0008-4034
DOI - 10.1002/cjce.5450780507
Subject(s) - laminar flow , boundary layer , mass transfer , reynolds number , mechanics , mass transfer coefficient , turbulence , bifurcation , anode , materials science , flow separation , flow (mathematics) , thermodynamics , chemistry , physics , electrode , nonlinear system , quantum mechanics
Abstract A novel technique was used to fabricate nickel flow models of a straight pipe and a Y ‐bifurcation. These were used to obtain integral mass transfer coefficients by the electrochemical technique. For the straight pipe, good agreement was obtained with previously reported mass transfer correlations. The use of an upstream anode in addition to the downstream anode led to higher mass transfer at the cathode with laminar flow because of the additional near‐wall ions produced by the upstream anode. With increasing Schmidt number, the effect of transition from laminar to turbulent flow on mass transfer was delayed to progressively higher Reynolds numbers because of the reduced mass transfer boundary layer thickness relative to the viscous sublayer. With the Y ‐bifurcation, possible flow separation and the formation of a new mass transfer boundary layer in the daughter branches significantly influence the mass transfer behaviour.