Modeling and Comparison of Typical Design of Filter-Press Flow Electrochemical Reactors

For scale-up and further development toward commercialization, the influences of flow manifolds on the filter-press electrochemical reactor performance are evaluated by simulations in this study. The simulations are verified by the homemade laboratory-scale reactors. The flow distribution, current distribution, electrode potential distribution, and mass transfer properties inside reactors are presented and discussed particularly. The application of a flow distributor and a turbulence promoter contributes to a homogeneous flow distribution and concentration distribution. Serpentine and parallel manifolds are not favorable for electrolysis performance. The electrolysis performances of these reactors with different flow manifolds are ordered as follows: empty channels with a flow distributor > empty channels with enlarged entrance > empty channels with a flow distributor and turbulence promoter > simple empty channels > serpentine flow > parallel flow.