Steps, hops and turns: examining the effects of channel shapes on mass transfer in continuous electrochemical reactors

Due to the heterogenous nature of electrochemical reactions, mass transport is an important consideration during reaction and reactor development. The effect of different flow channel geometries on mass transfer between wall and solution within a continuous electrochemical reactor has been investigated using experimental studies and computational fluid dynamics. The channel shape is shown to have modest impact on the mass transfer coefficient. However, the reaction solution hopping from one side of an electrode to the other, so switching polarity mid-flow, has the greatest effect.