A MATHEMATICAL-MODEL OF IONIC TRANSPORT IN A POROUS DIAPHRAGM OF A CHROME-ALUM CELL

A model of the homogeneous chemistry and transport processes within th e separator of a chrome-alum electrowinning cell is introduced, discus sed, and compared to experiment. The influences of diffusion, electrom igration, and convection are included; it is found that convection was the dominant mode of transport for the experimental conditions. Simul ation results explain experimental observations concerning an apparent disappearance of dichromate ions produced at the cell anode. The rela tion between potential drop across the diaphragm and the current and f luid flow is also illustrated. The model is used to recommend future e xperimental and theoretical work.