Design parameters for an electrochemical cell with porous electrode to treat metal-ion solution

An electrochemical reactor was designed and operated to treat the solution containing copper ions. Design parameters for the electrochemical reactor u sing the porous cathode and RuO2/IrO2/Ti anode were investigated. The porou s cathode was prepared by the electroless nickel deposition on polyurethane . The apparent current, the gap between cathode and anode, and hydraulic re tention time (HRT) were selected as design parameters. The copper removal r ate increased with an increase in apparent current. It was not affected by the gap between the cathode and the anode. A reduction in hydraulic retenti on time stimulated the mass transfer toward the electrode and increased the cathodic current efficiency. Dimensional analysis was conducted to obtain the design equation for scale-up of the electrochemical reactor. The depend ence of Sh on Re, Sc, and characteristic lengths, D-C/A/L and D-W/C/L, was described in the form of a power series. The coefficients were obtained fro m experimental data. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.