EFFECT OF AN INDIFFERENT ELECTROLYTE ON THE RAYLEIGH-BENARD INSTABILITY IN ELECTROCHEMICAL SYSTEMS

The Rayleigh-Benard instability, induced by a direct current passing b etween two horizontal plane parallel electrodes in a solution containi ng electroactive ions and an indifferent electrolyte, is considered. I t is assumed that the electrochemical reaction proceeds under transpor t limitations. Participation of all solution components in the formati on of the buoyancy forces and migration transfer of the indifferent el ectrolyte are taken into account. At first, a steady-state solution of the problem is found (as a series in a small parameter); then, a set of equations for small perturbations that determine the stability boun dary is solved by Galerkin's method. The dependence of the Rayleigh cr itical number on a mass coefficient and concentration of indifferent e lectrolyte is found.