Pressure drop through platinized titanium porous electrodes for cerium‐based redox flow batteries. Issue 3 (25th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arenas, Luis F.; Ponce de León, Carlos; Walsh, Frank C.
• Is Part Of: AIChE journal. Volume 64:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 1135
• Page End: 1146
• Publication Date: 2017-10-25
• Subjects: cerium -- electrochemical flow reactor -- platinized titanium -- porous electrode -- pressure drop -- redox flow battery; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Génie chimique -- Périodiques; 660.28
• DOI: 10.1002/aic.16000
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-1541

Abstract

Abstract : The pressure drop, Δ P, across a redox flow battery is linked to pumping costs and energy efficiency, making fluid properties of the electrolyte important in scale‐up operations. The Δ P at diverse platinized titanium electrodes in Ce‐based redox flow batteries is reported as a function of mean linear electrolyte velocity measured in a rectangular channel flow cell. Darcy's friction factor and permeability vs. Reynolds number are calculated. Average permeability values are: 7.10 × 10 −4 cm 2 for Pt/Ti mesh, 4.45 × 10 −4 cm 2 for Pt/Ti plate + turbulence promoters, 1.67 × 10 −5 cm 2 for Pt/Ti micromesh, and 1.31 × 10 −6 cm 2 for Pt/Ti felt. The electrochemical volumetric mass transport coefficient, k m A e, is provided as a function of Δ P . In the flow‐by configuration, Pt/Ti felt combines high k m A e values with a relatively high Δ P, followed by Pt/Ti micromesh. Pt/Ti mesh and Pt/Ti plate gave a lower Δ P but poorer electrochemical performance. Implications for cell design are discussed. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 1135–1146, 2018