Editors' Choice - Critical Review - The Bipolar Trickle Tower Reactor: Concept, Development and Applications
Editors' Choice - Critical Review - The Bipolar Trickle Tower Reactor: Concept, Development and Applications
The concept of a trickle tower, using ordered bipolar electrode elements stacked in (10 to 80) similar layers
of porous, 3D electrodes separated by insulating separator meshes is described and key features of
electrochemical reactors based on the bipolar trickle tower reactor (BTTR) geometry are reviewed. Fluid flow,
mass transfer, active area and bypass current are considered in detail, since they affect the reaction
environment. Modified reactor designs have resulted from the process of electrode selection and tower
construction. The performance of BTTRs is illustrated by examples from laboratory and industry, including
electrosynthesis and environmental treatment. Experimental data are used to rationalise reaction environment
and simulate performance. Operational factors such as electrolyte flow, mass transport rates and volumetric
electrode area are highlighted as important factors in achieving high efficiency; minimisation of internal
bypass currents is critical. Developments have enabled improvements in reactor construction and a wider
choice of electrode material. Future R & D needs are highlighted.
bipolar electrode, three-dimensional electrode, cell design, electrode material, reaction environment
Walsh, Frank
309528e7-062e-439b-af40-9309bc91efb2
Arenas Martinez, Luis Fernando
6e7e3d10-2aab-4fc3-a6d4-63a6614d0403
Ponce De Leon Albarran, Carlos
508a312e-75ff-4bcb-9151-dacc424d755c
9 February 2021
Walsh, Frank
309528e7-062e-439b-af40-9309bc91efb2
Arenas Martinez, Luis Fernando
6e7e3d10-2aab-4fc3-a6d4-63a6614d0403
Ponce De Leon Albarran, Carlos
508a312e-75ff-4bcb-9151-dacc424d755c
Walsh, Frank, Arenas Martinez, Luis Fernando and Ponce De Leon Albarran, Carlos
(2021)
Editors' Choice - Critical Review - The Bipolar Trickle Tower Reactor: Concept, Development and Applications.
Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 168 (2), [023503].
(doi:10.1149/1945-7111/abdd7a).
Abstract
The concept of a trickle tower, using ordered bipolar electrode elements stacked in (10 to 80) similar layers
of porous, 3D electrodes separated by insulating separator meshes is described and key features of
electrochemical reactors based on the bipolar trickle tower reactor (BTTR) geometry are reviewed. Fluid flow,
mass transfer, active area and bypass current are considered in detail, since they affect the reaction
environment. Modified reactor designs have resulted from the process of electrode selection and tower
construction. The performance of BTTRs is illustrated by examples from laboratory and industry, including
electrosynthesis and environmental treatment. Experimental data are used to rationalise reaction environment
and simulate performance. Operational factors such as electrolyte flow, mass transport rates and volumetric
electrode area are highlighted as important factors in achieving high efficiency; minimisation of internal
bypass currents is critical. Developments have enabled improvements in reactor construction and a wider
choice of electrode material. Future R & D needs are highlighted.
Text
BTTR Review Walsh et al. 13-11-2020 PURE pre-corrections
- Accepted Manuscript
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 18 January 2021
e-pub ahead of print date: 9 February 2021
Published date: 9 February 2021
Additional Information:
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Author(s). Published on behalf of The Electrochemical Society by IOP Publishing Limited.
Keywords:
bipolar electrode, three-dimensional electrode, cell design, electrode material, reaction environment
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 446713
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/446713
ISSN: 0013-4651
PURE UUID: 7c9cf2bc-30cf-4cb5-98f1-eeb9e1eeefef
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Date deposited: 18 Feb 2021 17:33
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 03:01
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