Operational and Performance Optimisation of an Expanded Area Diaphragm Cell

  • B. A. Olufemi Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
  • A. J. Kehinde
  • O. Ogboja
Keywords: ANOVA, Caustic soda, efficiency, electrochemical cell, modelling.

Abstract

The basic parameters and relevant design criteria needed for the optimisation of any electrochemical cell operation were identified and applied in this work. Experimental studies, modelling, simulation, analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni-Holm Posthoc statistical parametric test and performance characterisation were carried out with a Sliding Cathode Diaphragm Cell (SCDC). An Expanded Area Diaphragm Cell (EADC) was later used to evaluate improved electrolytic cell operating characteristics, performance and productivity optimisation based on inferences from the SCDC operation. The operational voltage, height of anolyte and electrode areas were the parameters carefully varied for the SCDC operation. Well established inferential results from the SCDC with good insight into the production of caustic soda, prompted the theoretical optimization, fabrication and optimum operation of the EADC with output and performance that compared favourably with some industrial cells. With the operation of the EADC at close numerically estimated optimised values, the EADC current efficiency was improved over that of the SCDC to a value of 95%. The outcome of the work could further pave way for the design of more improved electrolytic cell types and/or methodology.

References

Alkire, R. C and Stadtherr, M., (1983). Optimisation of Electrolytic Cells and Processes, AIChE Symposium Series, 229 (79): 135-141.
Delfrate, A. and Schmitt, C., (2010). Integration of Fuel Cells Systems into Chlor Alkali Plants: The Chlorine Industry Perspective, Proceedings of the 18th World Hydrogen Energy Conference 2010 - WHEC 2010, 427 – 432.
Jalali, A. A., F. Mohammadi, F., and Ashrafizadeh, S. N., (2009). Effects of process conditions on cell voltage, current efficiency and voltage balance of a chlor-alkali membrane cell, Desalination, 237(1-3):126 – 139.
Joudaki, E., Farzami, F., Mahdavi, V. and Hashemi, S. J. (2010). Performance Evaluation of Oxygen-Depolarized Cathode with PtPd/C Electrocatalyst Layer in Advanced Chlor-Alkali Cell. Chem. Eng. Technol., 33: 1525–1530.
Joudaki, E., Hashemi, S. J., Mohammadi, F., Yousefi, A. and Eivazkhani, M. (2011). Oxygen reduction electrode in advanced chlor-alkali with ruthenium as electro-catalyst., Can. J. Chem. Eng., 89: 197–201.
Keating, K. B. and Sutlic, V. D., (1979). The Cost of Electrochemical Cells, AIChE Symposium Series, 185 (75): 76-88.
Published
2019-02-28
How to Cite
Olufemi, B. A., Kehinde, A. J., & Ogboja, O. (2019). Operational and Performance Optimisation of an Expanded Area Diaphragm Cell. Journal of Engineering Research, 21(1), 41-52. Retrieved from http://jer.unilag.edu.ng/article/view/285