Enhancement of Electrochemical Energy Efficiency via Process Intensification

Improvement in energy efficiency and enhanced utilisation of renewable energy sources have long been recognised as the key steps needed to address current climate change concerns. This proposal tackles one important aspect of energy conversion, namely that involves the generation of chemical products using electrical power to supply the free energy of reaction required in an electrochemical cell. This is likely to become an increasingly important step in the exploitation and storage of energy from renewable-energy sources.The work will be concentrated on the construction and characterisation of a single rotating alkaline cell for water electrolysis. Electrolyte will be supplied to the inner radius of the cell from a stationary feed pipe via a rotating union through a hollow shaft. Current will be supplied via slip rings to the electrodes. The system will operate in a 'thermostatted' enclosure supplied with electrically heated air so that a range of operating temperatures can be covered. Two electrode designs will be tested, flat discs and sintered metal fibrous structure with and without catalytic activation.