Novel multiscale approach to transort phenomena in electrochemical processes (MUTECH)

The aim of this project is to develop and demonstrate a general applicable methodology that allows the prediction of local parameters of complex electrochemical processes at microscale and to correlate these parameters with properties of the product surface or deposit (nanoscale), based on the global process parameters (macro- mesoscale) and this on lab and full industrial scale. This will be achieved by a close interaction between innovative numerical simulations and experimental investigations and through validation of the simulation tools and experimental techniques on a high throughput continuous industrial process. To this avail, a strong multidisplinary academic team has been assembled with a background in both modelling and electrochemical and fluid flow experimentation together with a strong industrial R&D team of two leading companies that will bring into the process knowledge on full industrial scale and their industrial experimentation environment.
This will lead to:
• New quantified models for turbulent heat, ionic mass and gas transport in electrochemical reactors
• New numerical tools to solve these models in industrially relevant configuration
• Fundamental understanding of the influence of turbulence on heat and mass transfer
• Fundamental understanding of the influence of gas evolution on heat & mass transfer
• New measurements techniques on a microscale (bubble size, concentration profiles, …)
• Validation of the developed methodology on two industrially relevant cases. This will also indicate the limits of applicability of the proposed models.