SCI和EI收录∣中国化工学会会刊

Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering ›› 2023, Vol. 59 ›› Issue (7): 169-175.DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2023.01.007

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Influence of the electrolyte conductivity on the critical current density and the breakdown voltage

Hae-Kyun Park, Dong-Hyuk Park, Bum-Jin Chung   

  1. Department of Nuclear Engineering Kyung Hee University, 1732 Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Korea
  • Received:2022-10-19 Revised:2022-12-29 Online:2023-10-14 Published:2023-07-28
  • Contact: Bum-Jin Chung,E-mail:bjchung@khu.ac.kr
  • Supported by:
    This study was sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and was supported by nuclear Research & Development program grant funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) (2021M2D1A1084838).

Influence of the electrolyte conductivity on the critical current density and the breakdown voltage

Hae-Kyun Park, Dong-Hyuk Park, Bum-Jin Chung   

  1. Department of Nuclear Engineering Kyung Hee University, 1732 Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Korea
  • 通讯作者: Bum-Jin Chung,E-mail:bjchung@khu.ac.kr
  • 基金资助:
    This study was sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and was supported by nuclear Research & Development program grant funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) (2021M2D1A1084838).

Abstract: The work investigates influence of the electrolyte conductivity on the onset of partial contact glow discharge electrolysis (CGDE) in a water electrolysis. Critical current density (CCD) and breakdown voltage were measured together with in situ observation of hydrogen bubble behavior, whose influence has not been focused on. For a fixed current during normal electrolysis, hydrogen coalescence adjacent to cathode surface was invigorated at a lower conductivity. Photographic analyses elucidated the hydrogen coalescence characteristics by quantifying size and population of detached hydrogen bubbles. The CCD increased about 104% within given range of conductivity (11.50-127.48 mS·cm-1) due to impaired bubble coalescence, which delays hydrogen film formation on the cathode. Meanwhile, decreasing trend of breakdown voltage was measured with increased conductivity showing maximum drop of 74%. It is concluded that onset of partial CGDE is directly affected by hydrodynamic bubble behaviors, whereas the electrolyte conductivity affects the bubble formation characteristics adjacent to cathode electrode.

Key words: Water electrolysis, Critical current density, Breakdown voltage, Electrolyte conductivity, Hydrogen bubble behavior

摘要: The work investigates influence of the electrolyte conductivity on the onset of partial contact glow discharge electrolysis (CGDE) in a water electrolysis. Critical current density (CCD) and breakdown voltage were measured together with in situ observation of hydrogen bubble behavior, whose influence has not been focused on. For a fixed current during normal electrolysis, hydrogen coalescence adjacent to cathode surface was invigorated at a lower conductivity. Photographic analyses elucidated the hydrogen coalescence characteristics by quantifying size and population of detached hydrogen bubbles. The CCD increased about 104% within given range of conductivity (11.50-127.48 mS·cm-1) due to impaired bubble coalescence, which delays hydrogen film formation on the cathode. Meanwhile, decreasing trend of breakdown voltage was measured with increased conductivity showing maximum drop of 74%. It is concluded that onset of partial CGDE is directly affected by hydrodynamic bubble behaviors, whereas the electrolyte conductivity affects the bubble formation characteristics adjacent to cathode electrode.

关键词: Water electrolysis, Critical current density, Breakdown voltage, Electrolyte conductivity, Hydrogen bubble behavior