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The secret of the filter-pressure reactor: What is the core technology of industrial electrochemistry?
Electrochemical engineering, as a branch of chemical engineering, focuses on the technological applications of electrochemical phenomena, including chemical synthesis, metal extraction and refining, flow batteries and fuel cells. According to the IUPAC definition, the term electrochemical engineering refers specifically to processes that require large amounts of electrical energy in industrial or energy storage applications, and is different from applied electrochemistry, which includes small batteries, ammeter sensors and microfluidic devices.
Large-scale electrochemical operations account for more than 6% of electricity consumption in the United States.
Scope of Electrochemical Engineering
This field combines the study of heterogeneous charge transfer at electrode/electrolyte interfaces with the development of practical materials and processes. At the same time, it also includes the kinetic analysis of electrode materials and redox substances. In order to achieve technological development, the study of electrochemical reactors is particularly important, including factors such as their potential and current distribution, large-scale transport conditions and fluid mechanics, as well as quantitative evaluation of overall performance, such as reaction yield, conversion efficiency and energy efficiency.
History
Electrochemical engineering emerged gradually, in tandem with the development of chemical engineering, especially after the emergence of sources of electric power in the mid-19th century. In 1833, Michael Faraday first described the laws of electrolysis, clarifying the relationship between the amount of electric charge and the mass converted. The invention of a cheap electrolytic process to extract aluminum from ore by Charles Martin Hall in 1886 marked the beginning of a large-scale electrochemical industry.
Hamilton Kastner subsequently improved the aluminum manufacturing process and invented the production of chlorine and sodium hydroxide by lye electrolysis in large mercury batteries, effectively creating the chlorine alkali industry.
Applications of electrochemical engineering
Electrochemical engineering has a wide range of applications, including industrial water electrolysis, electrolytic synthesis, electroplating, fuel cells, flow batteries and decontamination of industrial wastewater. Among them, the chlorine-alkali process is a typical process based on electrolysis, mainly used for the production of sodium hydroxide and chlorine. There are many other inorganic chemicals that can be produced by electrolysis.
Prospects
Currently, the main tasks of electrochemical engineering are to develop efficient, safe and sustainable technologies for the production of chemicals, metal recovery, remediation and decontamination technologies, as well as the design of fuel cells, flow batteries and industrial electrochemical reactors.
How will the future of electrochemical engineering affect our lifestyle and industrial development?
