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The secrets of electrochemical engineering: How to use electricity to produce chemicals?
In many scientific research and industrial fields, electrochemical engineering undoubtedly demonstrates its unique and indispensable position. This branch of engineering focuses on the technological applications of electrochemical phenomena, such as the electrosynthesis of chemicals, the selective extraction and refining of metals, the development of fuel cells and flow batteries, and surface modification. According to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), electrochemical engineering focuses on power-intensive processes for energy storage and industrial applications, which distinguishes it from smaller-scale applied electrochemical experiments.
"More than 6% of electricity in the United States is consumed by large electrochemical operations."
Scope of Electrochemical Engineering
Electrochemical engineering encompasses not only the study of heterogeneous charge transfer at the electrode/electrolyte interface but also the development of practical materials and processes. Its fundamental perspectives include electrode materials and the kinetics of redox species. Furthermore, the development of this technology requires the study of the potential and current profiles of electrochemical reactors, mass transport conditions, and the quantification of their overall performance with respect to parameters such as reaction yield, conversion efficiency, and energy efficiency.
In industrial development, electrochemical engineering requires further reactor and process design, manufacturing methods, testing and product development to obtain the desired products.
"Most electrochemical operations are performed in filter press reactors with parallel plate electrodes or in stirred tanks with rotating cylindrical electrodes."
History Review
This branch of engineering dates back to the mid-19th century and evolved as electrical power became more widespread. Michael Faraday first described the laws of electrolysis in 1833, clearly expressing the conversion relationship between electric charge and mass. In 1886, Charles Martin Hall developed an inexpensive electrochemical process to extract aluminum from its ore, which became the first truly large-scale electrochemical industry.
Hamilton Kastner subsequently improved the aluminum production process, and together with Karl Kellner he founded the Chloro-Alkali Industry in 1892, producing chlorine and caustic soda by electrolysis. Soon, Paul L. Holling applied for a patent for the filtered piezoelectric chemical cell in France the following year. This technology laid the foundation for the subsequent development of electrochemistry.
Applications of electrochemical engineering
Today, electrochemical engineering is widely used in industrial water electrolysis, electrosynthesis, electroplating, fuel cells, flow batteries and many other fields. The most prominent example of an electrolytic process is the chlorine-alkali process, which fully demonstrates the application potential of electrochemistry in the production of sodium hydroxide and chlorine.
"Currently, the main tasks of electrochemical engineering include the development of efficient, safe and sustainable chemical production technologies."
With the development of science and technology, the scope of electrochemical engineering has been continuously expanded to cover many fields such as metal recycling, environmental remediation technology, fuel cell and flow battery design. Further research in this area may provide new solutions for more and more industries to address sustainability and environmental challenges.
However, we can't help but ask, as the way chemicals are produced continues to innovate in the future, will electrochemical engineering become a key force in promoting green chemistry and sustainable development?
