Review-Mathematical Formulations of Electrochemically Gas-Evolving Systems

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Multiphase Flow
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Electrochemical gas-evolving systems are crucial for applications like alkaline water electrolysis and hydrogen production.
• Accurate modeling requires understanding complex phenomena including electron transfer, chemical reactions, thermodynamics, hydrodynamics, and bubble dynamics.
• The presence and behavior of bubbles significantly impact system performance and reaction rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of mathematical models governing the physicochemical life cycle of bubbles in electrolytic media.
• To analyze and compare prevailing mathematical formulations for each bubble life cycle phase.
• To highlight the impact of bubble dynamics on electrochemical system performance.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of governing mathematical models for bubble nucleation, growth, and detachment.
• Multiscale and multiphysics analysis of bubble behavior in electrochemical systems.
• Comparison of different modeling approaches focusing on physicochemical processes.

Main Results:

• Identification of key mathematical models for each stage of the bubble life cycle (nucleation, growth, detachment).
• Analysis of how bubble dynamics influence mass transfer and reaction rates.
• Compilation of the current state-of-the-art in bubble modeling for gas-evolving electrochemical systems.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive understanding of bubble dynamics is essential for optimizing electrochemical gas-evolving systems.
• The reviewed models provide a foundation for developing high-fidelity simulations.
• Further research can build upon this compilation to advance system design and efficiency.