Microfluidics-based pH-differential reactor for CO2 utilization: A mathematical study

Xu Lu, Dennis Y. C. Leung, Huizhi Wang, Jin Xuan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper reports a mathematical model for calculating various losses in a pH differential microfluidic electrolytic cell (PMEC) for CO2 to formic acid conversion. The microfluidic characteristics of the cell were examined, and in respect of electro-chemical equilibrium states, major limiting factors such as mass transfer constraints, kinetic losses and overpotentials, were considered and acid-base interface and neutralisation losses therein identified. Losses of electrical resistance on electrodes and within micro-channels were quantified, and computational results were validated against previous experimental data. To the best of our knowledge, the model is the first for determining dual electrolyte arrangements and associated losses and can be used to develop parametric optimisation strategies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)525-532
Number of pages8
JournalApplied Energy
Volume227
Early online date25 Aug 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2018

Keywords

  • CO conversion
  • Electrochemistry
  • Microfluidics
  • Modelling
  • PH-differential

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • General Energy

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