基于节能降耗的电解液流场及电解槽结构模拟仿真研究进展

Research progress on simulation of electrolyte flow field and electrolyzer structure based on energy saving and consumption reduction

电解过程中电耗占总能耗比高达50%以上,而且电解过程是多个物理场与电化学反应的耦合,影响因素复杂,目前通过对物理场和电场进行模拟仿真可以达到优化电耗的目的。本文整理了利用COMSOL Multiphysics、ANSYS对锌、铜、锰、镍等电解槽内的电解液流速场、离子浓度场、电场等多物理场进行数值模拟仿真方面的文献,并且剖析研究结果,认为电解槽上的能耗取决于槽内多物理场的分布,通过改变电解槽进液方式、阳极材料、电解槽几何形状、温度、极板间距、电极相对大小、极板放置方式等,可以影响电流效率以及能耗;利用仿真软件对电解过程进行数值模拟,能够模拟实际电解加工过程,有利于对工艺进行优化,节约成本。目前的仿真模拟主要集中在电解过程中的工艺参数、电极结构、电解槽结构、电解液流场等内部因素,在控制产品杂质、提高生产率和电流效率、改善表面质量和收集矿泥方面研究成果颇丰,但所建模型偏向理想化,未来应该更加注重与实际相结合,考虑温度、湿度、环境等因素造成的影响,提供更准确的模拟结果。

Electricity consumption in the electrolysis process accounts for more than 50%of the total energy consumption ratio,and the electrolysis process is a coupling of multiple physical fields and electrochemical reactions with complex influencing factors.Currently,simulation of physical and electric fields can achieve the purpose of optimizing electricity consumption.This paper compiles the literature on numerical simulation of multi-physics fields such as electrolyte flow rate field,ion concentration field and electric field in zinc,copper,manganese and nickel electrolytic cells using COMSOL Multiphysics and ANSYS,and analyzes the research results to conclude that the energy consumption on electrolytic cells depends on the distribution of multi-physics fields in the cells,and by changing the electrolyte feeding method,anode material,electrolyzer geometry,temperature,plate spacing,electrode size,and plate placement,the current efficiency and energy consumption can be influenced;numerical simulation of the electrolysis process using simulation software can simulate the actual electrolysis process,which can help optimize the process and save costs.The current simulation mainly focuses on internal factors such as process parameters,electrode structure,electrolyzer structure,and electrolyte flow field in the electrolysis process,and the research results are very fruitful in controlling product impurities,improving productivity and current efficiency,improving surface quality and collecting sludge.However,the model is idealized,and in the future,more attention should be paid to the integration with reality,taking into account the effects of temperature,humidity,environment and other factors,provide more accurate simulation results.