A new two-dimensional experimental apparatus for electrochemical remediation processes

Electrochemical extraction of contaminants from soils is a promising soil decontamination technology. Various experiments have been conducted to study electrochemical reactions and geochemical processes in the electrochemical extraction using different experimental apparatuses. This paper presents the development of a new closed two-dimensional(2D) apparatus that can better simulate the field application of the technology and accurately monitor the most important electrochemical parameters to understand the process. The innovative features of the new apparatus include the outer and inner electrodes designed to apply a non-uniform electrical field across the specimen as in the field electrochemical remediation process, the probes installed to measure the 2D distribution of electrical voltage, and the gas and fluid volume measurement devices used to accurately monitor the gas generation and electroosmotic flow rates at both electrodes as a function of time. The components of this new apparatus and the features of each component are described. The operating procedure and some typical results from three experiments with the apparatus are demonstrated. The results show that the variation of the gas generation rate is in good agreement with the electric current. Their relation provides a valid evaluation for electrochemical behavior of the system and Faraday's laws of electrolysis. The 2D profiles of cadmium concentration and voltage distribution at the end of the experiment reveal the great effects of a non-uniform electrical field on the contaminant mobilization.

Insight on corrosion behavior of a Cu-P-Cr-Ni steel with different Ni contents by electrochemical and periodic immersion corrosion experiments

Corrosion behavior of Cu-P-Cr-Ni weathering steels with different nickel contents was studied by periodic immersion corrosion test for 72 h.The mass loss method was used to evaluate the weatherability of weathering steel.The rust layers formed on weathering steel were characterized by scanning electron microscopy,X-ray diffraction,electron probe microanalysis,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,and electrochemical measurements.The results of periodic immersion corrosion test for 72 h showed that the mass loss rates of Cu-P-Cr-0.14Ni steel and Cu-P-Cr-0.04Ni steel were 1.57 and 1.61 g/(m^(2)h),respectively.According to the electrochemical experiment,the corrosion potentials of the two tested steels at the initial stage of corrosion were-0.6852 and-0.7037 V,respectively.With the corrosion time reaching 72 h,the corrosion potential difference between the two tested steels was gradually reduced.In the initial stage,NiO was formed in the rust layer and can dramatically promote the crystallization of corrosion products to improve the stability of the rust layer.After periodic immersion corrosion test for 72 h,Ni element had no obvious effect.At this time,it was mainly the enrichment of Cu and Cr elements in the form of CuO and Cr_(2)O_(3)in the rust layer that could further protect the matrix.

Simulation and experimental investigation on a dynamic lateral flow mode in trepanning electrochemical machining

An appropriate flow mode of electrolyte has a positive effect on process efficiency, surface roughness, and machining accuracy in the electrochemical machining（ECM） process. In this study, a new dynamic lateral flow mode, in which the electrolyte flows from the leading edge to the trailing edge, was proposed in trepanning ECM of a diffuser. Then a numerical model of the channel was set up and simulated by using computational fluid dynamics software. The result showed that the distribution of the flow field was comparatively uniform in the inter-electrode gap. Furthermore, a fixture was designed to realize this new flow mode and then corresponding experiments were carried out. The experimental results illustrated that the feeding rate of the cathode reached 2 mm/min, the best taper angle was about 0.4°, and the best surface roughness was up to Ra= 0.115 lm. It reflects that this flow mode is suitable and effective, and can also be applied to machining other complex structures in trepanning ECM.

THE EXPERIMENTAL STUDY FOR NATURAL CONVECTIVE HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER IN POROUS MEDIA

An electrochemical method is employed to study experimentally natural convection driven by combined thermal and solutal buoyant forces in a fluid-saturated porous enclosure. The horizontal temperature and concentration gradients are imposed in such a way that their effects on the flow are either opposing or augmenting. The inside temperature profiles and heat and mass transfer characteristics on the vertical walls are experimentally determined. The effects of dimensionless parameter Ra, Le, N on flow, heat and mass transfer are discussed in details.