An Analytical Model for Electrochemical Tubular Flow Reactors

This paper introduces the first analytical model designed for tubular electrochemical flow reactor, enabling a detailed examination of how reactor geometry and material selection impact performance. The model revealed that certain conditions, such as high electrode resistance relative to charge transfer, electrolyte, and separator resistance, can lead to uneven current distributions and reduced electrode utilization. The model highlights a critical electrode radius, dependent on reactor geometry and material properties, that minimizes the Area Specific Resistance (ASR) while minimizing reactor size. Additionally, it was found that the ASR increases with reactor length, but this effect can be mitigated by using highly conductive electrodes, thus allowing for enhanced power output. These insights provide a foundation for future research and the development of more efficient tubular reactor designs.