Conversion expressions for electrochemical reactors which operate under mass transport controlled reaction conditions. Part I: batch reactor, PFR and CSTR

Electrochemical reactors have become an established unit process for synthesis of materials and pollution control applications. Such reactors are often operated under mass transport controlled reaction conditions in order to maximise their productivity in which flow conditions in the reactor play a dominant role. We have developed a series of graphical plots that allow reactor performance to be quantified in terms of the reactant conversion for the cases of the idealised batch reactor and flow-through reactors in the single pass mode. Such plots avoid the need to integrate the material balance equations and provide useful working curves for those involved in the selection and design of electrochemical reactors, both in the laboratory and in industry.