Computer-aided design and experimental application of a novel electrochemical cell: The confluence reactor

A new electrochemical device is reported based on the confluence of two streams of solution. This confluence reactor was designed using finite element simulations to establish the cell geometry and solution velocities appropriate to maintain well-defined hydrodynamic conditions. Computational data is presented to illustrate the flexibility of the tool for the investigation of chemical reaction mechanisms. Experimental studies are presented which examine the relationship between reactant solution velocities and electrolysis current. Excellent agreement is noted between the computational predictions and experimental results. The confluence reactor is shown to be an easy-to-construct, cheap, and simple tool that will offer significant benefits to the exploration of chemical and electrochemical processes. The potential applications of the reactor are noted.