Enhanced mass transfer using roughened rotating cylinder electrodes in turbulent flow

Abstract

Cylindrical electrodes have been roughened by machining groove patterns, pyramidal knurling, and superimposing wires and meshes for which the degree of roughness has been calculated. By rotating the electrodes in a turbulent regime, mass transfer for cathodic copper electrodeposition has been measured and the degree of consequent enhancement (relative to an equivalent smooth cylinder) calculated. Typically, the surface area has been increased by 10–40% and the mass transfer rate by 100–300% for turbulent flow defined by 7000<Re<80 000.