Numerical simulation of the current, potential and concentration distributions along the cathode of a rotating cylinder Hull cell

Abstract

Numerical simulations of the non-uniform current, potential and concentration distributions along the cathode of a rotating cylinder Hull (RCH) cell (RotaHull ® cell) are performed using finite element methods. Copper electrodeposition from an acid sulfate electrolyte is used as a test system. Primary, secondary and tertiary current distributions are examined. The importance of controllable and uniformly accessible hydrodynamics along the length of the RCH cathode is demonstrated. Charge transfer kinetics are described by a Tafel approximation while mass transport is considered using a Nernstian diffusion layer expression. The effects of applied current density and electrode rotation speeds on the distribution of potential and current along the RCH cathode are investigated. An expression of the primary current distribution and a dimensionless mass transport correlation facilitate comparisons with the simulations.