Selectivity and reactor analysis for parallel electrochemical reactions

Abstract

AbstractA methodology is outlined for the analysis of multiple parallel electro‐organic reactions of arbitrary, simple electrode kinetics on solid or porous electrodes, in the absence and in the presence of slow mass transport processes. The analysis is further used to predict the selectivity and rate of two model electrochemical reactors under potentiostatic, channel plug‐flow or complete mixing. The product yield of both reactors depends strongly on the electrode potential, with reductions of low transfer coefficients favoured by positive, electrogenerative potentials. Channel flow reactors result in non‐uniform rate, current and selectivity distributions and exhibit apparent limiting currents before the onset of slow mass transport. With multipath competing reactions or in the presence of slow external transport, both reactors are amenable to maximisation of desirable product yields.