The pressurized jet aerator: A new aeration system for high-performance H2O2 electrolyzers

Abstract

The transport of oxygen to the cathodic surface is a key factor in the rapid and efficient electrogeneration of H2O2. In this work, a new aeration system is presented: the pressurized jet aerator, which is characterized by the synergistic coupling of a pressurized circuit with a jet aerator. Under the same liquid flow and pressure, this aerator significantly increases the oxygen mass flow supplied to the system. At 160 dm3 h−1 and 6 bar, the aeration capacity of the setup including the jet aerator is three times greater than the pressurized system without it (21.9 vs. 7.6 g O2 h−1). The aeration capacity of the jet increases with pressure and a greater oxygen flow is aspired (5.7 vs. 14.2 g O2 h−1, at 1 and 6 bar, respectively) at the same liquid flow (160 dm3 h−1), thanks to the higher gas density. This system can also collect O2 evolved at the anode, providing up to 50% of the stoichiometric requirement, thus valorizing a by-product and reducing the energy required for pressurization. H2O2 is generated more rapidly in the proposed system than in either the jet aerator under room conditions or in the pressurized system without a jet, demonstrating the power and potential of this system to aerate high-performance H2O2 electrolyzers.