Effect of Gas Evolution on Current Distribution and Ohmic Resistance in Electrolyzers

Abstract

Volume fraction of gases in electrolyzers increases in the direction of net movement of gases, causing a corresponding variation in the ohmic resistance between electrodes. The resulting nonuniformity in current distribution and the increase in over‐all resistance is shown to be characterized by a single dimensionless parameter which incorporates the key process variables. The leveling effect of polarization is shown to be significant.