Two-Phase Flow Modeling of Copper Electrowinning Using Bubbly Flow
Application ID: 75111
Copper electrowinning is the process of copper extraction from an electrolyte solution and its deposition at the cathode surface, by passing an external current through the electrolytic cell and using an insoluble anode. During the process, oxygen bubbles are generated at the anode surface leading to a large recirculation zone between anode and cathode surfaces, which requires two-phase flow modeling.
In the present model, charge and mass transports of ionic species are modeled using Tertiary Current Distribution, Nernst-Planck interface and the two-phase flow generated due to oxygen gas evolution at the anode surface is modeled using Bubbly Flow, Laminar Flow interface. The effect of two-phase flow on copper electrodeposition is demonstrated in the model.
This model example illustrates applications of this type that would nominally be built using the following products:
however, additional products may be required to completely define and model it. Furthermore, this example may also be defined and modeled using components from the following product combinations:
- COMSOL Multiphysics® et
- soit le Module CFD, ou Module Fuel Cell & Electrolyzer et
- soit le Module Battery Design, Module Corrosion, Module Electrochemistry, Module Electrodeposition, ou Module Fuel Cell & Electrolyzer
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