YCES

ELECTROCHEMICAL ENGINEERING

The Electrochemical Engineering Workshop addresses the principles and operation of electrochemical processes and devices providing the scientific and engineering methodology required for their rational analysis and design.

Linking engineering and chemistry, the workshop is designed for participants from all engineering and physical sciences disciplines. Classical electrochemistry, electrochemical thermodynamics and electrode kinetics are reviewed, emphasizing engineering considerations, non-equilibrium processes and overpotentials. Special attention is given to the role of transport in electrochemical systems. The combined effects of transport by diffusion, migration, and convection, coupled with electrode kinetics are treated quantitatively. Current distribution and overpotentials, fluid flow interactions in free and forced convection, and analysis of reactions on porous electrodes are discussed. Criteria for scale-up from laboratory models to industrial processes are developed. Economic analysis, optimization procedures and materials selection consideration are included.

Familiarity with the electrochemical industry is acquired through studying the general principles within the context of industrially relevant processes:

1. Electroplating, electropolishing and electromachining.
2. Energy conversion devices: batteries and fuel cells.
3. Industrial electrolysis: chlor-alkali, electrowinning and electrorefining industries including aluminum and copper.
4. Corrosion and corrosion protection.

Emphasis is placed on quantitatively solving practical problems. In addition to classroom case studies, illustrative problems are presented for solution, review and discussion. Relevant practical problems suggested by workshop participants are discussed in special evening sessions.

Computer implemented algorithms for modeling and simulation of electrochemical cells are presented. Workshop participants use the software in computer laboratory sessions for solving practical comprehensive problems.

Workshop participants will have the opportunity to participate in a tour of the electrochemical laboratories at Case and schedule individual meetings with Case faculty (subject to availability).

All the workshop material is covered by detailed notes distributed to participants.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The workshop is intended for scientists and engineers from all disciplines who want to gain familiarity and understanding of electrochemical processes and acquire working knowledge of the engineering principles underlying the operation of electrochemical systems.

SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON BATTERY AND FUEL-CELL DESIGN AND OPERATION

Enhanced discussions on batteries and fuel-cell design and operation are incorporated into the course. Dr. Ralph Brodd, as a guess lecturer, will present an overview on batteries emphasizing state-of-the-art developments, principles of battery design and operation.

Professor Robert Savinell, an internationally recognized leader in fuel-cell research, will review the state of the art fuel-cell technology and discuss pending developments.

PAST EXPERIENCE

The workshop is offered for the nineteenth time. Some of the verbatim comments of previous participants from industry, government laboratories and academia:

• "Excellent, felt course helped to crystallize concepts and ideas."
• "Very valuable, I would recommend this course to others."
• "Got a feel for the things engineers are concerned with."
• "Concise, and very helpful as a refresher course for me. It has acted as a catalyst to start thinking of some research areas."
• "As a whole, I gained a great deal of valuable insight. Perhaps now I will be able to understand the basics of problems which I confront."
• "Very valuable from my standpoint, which never included formal electrochemistry study."

CONTENT

1. Scope and fundamentals
1. Scope and overview of electrochemical processes and their engineering design.
2. Electrochemical cells-components and function. Uniqueness, advantages, and peculiarities.
3. Conduction mechanisms in metals, semiconductors, and electrolytes (including: non-aqueous solvents, molten salts and membranes). Conduction in heterogeneous media.
4. Transport processes in electrochemical cells-diffusion, migration and convection.
5. Thermodynamics of electrochemical systems (including: Pourbaix diagrams and junction potentials).
6. The structure of the electrochemical interface (double layer structure, adsorption, and underpotential deposition).
7. Irreversible electrode process-activation, concentration and ohmic overpotential at polarized electrodes.
2. Current Distribution and Mass Transport
1. Primary current distribution-potential control.
2. Secondary current distribution at polarized electrodes.
3. Tertiary current distribution.
4. Current distribution under mass transport control.
3. Current Distribution and Mass Transport-Practical Applications
1. Current distribution under mixed control-numerical solutions.
2. Ionic mass transport under free and forced convection. Laminar and turbulent flow, gas sparging, agitation.
3. Transients and unsteady-state effects, pulse applications.
4. Bi-polar and resistive electrodes.
5. Gas evolving electrodes-effects on resistivity and current distribution.
6. Porous electrodes and fluidized electrodes-mass transport and current distribution in flooded and gas contacting electrodes.
4. Analysis, Design and Scale-Up
1. Scale-up and scale-down of electrochemical systems.
2. Electrodes and cell configurations (including mono and bipolar, grids, porous, slurry and fluidized electrodes).
3. Economic considerations and optimization.
4. Experimental techniques and procedures for the analysis of operating cells.
5. Battery and Fuel-Cell Design and Operation
1. Overview of batteries and fuel cells.
2. Principles of battery design and operation.
3. Fuel cell-modeling and engineering design considerations.
6. Industrial Electrolytic Processes and Applications
1. Electroplating, electromachining and electropolishing.
2. Electrolysis.
3. Electrowinning and refining.
4. Corrosion.

TENTATIVE WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

A continental breakfast and lunches will be provided each day during the week. Additionally, an informal banquet is scheduled for Tuesday evening in a local restaurant.

PRINCIPAL INSTRUCTOR

UZIEL LANDAU

• Professor of Chemical Engineering, Case, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley.
• Research Interest: electrochemical engineering, electrochemical cell and process design, electrodeposition and dissolution, batteries and fuel cells.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTORS

RALPH J. BRODD

• President, Broddarp of Nevada, Adjunct Professor of Chemistry, Michigan Technological University, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin.
• Research Interest: polymer batteries, battery design and operation.

JOE H. PAYER

• Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Case; Former Director of The Ernest B. Yeager Center for Electrochemical Sciences (YCES); Ph.D., Ohio State University.
• Research Interests: corrosion, hydrogen permeation and storage, adhesion, coating, reliability, materials selection.

ROBERT F. SAVINELL

• Dean of the School of Engineering & Professor of Chemical Engineering, Case; former Director of YCES; Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh.
• Research Interests: electrochemical engineering, electrochemical reactor design, electrochemical synthesis, sensors, batteries and fuel cells.

DANIEL A. SCHERSON

• Professor of Chemistry, Case; Director of YCES; Ph.D., University of California, Davis.
• Research Interests: In situ spectroscopy, electrocatalysis, electrochemical energy conversion and energy storage.