Measurement of mass transfer coefficients with an electrochemical method using dilute electrolyte solutions

An electrochemical method for measuring mass transfer coefficients using dilute electrolyte solutions is described. Oxidation reduction potential measurements are used to determine the limiting current density. A mathematical model taking into account the diffusion and migration of the various electrolyte species was developed to evaluate the mass transfer coefficient. The range of the Sherwood numbers obtained with the present method were of the same order of magnitude as those obtained from classical mass transfer studies. The proposed method and the analytical procedure is applicable to electrochemical bioreactors where the use of excess electrolytes is not recommended.