Electrochemistry Module

Improved Usability of Chemical Reactions in Porous Media

The Reactions source term in the Transport of Diluted Species in Porous Media interfaces now provides the following options to account for the reacting volume base for saturated and unsaturated porous media:

  • Total volume
  • Pore volume
  • Liquid phase
  • Gas phase

Using literature data for kinetic expressions is thereby simpler and less error prone, since they can be tabulated for different volume bases.

You can now select the proper reaction relation as the basis for the reaction rate expression. In this case, reaction per total pore volume is selected. You can now select the proper reaction relation as the basis for the reaction rate expression. In this case, reaction per total pore volume is selected.

You can now select the proper reaction relation as the basis for the reaction rate expression. In this case, reaction per total pore volume is selected.

Improved Convergence and Stability Through Current Distribution Initialization Step and New Studies in Electrochemical Interfaces

Many electrochemical models require properly derived initial values to achieve convergence or even to get a time-dependent solver to work. The new Stationary with Initialization and Time-dependent with Initialization studies are now available for all electrochemistry interfaces, with the use of a Current Distribution Initialization study step. These new studies facilitate solving electrochemical models with nonlinear kinetics.

The improved Current Distribution Initialization study step. The improved Current Distribution Initialization study step.

The improved Current Distribution Initialization study step.

Cross Sectional Area

A new property, Cross Sectional Area, is now available in 1D models for the Electrochemistry interface. With this feature, the cell area can be specified and the total cell current can be calculated. Additionally, the boundary features Electrolyte Current and Electrode Current are now available in 1D.

Point and Line Current Sources for Efficient Electrode Modeling

For large problems with complex geometries, it is often not possible to geometrically resolve all parts of the geometry. If a small electrode is used to provide a current source, it may suffice to "inject" the current source at a point in the geometry, rather than to create the electrode boundary and provide the electrode current as a proper boundary condition. With the Point and Line Current Source features in the Primary and Secondary Current Distribution interfaces, it is possible to apply a current source at a point in 2D, 2D axisymmetric, and 3D geometries.

The figure illustrates a point and line current source applied in a simple 3D geometry. The figure illustrates a point and line current source applied in a simple 3D geometry.

The figure illustrates a point and line current source applied in a simple 3D geometry.

Infinite Element Domains in Darcy's Law Interfaces

The Darcy's Law interfaces now supports infinite element domains and more advanced computations of boundary fluxes.