Membrane Transport in a CuCl(aq)/HCl(aq) Electrolytic Cell

Abstract

A phenomenological model describing the transport processes across a cation exchange membrane was developed. Using data obtained from conductivity, permeability and transport number experiments, the model quantified the direct and indirect influences of CuCl(aq) chemical potential and electric potential gradients on the fluxes of H + (aq), CuCl(aq) and charged species across a pressed Nafion 117 membrane in contact with 7 mol L -1 HCl(aq). This system is of particular interest for the CuCl(aq)/HCl(aq) electrolytic cell, a key component in the Cu-Cl hybrid thermochemical cycle. It was found that in highly reduced CuCl(aq) solutions, the flux of protons and charged species were influenced by the presence of copper species.