Interferometric Observation of Turbulent Mass Transfer in Channel Flow

Abstract

A traveling, dual‐beam laser interferometer has been used to investigate mass‐transfer boundary layers on planar electrodes in turbulent channel flow. The effect of secondary flows induced near the electrode/electrolyte interface by small flow obstacles in laminar bulk flow is compared to the effect of turbulent bulk flow produced by high electrolyte flow rates in an obstacle‐free flow channel. It is shown that mass‐transfer enhancement can be attained more efficiently by the use of small flow obstacles than by the use of high flow velocities.