Modeling of process of obtaining activated solutions in electrolyzer for their use in agriculture

Abstract

Various electrical and technological techniques are increasingly used to stimulate the vital activity of animals and plants in agricultural production. Elements of electrical technologies are used to suppress pathogenic microorganisms. Activated solutions obtained as a result of diaphragm electrolysis have the widest range of action. In agriculture, there is a need for electric activators with specific characteristics and they are capable of producing activated solutions with specified properties. It is necessary to study the main physical and chemical processes occurring in electrolyzers and develop appropriate mathematical and computer models. It is proposed to use the Comsol software package for modeling. The geometric model of a non-flowing diaphragm electrolyzer is presented in the form of a cylinder with a capacity of 1 liter. The Navier-Stokes and Joule -Lenz equations were used to describe the thermal processes and the movement of the electrolyte in the activator. Navier-Stokes equations and Darcy's law are used to model transport movements in porous media. The processes occurring in the anode and cathode chambers during the electrode-electrolyte transition were described using the Butler-Folmer equation. The analysis and comparison with experimental data were performed after solving mathematical models and constructing images of the main physical processes. Studies of changes in physical and chemical properties of anolyte and catholyte in a non-stationary period (up to 16 minutes) have shown that the model and experimental data for the most part had a good match after the 12 th minute (relative error from 2 to 6 %). Experimental graphs of changes in the hydrogen index over time in the anode and cathode chambers showed a small discrepancy with the simulation data in the interval of 8-12 minutes (an error of about 11 %) and a fairly good match at the stationary site (an error of less than 4 %).