Measurements of Current Distribution in an Electrolytic Cell Using Bipolar Rotating Double Probe Electrodes

Abstract

Current distribution in an electrolytic cell was measured using the method of rotating double probe electrode (RDPE), in which the current between two points in a solution was detected as an A. C. signal. The results indicated that the plots of the output signal versus the current density gave linear relations when a platinized platinum bipolar RDPE was used for the current with uniform distribution in a copper 00 sulfate solution and synthetic sea water at 25°C(Fig.1 and Fig.2). The current direction was measured within an angular accuracy of ± 6°. The current intensity measured and its direction for the current-flow lines with non-uniform distribution were in agreement with the calculated intensity and direction within an error of 10% and 10°, respectivery, at a rotating speed of 13 rps (Table 1). It was found that the platinized platinum electrode, regarded as a low surface impedance electrode, was much more sensitive and stable than a copper or a silver electrode as a practical reversible electrode.