Oxygen electroreduction on a granulated layer of a copper-containing electron-ion exchanger

The reduction of dissolved oxygen from a flowing aqueous solution of sodium sulfite on a cathodically polarized granulated layer of a copper-containing electron-ion exchanger is studied. It is established that the polarizing current is distributed over the layer height nonuniformly. A peak current corresponding to the oxygen electroreduction is discovered. The peak shifts from the inlet into the granulated layer to the exit out of it, which is connected with the advance of the concentration front and with an increase in ohmic resistance due to partial oxidation of copper centers. The distribution of the polarizing current is analogous to the distribution of the limiting current of the oxygen reduction, which is determined from polarization curves. The reaching of a stationary position of the peak of the polarizing current and the oxygen reduction degree with time testifies to the onset of a stationary state, at which the current turns limiting and the balance between the arrival and electroreduction of oxygen is fulfilled.