Numerical simulation of gas–liquid two‐phase flow and electric heating field in lithium electrolytic cell

Abstract Since the flow field distribution exerts a significant impact on the substance distribution and energy consumption inside the electrolytic cell, this paper proposes a novel hollow cathode. By establishing a three‐dimensional model of lithium electrolyte–chlorine gas–liquid two‐phase flow and a thermal field model, the flow field distribution in the electrolytic cell with new cathode is studied, and the influence of process parameters on the heat field is discussed. The results show that the new electrolytic cell structure can better separate chlorine gas and lithium droplets, but there is a reflux phenomenon, there is a risk of side reaction and a reduction of current efficiency, so the flow field needs to be further optimized. There is a secondary relationship between the current and the heat production of the electrolytic cell and the electric heat is mainly generated by electrolyte. To enhance the current of the lithium electrolytic cell, attention should be paid to the accumulation of heat. The anode number and current do not change the structure of the equivalent circuit, and the heat production ratio of each component is constant. Increasing the size of the anode can reduce energy accumulation, but there is a diminishing marginal return. Heat production is sensitive to the change of anode–cathode distance (ACD). Reducing ACD by 1 mm can save 2299 W energy.