ecFOAM: A finite volume electrochemistry solver, with applications for molten salt systems

Srivastav, Aryaman

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129982 Copy

Description

Title

ecFOAM: A finite volume electrochemistry solver, with applications for molten salt systems

Author(s)

Srivastav, Aryaman

Issue Date

2025-07-23

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Vergari, Lorenzo

Committee Member(s)

Panerai, Francesco

Department of Study

Aerospace Engineering

Discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• electrohydrodynamics
• multicomponent
• electrochemistry
• molten salt
• finite volume
• FVM
• OpenFOAM
• Butler-Volmer
• numerical

Abstract

Transport in molten-salt reactors and other high-temperature liquids is governed by tightly coupled multicomponent diffusion, charge migration, and fluid flow. This thesis presents ecFOAM, an open-source finite-volume library built on OpenFOAM-12 to solve fully coupled electrohydrodynamic transport with electrochemical effects. The governing equations are derived in a thermodynamically consistent form, and electrode kinetics are implemented with a segregated PIMPLE algorithm. The model avoids resolving multiple length scales by adopting the thin double-layer approximation on electrochemical interfaces and enforcing local electroneutrality through an elliptic constraint on the electric potential. A series of test cases were run that function as verification exercises, exploratory studies, and regression tests. A microbenchmark from the exaFOAM supercomputing project was ported to test the non-electrochemical components of the solver. Quantitative agreement with reference data was obtained. Two planar-electrode problems were examined: a one-dimensional half-cell with ion depletion, and a two-electrode metal deposition case with Butler–Volmer kinetics. Although depletion and deposition behavior was observed in each case respectively, quantitative agreement was not obtained for both cases. Finally, a molten-salt natural-convection loop was generated as a demonstration model doubling as a scaling test, but execution of the model is on hold, pending verification of the previous electrochemical cases.

Graduation Semester

2025-08

Type of Resource

Thesis

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129982

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2025 Aryaman Srivastav

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