Monopolar receiver

Figure 2 Photograph of monopolar receiver. This disk shaped device contains the electronic circuitry embedded in epoxy resin and coated with silicone rubber. The electrical connector is attached to the phrenic nerve electrode. Source From Avery Biomedical Devices.

Not all the shunt current returns to the electrolyzer. Some leaks from the system and does not take part in electrolysis. Since the production rate depends on the current supplied, there is a production loss caused by shunt currents. In order to accurately determine current efficiency, the actual current received by each cell in the circuit needs to be known. One of the uses of shunt current models, discussed in the next section, is the estimation of the shunt currents as well as the current in each cell. For well-designed chlor-alkali plants, the shunt current loss will usually be less than 2% and frequently less than 1%. The shunt currents that bypass the center cells do no useful electrolysis, but wiU cause IR heating of the electrolytes. For production of molten metals, where shunt cinrent loss could be much higher than 2% because of the high conductivity, such IR heating could be of some benefit, but the economic trade-off between the choice of bipolar and monopolar cells for such an application needs to be carefully considered [8]. 

Figure 3 Photograph of monopolar electrode. This electrode is eomposed of highly flexible stainless steel fibers, insulated by silicone rubber, with a platinum nerve contact on one end and a connector that mates with the receiver. Source) From Avery Biomedical Devices.

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