Open circuits

It should be pointed out that external polarization differs from the unbiased (open circuit) case in that after application of, say, an anodic voltage only the oxidation reaction takes place on the metal, whereas the cathodic reaction (H — H2) occurs at the external counter-electrode. 

Open-arc furnaces Open-celled foam Open-circuit potential Open-mold processes Open-pit mining Operating line... 

Another method of moderate dehumidification is by direct contact between the air and cold water using open circuit equipment. An air washer or capillary humidifier maintaining the water at a cold temperature is an example. 

The following mechanisms in corrosion behavior have been affected by implantation and have been reviewed (119) (/) expansion of the passive range of potential, (2) enhancement of resistance to localized breakdown of passive film, (J) formation of amorphous surface alloy to eliminate grain boundaries and stabilize an amorphous passive film, (4) shift open circuit (corrosion) potential into passive range of potential, (5) reduce/eliminate attack at second-phase particles, and (6) inhibit cathodic kinetics. 

The three basic types of size reduction circuits used to produce a fine product ate shown in Eigure 1. The final stages of the grinding circuit are typically operated in closed circuit, at comparatively high circulating loads, so that the material has tittle chance of being broken a second time before it is removed from the circuit by a classifier. Rod mills are operated normally in an open circuit. 

Under both short-circuit and open-circuit conditions, a solar cell produces no electric power, the power is consumed internally in the cell and is dissipated as heat. When a resistive load is connected to a cell in sunlight, a photogenerated voltage, F, is induced across the load and a current flows through it. The existence of requites that the flow of majority carriers be reduced from that in the open-circuit condition there must be a higher battier potential than in the open-circuit case (Fig. 2d). This higher barrier potential (V6 — ) indicates a smaller reduction from Since the photogenerated... 

Fig. 1. The energy cycle of a thermal electric generating station having two alternative cooling systems (—) the open-circuit or once-through system and (-------------------------------------) a representative closed-cycle, cooling-tower system. Reproduced by permission (3).

Open circuit voltage is the voltage across the terminals of a cell or battery when no external current flows. It is usually close to the thermodynamic voltage for the system. 

In the thermodynamic treatment of electrode potentials, the assumption was made that the reactions were reversible, which implies that the reactions occur infinitely slowly. This is never the case in practice. When a battery deUvers current, the electrode reactions depart from reversible behavior and the battery voltage decreases from its open circuit or equiUbrium voltage E. Thus the voltage during battery use or discharge E is lower than the voltage measured under open circuit or reversible conditions E by a quantity called the polari2ation Tj. 

Likewise, the battery voltage is increased from its open circuit voltage on charge. 

Fig. 6. Discharge behavior of a battery where is the open circuit voltage (a) current—potential or power curve showing M activation, ohmic, and M concentration polarization regions where the double headed arrow represents polarization loss and (b) voltage—time profile.

To calculate the open circuit voltage of the lead—acid battery, an accurate value for the standard cell potential, which is consistent with the activity coefficients of sulfuric acid, must also be known. The standard cell potential for the double sulfate reaction is 2.048 V at 25 °C. This value is calculated from the standard electrode potentials for the (Pt)H2 H2S04(yw) PbS04 Pb02(Pt) electrode 1.690 V (14), for the Pb(Hg) PbS04 H2S04(yw) H2(Pt) electrode 0.3526 V (19), and for the Pb Pb2+ Pb(Hg) 0.0057 V (21). 

Table 1 gives the calculated open circuit voltages of the lead—acid cell at 25°C at the sulfuric acid molalities shown. The corrected activities of sulfuric acid from vapor pressure data (20) are also given. 

The temperature dependence of the open circuit voltage has been accurately determined (22) from heat capacity measurements (23). The temperature coefficients are given in Table 2. The accuracy of these temperature coefficients does not depend on the accuracy of the open circuit voltages at 25°C shown in Table 1. Using the data in Tables 1 and 2, the open circuit voltage can be calculated from 0 to 60°C at concentrations of sulfuric acid from 0.1 to 13.877 m. 

When these half-reactions are summed, there is no net reaction. Thus the material balance of the cell is not altered by overcharge. At open circuit, equation 19 at the negative electrode is the sum of a two-step process, represented by equation 15 and... 

Batteries. The shelf life of dry batteries (qv) is increased from 50 to 80% by the use of a few grams of zinc chromate or dichromate near the zinc anode. This polarizes the anode on open circuit but does not interfere with current deUvery. 

The term electrochromism was apparently coined to describe absorption line shifts induced in dyes by strong electric fields (1). This definition of electrocbromism does not, however, fit within the modem sense of the word. Electrochromism is a reversible and visible change in transmittance and/or reflectance that is associated with an electrochemicaHy induced oxidation—reduction reaction. This optical change is effected by a small electric current at low d-c potential. The potential is usually on the order of 1 V, and the electrochromic material sometimes exhibits good open-circuit memory. Unlike the well-known electrolytic coloration in alkaU haUde crystals, the electrochromic optical density change is often appreciable at ordinary temperatures. 

Stress Relaxation. Copper alloys are used extensively in appHcations where they are subjected to moderately elevated temperatures while under load. An important example is the spring member for contacts in electrical and electronic coimectors. Critical to rehable performance is the maintenance of adequate contact force, or stabiUty, while in service. Excessive decrease in this force to below a minimum threshold value because of losses in spring property can lead to premature open-circuit failure (see Electrical connectors). 

C, the corrosion current density, /, at the open-circuit corrosion potential, E. See also discussion in text. 

At open-circuit, the current in the cell is 2ero, and species in adjoining phases are in equilibrium. Eor example, the electrochemical potential of electrons in phases d and P are identical. Furthermore, the two electrochemical reactions are equilibrated. Thus,... 

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