Method and apparatus for recovering a reaction product produced at a surface

A method for recovering a reaction product at a surface, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a surface immersed in a fluid and fluid driving means for causing the fluid to flow past the surface;
• b) operating the fluid driving means to cause the fluid to flow past the surface so as to cause fluid in a boundary layer region adjacent the surface to flow across the surface from an upstream side of the surface to a downstream side of the surface without mixing substantially with fluid outside of the boundary layer region;
• c) allowing a reaction product to form at the surface;
• d) allowing the fluid flowing in the boundary layer region to carry the reaction product across the surface toward a fluid removal means in a downstream collection zone;
• and,
• e) at the collection zone, operating the fluid removal means to withdraw fluid flowing in the boundary layer together with the reaction product.

An electrochemical cell comprising:

• a) a container holding a liquid electrolyte;
• b) first and second electrodes in the container in contact with the electrolyte;
• c) electrical conductors for connecting the first and second electrodes respectively to first and second poles of an electrical power supply;
• d) fluid driving means for causing electrolyte to flow past a surface of the first electrode with a velocity sufficient to cause the electrolyte in a boundary layer adjacent the surface to flow across the first electrode from an upstream side to a downstream side without mixing significantly with electrolyte from outside the boundary layer;
• and,
• e) fluid removal means at the downstream side of the surface for withdrawing fluid containing a reaction product from the boundary layer.

An electrode assembly for use in an electrochemical cell, the electrode assembly comprising:

• (a) an electrically conductive surface;
• (b) a first elongated opening extending along an edge portion of the surface;
• (c) a plenum in fluid communication with the first elongated opening;
• (d) one or more additional elongated openings in fluid connection with the plenum, the additional elongated openings extending generally parallel to the first elongated opening and spaced apart from the first elongated opening on the surface;
• and,
• (d) a port connected to the plenum;
• wherein, when the electrode assembly is immersed in an electrolyte, fluid can be drawn into the first elongated opening by applying suction to the port.