To investigate the influence of the structure of the reinforced fibers on field distribution in ionic membrane

the matter migration processes in the ion-exchange membrane (IEM) with the reinforced fibers in the presence of the electric field were simulated by using the percolation flow model in porous media

the transport of diluted species model and the secondary current distribution model. The convective velocity

concentration and current density in the ionic membrane were obtained. The effects of the shape

pitch and the mode of network of the reinforced fibers on the field distribution were studied. The ion concentration on the surface of the membrane after electrolysis was measured by photography and image processing technology. The experimental results were in good agreement with the simulation results. The results show that

the convective velocity at the central region encircled by the reinforced fibers is the highest. The closer to the reinforced fibers

the lower the velocity

the greater the concentration and the current density. Higher velocity and current density can be obtained in the ionic membrane by using the orthogonal reinforced fibers. The larger the distance between the ribs

the lower the current density

the more uniform the distribution. The highest value and the most inhomogeneous distribution of the current density can be obtained by using the ellipse reinforced fibers with its major axis vertical to the flow.