Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for removing a chemical product species produced by electrochemical action at an electrode or by a chemical reaction which occurs at the surface of a solid catalyst. The method involves providing a flow of a host solution generally parallel to a surface at which a chemical reaction occurs. The flow of the host solution causes the products from the chemical reaction to be entrained in a thin boundary layer which moves along the surface. These products can be removed from a cell by withdrawing the boundary layer from the cell as it reaches the trailing edge of the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for removing a chemical product species produced by electrochemical action at an electrode or by a chemical reaction which occurs at the surface of a solid catalyst. The method involves providing a flow of a host solution generally parallel to a surface at which a chemical reaction occurs. The flow of the host solution causes the products from the chemical reaction to be entrained in a thin boundary layer which moves along the surface. These products can be removed from a cell by withdrawing the boundary layer from the cell as it reaches the trailing edge of the surface. The products may additionally be removed at intermediate points along the surface to prevent the host solution from becoming depleted. Various apparatus for practising this method are also described. The apparatus and method are capable of removing a desired product species in a more highly concentrated form than is possible with commonly available current techniques and apparatus.