Abstract
A convectionโcontrolled mass transfer process in which the rate of mass transfer results in an electrical signal should have certain advantages as the working principle for a velocityโand turbulenceโmeasuring device. The velocity can be read at a remote place as a calibrated electrical signal. Compensation for phase shift and amplitude attenuation of a fluctuating signal should be small because the measuring probe would have no capacity for the transferred quantity. In water, such processes are possible whenever electrolysis occurs under conditions of concentration polarization, and they exist in relatively uncomplicated from as the limiting currents of polarographic analysis. The investigation reported here was intended as a survey and evaluation of electrolytic methods for measuring water velocities.
The series of experiments that was performed showed that a working instrument could be designed on the principle of convectionโcontrolled electrolysis, but that the chemical reactions involved were unreliable for consistent troubleโfree results. Practical instruments appear to be possible only after long development and considerable study of chemical mechanisms.