Abstract:
An electrochemical cell is disclosed. The cell comprises a substrate with an elongate channel formed therein; first and second electrodes extending longitudinally in the channel and disposed to opposite sides of the channel; and three fluid ports at each end of the channel for ingress and egress of respective fluids, wherein three fluids entering into the channel through respective fluid ports at one end flow through the channel in parallel laminar streams and exit the channel through the respective ports at the other end. One of the fluids is disposed between the other two fluids in the channel, and facilitates diffusion of ions to and from those other two fluids. One or more of the cells may be used as part of a flow battery. Also described is a method for manufacturing the electrochemical cell. The battery may be used to power an electric vehicle.
Abstract:
A fuel cell stack (10) comprises a plurality of fuel cells each with a chamber (K) for electrolyte with at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and at least one header (30) to supply electrolyte to all the cells in parallel, and means (14) to collect electrolyte that has flowed through the cells. For each cell, the electrolyte outlets (34) feed into an electrolyte flow channel arranged such that in use there is a free surface of electrolyte within the electrolyte flow channel, the electrolyte flow channel being separate from the corresponding electrolyte flow channels for other cells, but such that the free surfaces of all the electrolyte flow channels are at a common pressure. Electrolyte is maintained at a constant depth in this open flow channel by a weir (38), and then flows over the weir to trickle or drip down the outside of the stack. This ensures uniform outlet electrolyte pressure throughout the stack (10) and across the individual cells, and avoids or reduces ionic leakage currents through the electrolyte outlets.
Abstract:
Galvanic electrochemical cells (100, 300, 700, 900) for converting chemical energy into electrical energy, such as batteries, flow cells and fuel cells with a cylindrical rotating filter (120X, 326, 726, 910) having ion-porous (120P, 326P, 726P, 910P) and ion-non-porous filter (120N, 326N, 726N, 910N) for use with both thixotropic and non-conducting electrolytes that generates fluid flows in electrolytes between static cylindrical current collector segments (106, 304X, 306X, 710X, 902X; 108, 314X, 316X, 712X, 906) and the filter (120, 326, 726, 910) are disclosed that generate electric currents varying in amplitude that can be converted into alternating current electricity.
Abstract:
A fuel cell assembly comprises a fuel cell stack (200) comprising a plurality of fuel cells, a releasable clamp (235) to retain the components of the fuel cell stack; and a casing (240) into which the stack is insertable. The casing (240) provides means (250, 252) to compress the fuel cell stack components together. Each fuel cell in the stack (200) comprises two electrodes (11, 12) that are mutually spaced so as to form an electrolyte chamber therebetween, and each electrode incorporates a catalyst; the fuel cell stack is made up of plates (202) to define electrolyte chambers and plates (206) to define the gas chambers, the electrodes being sealingly secured between plates in the stack. At least one end plate (230) defines ports (232) to supply or withdraw fluids from the fuel cells.
Abstract:
A porous electrode for a fuel cell is made by dusting nickel powder of a particle size of 65 to 75 microns into a dish-shaped plate and sintering without pressure at a temperature between 1325 DEG C. and 1350 DEG C. for an hour in hydrogen or a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen. A second layer having finer pores is then produced on the first layer by painting on it a suspension in alcohol of nickel powder having a particle size of 4 to 5 microns and sintering at 1000 DEG C. for half an hour. In an alternative method of making the first layer, nickel particles of size 7 to 9 microns or 4 to 5 microns are mixed with ammonium bicarbonate of 100-240 mesh in the proportion of 1 part by weight of the bicarbonate to 3 to 5 parts of nickel. The mixture is pressed at 4,000 lbs. per square inch and then sintered at 1000 DEG C. to 1150 DEG C. for half an hour to 3 hours. The Provisional Specification describes modifications of the sintering processes in one of which the temperature at which the coarser nickel particles of 65 to 75 microns are sintered is reduced to 1150 DEG C. by sintering in an atmosphere of hydrogen and nitrogen which has been passed through hydrochloric acid.
Abstract:
A gas passage forming body for a fuel battery includes gas passages and water guide passages. A communication passage is arranged between one of the water guide passages and a gas passage that is adjacent to the water guide passage and is in communication with the adjacent gas passage and water guide passage to permit water to move therethrough. An aid portion is arranged at water drainage ends of two adjacent ones of the water guide passages and aids bonding of water drained from the water drainage ends of the two adjacent ones of the water guide passages. Thus, water drainage from the water guide passages of the gas passage forming body is improved, and water in the gas passages is reduced. As a result, the battery performance of the fuel battery is improved due to an improvement in gas diffusion.
Abstract:
Galvanic electrochemical cells (100, 300, 700, 900) for converting chemical energy into electrical energy, such as batteries, flow cells and fuel cells with a cylindrical rotating filter (120X, 326, 726, 910) having ion-porous (120P, 326P, 726P, 910P) and ion-non-porous filter (120N, 326N, 726N, 910N) for use with both thixotropic and non-conducting electrolytes that generates fluid flows in electrolytes between static cylindrical current collector segments (106, 304X, 306X, 710X, 902X; 108, 314X, 316X, 712X, 906) and the filter (120, 326, 726, 910) are disclosed that generate electric currents varying in amplitude that can be converted into alternating current electricity.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a fuel cell comprising an anode chamber, a cathode chamber and a cavity for the electrolytic space, as well as combustion gas supply conduits and carbon dioxide and water discharge conduits for the anode chamber, and, for the cathode chamber, oxygen and carbon dioxide supply conduits and discharge conduits for residual oxygen and residual carbon dioxide. The anode chamber and the cathode chamber receive a metal sponge, the cathode chamber housing a metal or ceramic sponge. Said fuel cell is subdivided into an anode chamber, an outer cathode chamber and a median cathode chamber, separate cavities for electrolytic space located between the anode chamber and the median cathode chamber and the median cathode chamber and the outer cathode chamber. An electrolyte conduit enters the median cathode chamber, the oxygen supply conduits and the oxygen discharge conduits are arranged on the median cathode chamber, and the CO2 supply conduits and the CO2 discharge conduits are located on the outer cathode chamber.
Abstract:
A fuel cell system (with reference to a single cell arrangement) comprising means to provide for the motion-movement of an assembly comprised of an electrolyte sandwiched between an anode-electrode and a cathode-electrode; said motion-movement serving to accelerate electrochemical activity within the fuel cell by providing for accelerated reactant exposure to respective electrodes; including instant centrifugal water removal at the cathode-electrode surface; and boosted cooling to said anode-electrode; while offering accelerated (anti electroosmotic) moisturizing to the specific benefit of the anode side of a polymer-electrolyte.