Abstract:
A nickel-metal hydride storage battery (50) comprising a positive electrode (52) containing nickel hydroxide, a negative electrode (54) containing a hydrogen absorbing alloy, an alkaline electrolyte, and an alkali conducting separator (56) provided between the positive electrode (52) and the negative electrode (54). The alkali conducting separator (56) may be a solid alkali metal ion super ion conducting material, wherein the alkali metal is Na, K, or Li.
Abstract:
A nickel-metal hydride (hydrogen) hybrid storage battery comprising a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide, a combination negative electrode containing a hydrogen storage alloy electrode and a reversible hydrogen electrode, an alkaline electrolyte, and an alkali conducting separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The alkali conducting separator may be a substantially non-porous ion conducting material wherein the alkali conducted is Na, K, or Li. A method of charging and discharging such a hybrid battery is also disclosed.
Abstract:
An electrochemical cell (50) having a cation-conductive ceramic membrane (56) and an acidic anolyte. Generally, the cell (50) includes a catholyte compartment (54) and an anolyte compartment (52) that are separated by a cation-conductive membrane (56). While the catholyte compartment (54) houses a primary cathode (60), the anolyte compartment (52) houses an anode (58) and a secondary cathode (62). In some cases, a current is passed through the electrodes to cause the secondary cathode (62) to evolve hydrogen gas. In other cases, hydrogen peroxide is channeled between the secondary cathode (62) and the membrane (56) to form hydroxyl ions. In yet other cases, the cell (50) includes a diffusion membrane disposed between the secondary cathode (62) and the anode (58). In each of the aforementioned cases, the cell functions to maintain the pH of a fluid contacting the membrane (56) at an acceptably high level.
Abstract:
A zinc anode storage battery (50) comprising a first electrode (54) containing zinc or a zinc alloy, a second electrode (52) containing an oxidizing material capable of electrochemical reduction by zinc, an alkaline electrolyte, and a substantially non-porous, alkali-ion conducting separator (56) provided between the first electrode (54) and the second electrode (52). The alkali conducting separator (56) may be a solid alkali metal ion super ion conducting material, wherein the alkali metal is Na, K, or Li.
Abstract:
Electrochemical systems and methods for producing hydrogen. Generally, the systems and methods involve providing an electrochemical cell (10) that includes an anolyte compartment (15) holding an anode (25) in contact with an anolyte (20), wherein the anolyte (20) includes an oxidizable substance having a higher standard oxidation potential than water. The cell (10) further comprises a catholyte compartment (30) holding a cathode (40) in contact with a catholyte (35) that includes a substance that reduces to form hydrogen. Additionally, the cell (10) includes an alkali cation conductive membrane (45) that separates the anolyte compartment (15) from the catholyte compartment (30). As an electrical potential passes between the anode (25) and cathode (40), the reducible substance reduces to form hydrogen and the oxidizable substance oxidizes to form an oxidized product.
Abstract:
A method that produces coupled radical products. An alkali metal salt is used in an anolyte as part of an electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell may include an alkali ion conducting membrane (such as a NaSICON membrane). When the cell is operated, the alkali metal salt of the carboxylic acid decarboxylates and forms radicals. Such radicals are then bonded to other radicals, thereby producing a coupled radical product such as a hydrocarbon.
Abstract:
A method that produces coupled radical products from biomass. The method involves obtaining a lipid or carboxylic acid material from the biomass. This lipid material or carboxylic acid material is converted into an alkali metal salt. The alkali metal salt is then used in an anolyte as part of an electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell may include an alkali ion conducting membrane (such as a NaSICON membrane). When the cell is operated, the alkali metal salt of the carboxylic acid decarboxylates and forms radicals. Such radicals are then bonded to other radicals, thereby producing a coupled radical product such as a hydrocarbon.
Abstract:
A method that produces coupled radical products. An alkali metal salt is used in an anolyte as part of an electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell may include an alkali ion conducting membrane (such as a NaSICON membrane). When the cell is operated, the alkali metal salt of the carboxylic acid decarboxylates and forms radicals. Such radicals are then bonded to other radicals, thereby producing a coupled radical product such as a hydrocarbon.
Abstract:
Alkali bicarbonate is synthesized in an electrolytic cell (100) from alkali carbonate. The electrolytic cell (100) includes an alkali ion conductive membrane (110) positioned between an anolyte compartment (112) configured with an anode (116) and a catholyte compartment (114) configured with a cathode (118). The alkali conductive membrane (110) selectively transports alkali ions (120) and prevents the transport of anions produced in the catholyte compartment. An aqueous alkali carbonate solution is introduced into the anolyte compartment (112) and electrolyzed at the anode (116) to produce carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen ions which react with alkali carbonate to produce alkali bicarbonate. The alkali bicarbonate is recovered by filtration or other separation techniques. When the catholyte solution includes water, pure alkali hydroxide is produced. When the catholyte solution includes methanol, pure alkali methoxide is produced.
Abstract:
An electrolytic cell produces coupled radical products. The method involves obtaining a carboxylic acid material from biomass and converting it into an alkali metal salt. The alkali metal salt is then used in an anolyte as part of an electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell may include an alkali ion conducting membrane (such as a NaSICON membrane). When the cell is operated, the alkali metal salt of the carboxylic acid decarboxylates and forms radicals. Such radicals are then bonded to other radicals, thereby producing a coupled radical product such as a hydrocarbon. The produced hydrocarbon may be, for example, saturated, unsaturated, branched, or unbranched, depending upon the starting material.