Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100248064 | THREE DIMENSIONAL SINGLE-CHAMBER FUEL CELLS - The present invention relates to single chamber fuel cells and systems and methods associated with the same. Architectures and materials that allow for high performance, enhanced fuel utilization, mechanical robustness, and mechanical flexibility are described. In some embodiments, multiple fuel cell units are arranged in a single chamber and may be, in some cases, connected to each other (e.g., connected in series, connected in parallel, etc.). Each fuel cell unit can be defined as one or more anode(s), one or more cathode(s), and an electrolyte able to maintain electrical separation between the anode(s) and cathode(s). The multiple fuel cell units are arranged in stacks in some cases. In one set of embodiments, the stacks of fuel cell units can be shaped and/or arranged to enhance the mixing of fuel and oxidant, thus improving distribution of reactants in the reaction zone. For example, the stacks of fuel cells may be arranged as fins within the fuel cell chamber. In addition, the stacks of fuel cells may be porous in some instances. In addition, the stacks of fuel cell units may be arranged to enhance other fluid flow parameters (e.g., residence time, reactant distribution, etc.). In some cases, the enhanced fluid flow may lead to increased fuel utilization and system efficiency. | 09-30-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110223451 | METAL ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY FOR FLOW BATTERIES - A flow battery electrode assembly with a first impermeable, substantially metal electrode, a second permeable, substantially metal electrode and at least one electrically conductive spacer. The electrically conductive spacer connects the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable, substantially metal electrode such that the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable, substantially metal electrode are spaced apart from each other by an electrolyte flow path. | 09-15-2011 |
20120219832 | High Temperature Metal-Halogen Flow Battery with Non-Aqueous Molten Salt Electrolyte - An apparatus including at least one electrochemical flow cell in which the electrochemical flow cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a reaction zone between the anode and the cathode. The electrochemical flow cell also includes an electrolyte storage reservoir configured to hold a molten salt electrolyte and a gas generated during charging of the at least one electrochemical flow cell and at least one conduit configured to supply the molten salt electrolyte and the gas from the storage reservoir to the at least one electrochemical flow cell. The electrochemical flow cell also includes at least one pump configured to pump the molten salt electrolyte from the storage reservoir to the reaction zone. | 08-30-2012 |
20120328910 | Electrolyte Flow Configuration for a Metal-Halogen Flow Battery - A flow battery and method of operating a flow battery. The flow battery includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a reaction zone located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The flow battery is configured with a first electrolyte flow configuration in charge mode and a second flow configuration in discharge mode. The first electrolyte flow configuration is at least partially different from the second electrolyte flow configuration. | 12-27-2012 |
20130045399 | Flow Battery with Reactant Separation - An embodiment relates an electrochemical system. The system includes (a) at least one cell that comprises a first electrode, a second electrode and a reaction zone between the first and second electrode. The system also includes (b) a liquefied halogen reactant (c) at least one metal halide electrolyte and (d) a flow circuit configured to deliver the halogen reactant and the at least one metal-halide electrolyte to the at least one cell. The flow circuit includes an electrolyte reservoir and a halogen reactant/electrolyte separation device comprising a halophilic material. | 02-21-2013 |
20130252041 | Electrode for High Performance Metal Halogen Flow Battery - A porous electrode for a flow battery includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has at least one of a different catalytic property or a different permeability than the second layer. | 09-26-2013 |
20130252044 | Electrode for High Performance Metal Halogen Flow Battery - A porous electrode for a flow battery includes a first layer having a first average pore size and a second layer having a second average pore size, wherein the second pore size is smaller than the first pore size. | 09-26-2013 |
20130266829 | Fluidic Architecture for Metal-Halogen Flow Battery - A metal-halogen flow battery system includes a stack of flow cells, an electrolyte reservoir and one or more of a concentrated halogen return line fluidly connecting the stack to the reservoir, a venturi, a mixer, a concentrated halogen pump, or a concentrated halogen line heater. | 10-10-2013 |
20140308547 | Fluidic Architecture for Metal-Halogen Flow Battery - A metal-halogen flow battery system includes a stack of flow cells, an electrolyte reservoir and one or more of a concentrated halogen return line fluidly connecting the stack to the reservoir, a venturi, a mixer, a concentrated halogen pump, or a concentrated halogen line heater. | 10-16-2014 |