Electrically rechargeable battery
First Claim
1. An electrically rechargeable battery consisting essentially of at least one inert cathode, at least one zinc anode, a circulating alkaline catholyte in which said cathode is immersed, said catholyte containing a soluble alkali metal ferricyanide salt during electrical charge and a corresponding alkali metal ferrocyanide salt during electrical discharge, and a circulating alkaline anolyte in which said anode is immersed, said catholyte and anolyte permitting, during electrical discharge, electro oxidation of zinc to soluble zincate ions at said anode which are transported by the circulating anolyte to a first storage tank and electro reduction of soluble ferricyanide ions to the corresponding soluble ferrocyanide ions at said cathode which are transported by the circulating catholyte to a second storage tank and, during electrical charge, electrodeposition of zinc metal on said anode and electro oxidation of soluble ferrocyanide salt to the corresponding ferricyanide salt at said cathode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrically rechargeable battery comprising an inert cathode, a zinc anode and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, for example, NaOH, in which said anode and cathode are immersed. The alkaline electrolyte in the vicinity of the cathode contains an alkali metal ferricyanide salt, such as K3 Fe(CN)6 or Na3 Fe(CN)6. Optionally, a mechanical separator is utilized between the anode and cathode to prevent gross mixing of the saturated electrolyte at the cathode with the electrolyte in the vicinity of the anode. Preferably, the separator is of the ion exchange type. During electrical discharge, at the anode and cathode, the battery produces soluble reaction products which are transported in the electrolyte to respective external storage tanks which increase battery capacity. During the charge cycle, the reverse conditions occur.
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Citations
11 Claims
- 1. An electrically rechargeable battery consisting essentially of at least one inert cathode, at least one zinc anode, a circulating alkaline catholyte in which said cathode is immersed, said catholyte containing a soluble alkali metal ferricyanide salt during electrical charge and a corresponding alkali metal ferrocyanide salt during electrical discharge, and a circulating alkaline anolyte in which said anode is immersed, said catholyte and anolyte permitting, during electrical discharge, electro oxidation of zinc to soluble zincate ions at said anode which are transported by the circulating anolyte to a first storage tank and electro reduction of soluble ferricyanide ions to the corresponding soluble ferrocyanide ions at said cathode which are transported by the circulating catholyte to a second storage tank and, during electrical charge, electrodeposition of zinc metal on said anode and electro oxidation of soluble ferrocyanide salt to the corresponding ferricyanide salt at said cathode.
Specification