Separator-spacer for electrochemical systems

• US 4,396,689 A
• Filed: 06/01/1981
• Issued: 08/02/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Bellows, Richard J., Grimes, Patrick G., Einstein, Harry, Newby, Kenneth R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edmundson, F.
• Application Number:
  US06/268,665
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 429/38, 429/39, 429/105, 429/146
• US Class Current: 429/105
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 13/02 characterised by shape or form
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/463 Separators, membranes or diaphragms characterised by their shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0213 Gas-impermeable carbon-containing materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0273 with sealing or supporting means in the form of a frame
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0289 Means for holding the electrolyte solid polymer electrolytes H01M8/1018
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

An electrochemical cell construction features a novel co-extruded plastic electrode in an interleaved construction with a novel integral separator-spacer. Also featured is a leak and impact resistant construction for preventing the spill of corrosive materials in the event of rupture.

Claims

1. An integral separator and spacer for use in an electrochemical cell having circulating electrolyte flowing therethrough, wherein said separator-spacer is a sheet disposed between adjacent electrodes of said cell and comprises a frame disposed about a microporous web, said web being thinner than said frame in order to form internal compartments between said separator-spacer sheet and said adjacent electrodes, so that circulating electrolyte can flow about said electrodes, said web providing ionic communication between adjacent compartments of said cell, a surface on each side of said web covered with projections for maintaining a spaced compartmental distance between said separator-spacer and said adjacent electrodes.

2. The integral separator-spacer of claim 1, wherein substantially all of said projections on one surface of said web are directly opposite corresponding projections on the other surface of said web.

3. The integral separator-spacer of claim 2, wherein said projections are comprised of pebble-shaped protuberances.

4. The integral separator-spacer of claim 1, wherein said projections are comprised of pebble-shaped protuberances.

5. The integral separator-spacer of claim 2, wherein said projections are comprised of rod-shaped protuberances.

6. The integral separator-spacer of claim 1, wherein said projections are comprised of rod-shaped protuberances.

7. The integral separator-spacer of claim 2, wherein said projections are comprised of a combination of pebble-and-rod shaped-protuberances.

8. The integral separator-spacer of claim 1, wherein said projections are comprised of a combination of pebble-and-rod-shaped-protuberances.

9. The integral separator-spacer of claim 1, further comprising a non-porous border substantially surrounding said microporous web.

10. The integral separator-spacer of claim 1, wherein said microporous web is ion-selective.

11. The integral separator-spacer of claim 1, wherein said projections are non-ionically-conductive.

12. The integral separator-spacer of claim 2, wherein said projections are non-ionically-conductive.

13. The integral separator-spacer of claim 1, wherein said projections have non-ionically-conductive caps.

14. The integral separator-spacer of claim 2, wherein said projections have non-ionically-conductive caps.

15. The integral separator-spacer of claim 1, wherein said projections are diamond shaped.

16. The integral separator-spacer of claim 2, wherein said projections are diamond shaped.

17. The integral separator-spacer of claim 1, wherein said projections are comprised of material different than the material of said web.

18. The integral separator-spacer of claim 2, wherein said projections are comprised of material different than the material of said web.

19. The integral separator-spacer of claim 1, wherein said projections are less ionically conductive than the web.

20. The integral separator-spacer of claim 2, wherein said projections are less ionically conductive than the web.

21. The integral separator-spacer of claim 1, wherein said projections are substantially non-porous.

22. The integral separator-spacer of claim 2, wherein said projections are substantially non-porous.