Electrochemical power generation with thermal electrolyte management
First Claim
1. A method of power generation, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing an electrochemical cell including a reactive metal anode, a cathode spaced from said anode to define a reaction zone, and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said reactive metal and a common ion agent effective in increasing the thermal coefficient of solubility of said hydroxide in said electrolyte;
flowing said electrolyte through said reaction zone to generate electric power;
cooling said electrolyte flowing from said reaction zone to precipitate at least a portion of said reactive metal hydroxide;
separating at least a portion of said precipitate from said electrolyte; and
,recirculating said separated electrolyte to said electrochemical cell.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of power generation and associated system therefor employing an electrochemical cell including a reactive metal anode, a cathode spaced from the anode and an electrolyte comprising an aqeuous solution of the hydroxide of the reactive metal is disclosed. The method of the invention utilizes the thermal coefficient of solubility of the metal hydroxide anode reaction product as a means by which electrolyte management is accomplished. The electrolyte, after passing through the electrochemical cell to generate electric power, is cooled to precipitate at least a portion of the reactive metal hydroxide. The precipitate is then separated from the electrolyte, thereby reducing the concentration of the reactive metal hydroxide in the electrolyte. The resulting electrolyte is then recirculated to the electrochemical cell.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of power generation, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrochemical cell including a reactive metal anode, a cathode spaced from said anode to define a reaction zone, and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said reactive metal and a common ion agent effective in increasing the thermal coefficient of solubility of said hydroxide in said electrolyte; flowing said electrolyte through said reaction zone to generate electric power; cooling said electrolyte flowing from said reaction zone to precipitate at least a portion of said reactive metal hydroxide; separating at least a portion of said precipitate from said electrolyte; and
,recirculating said separated electrolyte to said electrochemical cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for power generation comprising:
- an electrochemical cell including a reactive metal anode, a cathode spaced from said anode to define a reaction zone, an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said reactive metal and a common ion agent effective in increasing the thermal coefficient of solubility of said hydroxide in said electrolyte;
means for flowing said electrolyte through said reaction zone to generate electric power; means for cooling said electrolyte flowing from said reaction zone precipitate at least a portion of said reactive metal hydroxide; means for separating at least a portion of said precipitate from said electrolyte; and
,means for recirculating said separated electrolyte to said electrochemical cell. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- an electrochemical cell including a reactive metal anode, a cathode spaced from said anode to define a reaction zone, an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said reactive metal and a common ion agent effective in increasing the thermal coefficient of solubility of said hydroxide in said electrolyte;
Specification