Power generation systems and methods

• US 4,756,979 A
• Filed: 06/18/1986
• Issued: 07/12/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation (Paramount Global (f/k/a ViacomCBS Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Gould, Inc. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Specht, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, Donald L.
• Application Number:
  US06/875,593
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: 429/101, 429/105, 429/51, 429/70
• US Class Current: 429/405
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/04 composed of a half-cell of the fuel-cell type and of a half-cell of the primary-cell type
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/00 Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/06 Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues regenerative fuel cells H01M8/18
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A power generation system utilizing an electrochemical cell comprising a consumable metal anode, a cathode spaced from the anode to define an electrochemical reaction zone therebetween and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of the consumable metal is disclosed. The electrolyte is circulated through the reaction zone to electrochemically generate electrical power and to form the hydroxide of the consumable metal. The hydroxide of the consumable metal is converted to water and at least one oxide of the consumable metal. The water is separated from the consumable metal oxide and is added to the electrolyte. The invention also comprehends corresponding methods of power generation.

Claims

1. A system for power generation, comprising:

an electrochemical cell including a consumable metal anode, a cathode spaced from said anode to define an electrochemical reaction zone, and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said consumable metal;

means for circulating said electrolyte through said reaction zone to electrochemically generate electrical power and form the hydroxide of said consumable metal;

means for converting at least a portion of said hydroxide of said consumable metal to water and at least one oxide of said consumable metal;

means for separating said consumable metal oxide from said water; and

means for adding said water to said electrolyte.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said consumable metal comprises a reactive metal.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said reactive metal comprises an alkali metal.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said alkali metal comprises lithium.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said oxide comprises Li₂ O.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said cathode comprises a material selected from the group consisting of conductive metals and metal oxides.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said cathode metal oxide comprises AgO.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said cathode is an oxygen-consuming cathode.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said cathode is an air cathode.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said electrochemical celladditionally comprises a cathode reactant selected from the group consisting of O₂, AgO, H₂ O₂ and H₂ O.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said hydroxide is selected from the group consisting of anhydrous hydroxide, monohydrate hydroxide, aqueous hydroxide and mixtures thereof.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said converting means comprises:

means for reacting at least a portion of said hydroxide with a reactant to yield a transformation product and water; and

means for reacting said transformation product to yield said consumable metal oxide and said reactant.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said reactant is carbon dioxide and said transformation product comprises a carbonate of said consumable metal.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein said converting means includes means for providing thermal energy to said reacting means to drive said reaction.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said energy providing means comprises a burner adapted for the burning of fuel with an oxygen containing gas to generate thermal energy.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said hydroxide of said consumable metal is fed directly to said burner.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein said fuel is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen gas, hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein said energy providing means comprises a thermal engine adapted to generate useful power.

19. The system of claim 18 additionally comprising means adapted for contacting exhaust from said thermal engine with said hydroxide to form a reaction product and water;

means for separating said reaction product from said water; and

means for recirculating said water to said reaction zone.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said reaction product comprises a carbonate of said consumable metal.

21. The system of claim 14 wherein said energy providing means comprises an electrical resistance heater.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said resistance heater is powered by a portion of the electrical power generated by said cell.

23. A method of power generation comprising the steps of:

supplying an electrolyte to an electrochemical reaction zone defined between a consumable metal anode and a cathode spaced from said anode of an electrochemical cell, said electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said consumable metal;

circulating said electrolyte through said reaction zone to electrochemically generate electrical power and form the hydroxide of said consumable metal;

converting at least a portion of said hydroxide of said consumable metal to water and at least one oxide of said consumable metal;

separating said consumable metal oxide from said water; and

adding said water to said electrolyte.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said consumable metal comprises a reactive metal.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said reactive metal comprises an alkali metal.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein an alkali metal comprises lithium.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said oxide comprises Li₂ O.

28. The method of claim 23 wherein said cathode comprises a material selected from the group consisting of conductive metals and metal oxides.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein said cathode metal oxide comprises AgO.

30. The method of claim 23 wherein said cathode is an oxygen-consuming cathode.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein said cathode is an air cathode.

32. The method of claim 23 wherein said electrochemical cell additionally comprises a cathode reactant selected from the group consisting of O₂, AgO, H₂ O₂ and H₂ O.

33. The method of claim 23 wherein said hydroxide is selected from the group consisting of anhydrous hydroxide, monohydrate hydroxide, aqueous hydroxide and mixtures thereof.

34. The method of claim 23 wherein said converting step comprises the steps of;

reacting at least a portion of said hydroxide and a reactant to yield a transformation product and water; and

reacting said transformation product to yield said consumable metal oxide and said reactant.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein said reactant is carbon dioxide and said transformation product comprises a carbonate of said consumable metal.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein said converting step include the step of providing thermal energy to said reacting means to drive said reaction.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein said energy providing step comprises burning of fuel with an oxygen containing gas in a burner to generate thermal energy.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein said hydroxide of said consumable metal is fed directly to said burner.

39. The method of claim 37 wherein said fuel is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen gas, hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof.

40. The method of claim 36 wherein said energy providing step comprises the step of operating a thermal engine adapted to generate useful power.

41. The method of claim 40 additionally comprising the steps of:

contacting exhaust from said thermal engine with said hydroxide to form a reaction product and water;

separating said reaction product from said water; and

recirculating said water to said reaction zone.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein said reaction product comprises a carbonate of said consumable metal.

43. The method of claim 36 wherein said energy providing means comprises an electrical resistance heater.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein said resistance heater is powered by a portion of the electrical power generated by said cell.