Method for preventing formation of calcareous deposits on seawater battery cathodes
First Claim
1. Method for preventing or greatly reducing formation of calcareous deposits on an inert electron conducting cathode in a primary cell which use natural seawater as electrolyte and dissolved oxygen in the seawater as oxidant, when the cell is connected to a load, comprising the steps:
- monitoring the cell voltage,disconnecting or reducing the load if the cell voltage falls to a first level the cathode potential corresponding to said first level being above the Nernst potential for the reduction of water to hydrogen and below the Nernst potential for the reduction of oxygen in seawater, andreconnecting or increasing the load when the cell voltage rises to a second level which is larger than or equal to said first level.
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method for preventing or greatly reducing formation of calcareous deposits on an inert electron conducting cathode in a primary cell (1) which is based on reaction between oxygen, water and a metal anode when it is submerged in seawater and connected to a load (2). The problem of deterioration of the cell (1) caused by calcareous depositions on the cell cathode is solved by monitoring the cell voltage and/or criteria leading to changes in the cell voltage and reducing or disconnecting the load (2) if the cell voltage falls below a certain level (VL) and reconnecting the load (2) after a certain time or when the voltage rises above a certain second level (VH).
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. Method for preventing or greatly reducing formation of calcareous deposits on an inert electron conducting cathode in a primary cell which use natural seawater as electrolyte and dissolved oxygen in the seawater as oxidant, when the cell is connected to a load, comprising the steps:
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monitoring the cell voltage, disconnecting or reducing the load if the cell voltage falls to a first level the cathode potential corresponding to said first level being above the Nernst potential for the reduction of water to hydrogen and below the Nernst potential for the reduction of oxygen in seawater, and reconnecting or increasing the load when the cell voltage rises to a second level which is larger than or equal to said first level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification