Electrical power storage apparatus

• US 5,208,526 A
• Filed: 12/31/1990
• Issued: 05/04/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LUZ Electric Fuel Israel Limited
• Original Assignee: LUZ Electric Fuel Israel Limited
• Inventors: Goldstein, Jonathan, Goldman, Arnold J., Korall, Menachem J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hickey, R. J.
• Application Number:
  US07/636,450
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2, 320/15, 429/15, 429/26, 429/27
• US Class Current: 320/128
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/06 with one metallic and one gaseous electrode
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2004/024 Insertable electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/02 Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/34 Robot, hybrid, recreational or emergency vehicle

Abstract

A rechargeable, electrical power storage system employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, which system includes one or more metal-air cells, each including outer electrode apparatus including air electrode apparatus and being configured to define a liquid permeable housing; a volume of the active metal particles arranged within the housing so as to define a static bed which is saturated with the electrolyte solution; inner electrode apparatus arranged within the housing so as to be surrounded by the static bed. The system also includes apparatus for circulating an electrolyte solution through the static bed so as to dissolve discharge products that form therein as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and apparatus for removing the dissolved discharge products from the circulating electrolyte. The electrical power storage system may be used for powering an electric vehicle. An electrical energy system includes an electric utility having electricity generation apparatus and distribution lines, and rechargeable electrical power storage apparatus which provides energy to the electric utility, when required. The rechargeable electrical power storage apparatus may optionally also be used for the regeneration of slurry for replacement of electrically discharged slurry in the electrical power storage system of an electric vehicle.

Claims

1. A rechargeable electrical power storage system employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, the system comprising:

at least one metal-air cell, each cell including;

outer electrode means including air electrode means and being configured to define a liquid permeable housing;

a volume of said active metal particles arranged within said housing so as to define a liquid permeable static bed, which is saturated with the electrolyte solution; and

inner electrode means arranged within said housing so as to be surrounded by said static bed; and

means for causing flow of the electrolyte solution through said housing and said static bed.

2. A system according to claim 1, and wherein said means for causing flow comprises means for pumping.

3. A system according to claim 1, and also including means for replacing said volume of said active metal particles and said electrolyte solution with a fresh volume of said active metal particles and fresh electrolyte solution, respectively, thereby recharging said at least one cell.

4. A system according to claim 1, and wherein said means for causing flow of the electrolyte solution is operative to cause flow of the electrolyte solution at a volumetric flow rate in the range 0.01-0.2 ml per minute per Ampere hour.

5. A system according to claim 1, and wherein a solid discharge product forms within the slurry upon electrical discharge thereof, and the electrolyte solution is selected to react with the solid discharge product so as to cause dissolution thereof.

6. A system according to claim 1, and wherein said means for causing flow comprises means for circulating the electrolyte solution which includes:

means for removing electrolyte solution from said at least one cell;

electrolyte solution storage means located externally of said at least one cell;

means for providing electrolyte solution to said at least one cell from said electrolyte solution storage means; and

means for providing the electrolyte solution removed from said at least one cell to said electrolyte solution storage means, including means for resupplying the removed electrolyte solution to said at least one cell.

7. A system according to claim 6, and wherein excess heat is generated in said at least one cell as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and wherein said electrolyte storage means is operative to store the electrolyte solution at a temperature below the temperature of said at least one cell, said means for providing electrolyte solution to said at least one cell from said electrolyte solution storage means thus being operative to cool said at least one cell.

8. A system according to claim 1, and wherein the electrolyte solution is an aqueous solution which tends to become dried out as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and said means for causing flow is operative to prevent the occurrence of said drying out.

9. A system according to claim 1, and wherein said cell is a zinc-air cell in which zinc oxide is produced during the electrical discharge of the slurry.

10. A system according to claim 5, and also including means for removing the dissolved discharge product from the electrolyte solution downstream of said electrical cell.

11. A system according to claim 10, and wherein said means for removing comprises:

means for receiving electrolyte solution containing the dissolved discharge product; and

means, associated with said means for receiving, for causing precipitation of the dissolved discharge product into a solid.

12. A system according to claim 11, and wherein said means for removing further comprises:

means for resupplying electrolyte solution from which dissolved discharge product has been removed to said means for causing flow; and

means for preventing the reentry of the precipitated solid into the resupplied electrolyte solution.

13. A system according to claim 11, and wherein said means for causing precipitation comprises means for reacting with the dissolved discharge product.

14. A system according to claim 13, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, and the discharge product is zinc oxide.

15. A system according to claim 13, and wherein said metal-air cell is an aluminum-air cell, said active metal particles comprise aluminum, and the discharge product is aluminum oxide.

16. A system according to claim 11, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, the discharge product is zinc oxide, and said means for causing precipitation comprises nucleation site material on which dissolved zinc oxide is operative to precipitate into a solid form.

17. A system according to claim 11, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, the discharge product is zinc oxide, and said means for causing precipitation comprises:

means for directing droplets of the electrolyte solution containing dissolved zinc oxide along a first line of sight; and

means for directing droplets of de-ionized water along a second line of sight intersecting with said first line of sight, thereby causing the formation of zinc oxide in solid form.

18. Electrically powered transport apparatus comprising:

an electrically powered vehicle having vehicle drive means; and

rechargeable electrical power storage means, coupled to said vehicle drive means, and employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, said power storage means comprising;

at least one metal-air cell, each cell including;

outer electrode means including air electrode means and being configured to define a liquid permeable housing;

a volume of said active metal particles arranged within said housing so as to define a liquid permeable static bed which is saturated with the electrolyte solution; and

inner electrode means arranged within said housing so as to be surrounded by said static bed; and

means for causing flow of the electrolyte solution through said housing and said static bed.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, and wherein said means for causing flow comprises means for pumping.

20. Apparatus according to claim 18, and also including means for replacing said volume of said active metal particles and the electrolyte solution with a fresh volume of said active metal particles and fresh electrolyte solution, respectively, thereby recharging said at least one cell.

21. Apparatus according to claim 18, and wherein said means for causing flow of electrolyte solution is operative to cause flow of the electrolyte solution at a volumetric flow rate in the range 0.01-0.2 ml per minute per Ampere hour.

22. Apparatus according to claim 18, and wherein a solid discharge product forms within the slurry upon electrical discharge thereof, and the electrolyte solution is selected to react with the solid discharge product so as to cause dissolution thereof.

23. Apparatus according to claim 18, and wherein said means for causing flow includes:

means for removing electrolyte solution from said at least one cell;

electrolyte solution storage means located externally of said at least one cell;

means for providing electrolyte solution to said at least one cell from said electrolyte solution storage means; and

means for providing the electrolyte solution removed from said at least one cell to said electrolyte solution storage means, including means for resupplying the removed electrolyte solution to said at least one cell.

24. Apparatus according to claim 23, and wherein excess heat is generated in said at least one cell as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and wherein said electrolyte storage means is operative to store the electrolyte solution at a temperature below the temperature of said at least one cell, said means for providing electrolyte solution to said at least one cell from said electrolyte solution storage means thus being operative to cool said at least one cell.

25. Apparatus according to claim 18, and wherein the electrolyte solution is an aqueous solution which tends to become dried out as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and said means for causing flow is operative to prevent the occurrence of said drying out.

26. Apparatus according to claim 22, and also including means for removing the dissolved discharge product from the electrolyte solution downstream of said electrical cell.

27. Apparatus according to claim 26, and wherein said means for removing comprises:

means for receiving electrolyte solution containing the dissolved discharge product; and

means, associated with said means for receiving, for causing precipitation of the dissolved discharge product into a solid.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27, and wherein said means for removing further comprises:

means for resupplying electrolyte solution from which dissolved discharge product has been removed to said means for causing flow; and

means for preventing the reentry of the precipitated solid into the resupplied electrolyte solution.

29. Apparatus according to claim 27, and wherein said means for causing precipitation comprises means for reacting with the dissolved discharge product.

30. Apparatus according to claim 29, and wherein said power storage means is zinc-air power storage means, said active metal particles comprise zinc, and the discharge product is zinc oxide.

31. Apparatus according to claim 29, and wherein said power storage means is aluminum-air power storage means, said active metal particles comprise aluminum, and the discharge product is aluminum oxide.

32. Apparatus according to claim 27, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, the discharge product is zinc oxide, and said means for causing precipitation comprises nucleation site material on which dissolved zinc oxide is operative to precipitate into a solid.

33. Apparatus according to claim 27, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, the discharge product is zinc oxide, and said means for causing precipitation comprises:

means for directing droplets of electrolyte solution containing dissolved zinc oxide along a first line of sight; and

means for directing droplets of de-ionized water along a second line of sight intersecting with said first line of sight, thereby causing the formation of zinc oxide in solid form.

34. A method of extending the useful life of a rechargeable, electrical, metal-air, power storage system employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, said method comprising the following steps:

enclosing a volume of the active metal particles in operative association with at least one air electrode associated with a first current collector, thereby providing a static bed of the active metal particles;

saturating the static bed of active metal particles with electrolyte solution;

arranging a second current collector in operative association with the saturated static bed; and

causing a flow of the electrolyte solution through the static bed, thereby prolonging the useful life of the power storage system.

35. A method according to claim 34, and wherein said step of causing a flow comprises pumping the electrolyte solution through the static bed.

36. A method according to claim 34, and wherein said step of causing flow of the electrolyte solution comprises the step of causing flow of the electrolyte solution at a volumetric flow rate in the range 0.01-0.2 ml per minute per Ampere hour.

37. A method according to claim 34, and wherein a solid discharge product forms within the slurry upon electrical discharge thereof, and said step of causing flow comprises the step of causing the flow of an electrolyte solution selected to react with the solid discharge product so as to cause dissolution thereof.

38. A method according to claim 34, and wherein said step of causing flow includes the following steps:

removing electrolyte solution from the static bed;

providing electrolyte solution to the static bed from electrolyte solution storage means; and

providing the electrolyte solution removed from the static bed to said electrolyte solution storage means, so as to resupply the removed electrolyte solution to the static bed.

39. A method according to claim 38, and wherein excess heat is generated in said at least one cell as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and wherein the electrolyte storage means is operative to store the electrolyte solution at a temperature below the temperature of the static bed, said step of providing electrolyte solution to the static bed from said electrolyte solution storage means thus including the step of cooling the static bed.

40. A method according to claim 34, and wherein the electrolyte solution is an aqueous solution which tends to become dried out as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and said step of causing flow comprises the step of preventing the occurrence of said drying out.

41. A method according to claim 37, and also including the step of removing the dissolved discharge product from the electrolyte solution downstream of said static bed.

42. A method according to claim 41, and wherein said step of removing comprises the following steps:

receiving electrolyte solution containing the dissolved discharge product; and

precipitating the dissolved discharge product into a solid.

43. A method according to claim 42, and wherein said step of removing further comprises the steps of:

resupplying electrolyte solution from which dissolved discharge product has been removed to the static bed; and

preventing the reentry of the precipitated solid into the resupplied electrolyte solution.

44. A method according to claim 42, and wherein said step of precipitating comprises the step of bringing a selected reagent into reactive contact with dissolved discharge product.

45. A method according to claim 42, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, the discharge product is zinc oxide, and said step of precipitating comprises passing the electrolyte solution containing the dissolved zinc oxide through a selected nucleation site material, thereby causing precipitation of the dissolved zinc oxide into a solid.

46. A method according to claim 42, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, the discharge product is zinc oxide, and said step of precipitating comprises the steps of:

directing droplets of electrolyte containing dissolved zinc oxide along a first line of sight; and

directing droplets of de-ionized water along a second line of sight intersecting with said first line of sight, thereby causing the formation of zinc oxide in solid form.

47. An electrical energy system comprising:

an electric utility having electricity generation

apparatus and distribution lines;

a plurality of electric vehicles, each having vehicle drive means;

a plurality of rechargeable electrical power storage units, each coupled to said vehicle drive means of one of said plurality of electric vehicles, and employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, said power storage means having at least one metal-air cell comprising;

outer electrode means including air electrode means and being configured to define a liquid permeable housing;

a volume of said active metal particles arranged within said housing so as to define a liquid permeable static bed which is saturated with the electrolyte solution; and

inner electrode means arranged within said housing so as to be surrounded by said static bed;

means for causing flow of the electrolyte solution through said housing and said static bed; and

electrical power storage means receiving electrical power from the electric utility and supplying electrical power to each of said plurality of rechargeable electrical power storage units and to the electric utility, when required.

48. A system according to claim 47, and wherein said means for causing flow comprises means for pumping.

49. A system according to claim 47, and also including means for replacing said volume of said active metal particles and the electrolyte solution with a fresh volume of said active metal particles and fresh electrolyte solution, respectively, thereby recharging said at least one cell.

50. A system according to claim 47, and wherein said means for causing flow of electrolyte solution is operative to cause flow of the electrolyte solution at a volumetric flow rate in the range 0.01-0.2 ml per minute per Ampere hour.

51. A system accoding to claim 47, and wherein a solid discharge product forms within the slurry upon electrical discharge thereof, and the electrolyte solution is selected to react with the solid discharge product so as to cause dissolution thereof.

52. A system according to claim 47, and wherein said means for causing flow includes:

means for removing electrolyte solution from said at least one cell;

electrolyte solution storage means located externally of said at least one cell;

means for providing electrolyte solution to said at least one cell from said electrolyte solution storage means; and

means for providing the electrolyte solution removed from said at least one cell to said electrolyte solution storage means, including means for resupplying the removed electrolyte solution to said at least one cell.

53. A system according to claim 52, and wherein excess heat is generated in said at least one cell as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and wherein said electrolyte storage means is opertive to store the electrolyte solution at a PG,49 temperature below the temperature of said at least one cell, said means for providing electrolyte solution to said at least one cell from said electrolyte solution storage means thus being operative to cool said at least one cell.

54. A system according to claim 47, and wherein the electrolyte solution is an aqueous solution which tends to become dried out as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and said means for causing flow is operative to prevent the occurrence of said drying out.

55. A system according to claim 51, and also including means for removing the dissolved discharge product from the electrolyte solution downstream of said electrical cell.

56. A system according to claim 55, and wherein said means for removing comprises:

means for receiving electrolyte solution containing the dissolved discharge product; and

means, associated with said means for receiving, for causing precipitation of the dissolved discharge product into a solid.

57. A system according to claim 56, and wherein said means for removing further comprises:

means for resupplying electrolyte solution from which dissolved discharge product has been removed to said means for causing flow; and

means for preventing the re-entry of the precipitated solid into the resupplied electrolyte solution.

58. A system according to claim 56, and wherein said means for causing precipitation comprises means for reacting with the dissolved discharge product.

59. A system according to claim 58, and wherein said cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, and the discharge product is zinc oxide.

60. A system according to claim 58, and wherein said cell is an aluminum-air cell, said active metal particles comprise aluminum, and the discharge product is aluminum oxide.

61. A system according to claim 56, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, the discharge product is zinc oxide, and said means for causing precipitation comprises nucleation site material on which dissolved zinc oxide is operative to precipitate into a solid.

62. A system according to claim 56, and wherein said metal-air cell is a zinc-air cell, said active metal particles comprise zinc, the discharge product is zinc oxide, and said means for causing precipitation comprises:

means for directing droplets of electrolyte solution containing dissolved zinc oxide along a first line of sight; and

means for directing droplets of de-ionized water along a second line of sight intersecting with said first line of sight, thereby causing the formation of zinc oxide in solid form.

63. A system according to claim 47, and wherein said electric power storage means is operative to receive electrical power from the electrical utility at off-peak times and to provide electrical power to the electrical utility at peak demand times.

64. A system according to claim 47, and wherein said electric power storage means includes surge switching means for enabling the electric power storage means to absorb undesired power surges from the electrical utility in real time or near real time.

65. A system according to claim 47, and wherein said electric power storage means is operative to provide electrical power to the electrical utility at peak and super peak demand.

66. A system according to claim 47, and wherein said electric power storage means is operative to provide electrical power to the electrical utility at real or near real time to serve as a spinning reserve.

67. A system according to claim 47, and wherein said electric power storage means includes electrical power storage units employing a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution as a rechargeable electrical energy storage medium.

68. A system according to claim 67, and wherein said plurality of rechargeable electrical power storage units coupled to said vehicle drive means are employed for relatively more frequent charging and discharging, while said electrical power storage units of said electric power storage means are employed for less frequent charging and discharging.

69. A system according to claim 47, and also comprising an electric vehicle recharging depot including apparatus for removing electrically discharged slurry from vehicles and supplying it to a storage facility to await off-peak recharging and means for supplying recharged slurry to vehicles from the electric power storage means.