Process for reducing unwanted specific electro chemical conversion in rechargeable batteries

• US 5,436,087 A
• Filed: 06/14/1994
• Issued: 07/25/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fa. Elin Energieanwendung Gesellschaft M.B.H., Vionx Energy Corp.
• Original Assignee: Fa. Elin Energieanwendung Gesellschaft M.B.H.
• Inventors: Tomazic, Gerd
• Primary Examiner(s): Skapars, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US08/244,714
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 429/48, 429/50, 429/51, 429/105, 429/67, 429/72, 429/81, 429/210, 429/14, 429/15, 429/199
• US Class Current: 429/50
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4214 Arrangements for moving electrodes or electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/085 Zinc-halogen cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A process for reducing unwanted specific electrochemical conversion in rechargeable batteries with circulating electrolytes and bipolar electrodes with diaphragms therebetween to form anolyte or catholyte chambers. When a working element such as a motor is electrically disconnected from the battery, a regulating and/or control mechanism may also be disconnected and circulation of the electrolyte is stopped. Additionally, or alternatively, the battery may be intermittently charged during disconnection of the working element and stoppage of the electrolytic circulation.

Claims

1. A process for reducing an undesirable specific electrochemical conversion in rechargeable batteries and/or cell packages having circulating electrolytes, bipolar electrodes connected in series, diaphragms disposed between the bipolar electrodes to form anolyte or catholyte chambers through which the appropriate electrolyte respectively flows, which are electrically connected with working means and electrical regulating and/or control elements, said process comprising:

electrically disconnecting the working means and the regulating and/or control elements;

stopping the circulation of the electrolytes while the working means are electrically disconnected; and

at least intermittently charging the battery and/or cell packages while the working means are electrically disconnected and the circulation of the electrolytes is stopped.

2. A process in accordance with claim 1, further comprising intermittently circulating the electrolyte containing an oxidized anion, when the working means are disconnected.

3. A process in accordance with claim 1, further comprising building up different pressures in anolyte and catholyte circulations with respect to one another.

4. A process in accordance with claim 1, further comprising controlling the maximum pressure in the anolyte and/or catholyte circulation making up the electrolytic circulation.

5. A process in accordance with claim 1, further comprising pressurizing the anolyte and/or catolyte circulation by controlling the rpm of pumps or working means thereof.

6. A process in accordance with claim 1, further comprising controlling the pressure of the electrolyte circulation(s) by use of flow throttles.

7. A process in accordance with claim 1, further comprising electrically disconnecting a parallel arrangement of the batteries and/or cell packages, during the stoppage of the working means, and reconnecting the circuit(s) for operating the working means.

8. A process in accordance with claim 1, further comprising introducing an electrolyte which is low in the electrochemically active element, molecule and/or compound, into the anolyte chambers during the stoppage of the working means.

9. A process in accordance with claim 1, further comprising interrupting the electrical connection of the electrolyte chambers, via the electrolyte supply and drain lines during the stoppage of the working means.

10. A process according to claim 2, wherein the oxidized anion comprises bromine anion.

11. A process in accordance with claim 6, further comprising simultaneous use of the flow throttles as static oxidizing elements.

12. A process in accordance with claim 8, wherein the electrolyte is low in bromine concentration.