Electroconversion cell

• US 5,804,329 A
• Filed: 12/28/1995
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Millennium Cell Inc.
• Original Assignee: GP Strategies Corporation (Learning Technologies Group Plc)
• Inventors: Amendola, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Maples, John S.
• Application Number:
  US08/579,781
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 429/105, 429/101, 429/41, 429/34, 429/12, 429/210
• US Class Current: 429/416
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 11/005 for hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/36 Accumulators not provided for in groups H01M10/05-H01M10/34
• 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 4/5825 Oxygenated metallic salts or polyanionic structures, e.g. borates, phosphates, silicates, olivines
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/661 Metal or alloys, e.g. alloy coatings H01M4/669 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/48 with bipolar electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/188 by recharging of redox couples containing fluids; Redox flow type batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

Boron redox species can provide electrochemical cells for battery or energy storage systems that are characterized by favorable specific energy, energy density, capital and operating cost, recharge efficiency, safety, environmental impact, serviceability and longevity.

Claims

1. An electrochemical storage medium comprising a carrier mixed with a borohydride compound, the borohydride compound being oxidizable to an oxidized boron-containing compound concurrent with the generation of an electric current, the storage medium being in electrical contact with an electrode for carrying current generated during that oxidation.

2. The storage medium of claim 1 in which the oxidized compound is a borate (BO₂)^-.

3. The storage medium of claim 1 in which the carrier is an aqueous solution.

4. The storage medium of claim 1 in which the carrier is a non-aqueous solution.

5. The storage medium of claim 4 in which the carrier is a non-aqueous solution comprising a liquid that dissolves the compound.

6. The storage medium of claim 5 in which the carrier is selected from the group consisting of:

anhydrous ammonia;

amines;

non-amine organic bases;

alcohols;

alkene carbonates; and

glycols.

7. The storage medium of claim 5 in which the carrier is selected from the group consisting of:

dimethylformamide;

dimethylsulfoxide;

tripropylamine;

pyridine;

quinoline;

triethanolamine;

monethanolamine;

ethylene glycol;

propylene glycol;

methanol;

ethanol;

ethylene carbonate; and

propylene carbonate.

8. The storage medium of claim 5 in which the non-aqueous solution comprises a solubilizer or a conductivity enhancer.

9. The storage medium of claim 5 in which the non-aqueous solution comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of EDTA, crown ethers, cryptates, and quaternary ammonium salts.

10. The storage medium of claim 1 positioned to be the anode of a battery.

11. A battery comprising an anode and a cathode in electrical communication,

the anode comprising a carrier mixed with a borohydride compound, the borohydride compound being oxidizable to an oxidized boron-containing compound concurrent with the discharge of the battery.

12. The battery of claim 11 in which the oxidized compound is a borate (BO₂)^-.

13. The battery claim 11 in which the carrier is a solution.

14. The battery of claim 11 in which the carrier is an aqueous mixture.

15. The battery of claim 11 in which the carrier is a non-aqueous mixture.

16. The battery of claim 11 in which the cathode comprises a catholyte which includes an oxidizing agent.

17. The battery of claim 16 in which the oxidizing agent is selected from:

air;

O₂ ;

compounds comprising oxygen and a halogen; and

X₂, where X is a halogen.

18. The battery of claim 17 in which the oxidizing agent is perchlorate (ClO₄^-), chlorate (ClO₃^-), chlorite (ClO₂^-), hypochlorite (OCl^-), chlorine (Cl₂), bromine (Br₂), bromate (BrO₃^-), or iodate (IO₃^-).

19. The battery of claim 16 in which the oxidizing agent is a) MnO₄ !^- ;

b) FeO₄ !^-2 ;

c) CeOH(NO₃)₃ ;

d) Ce(NO₃)₆ !^-2 ;

e) Fe(CN)₄ !^-3 ;

f) CrO₄ !^-2 ;

g) SnO₃ !^-2 ;

h) BiO₃ !^- ;

i) MnO₂ ;

j) Ag₂ O;

k) AgO;

l) CeO₂ ;

m) PbO₂ ;

n) NiO(OH);

o) NiO₂ ;

p) CoO(OH);

q) NO₃ !^- ;

r) NO₂ !^- ;

s) S₂ O₈ !^-2 ;

t) compounds containing Cu(III), Tl(III), Hg (II), Se (VI), or Te(VI);

or u) R(NO₂)_n where R is an alkyl, aryl, or arylakyl organic group and n=1-6.

20. The battery of claim 16 in which the oxidizing agent is trinitrobenzoic acid, hexanitrobenzene, or trinitrobenzene.

21. A battery as in claim 11 in which the anode comprises an anolyte, the cathode comprises a catholyte, and the anolyte and catholyte are separated by a permiselective membrane.

22. A battery as in claim 21 in which the membrane is an anionic membrane.

23. A battery as in claim 21 where the membrane is a cationic membrane.

24. A battery as in claim 21 where the membrane is bipolar.

25. A battery as in claim 11 where the cathode is an air breathing cathode.

26. A battery as in claim 11 which comprises a catholyte which can be oxidized by air to produce an agent that then oxidizes borohydride to borate with the generation of electrical current.

27. A battery as in claim 26 wherein the catholyte is reoxidized by air in a cycle after it has generated electricity by oxidizing the borohydride, thus allowing its reuse.

28. A battery as in claim 26 wherein the catholyte comprises of oxidizing agents that can be oxidized by air in basic solution.

29. A battery as in claim 28 wherein the catholyte contains iodate (IO₃) and I^-.

30. A battery as in claim 28 in which the catholyte contains ferricyanide and ferrocyanide.

31. A battery as in claim 28 in which the catholyte contains chromate and Cr+3.

32. A battery as in claim 28 in which the catholyte contains manganese at valence +2 and +3.

33. A battery claim 28 in which the catholyte contains tin at valence +2 and +4.

34. A battery as in claim 28 in which the catholyte contains Cobalt at valence +2 and +3.

35. A battery as in claim 28 in which the catholyte comprises a catalyst to aid the reoxidation of the oxidation agent to the higher oxidation state by air.

36. A battery as in claim 26 comprising a chamber separate from the cathode compartment in which reoxidation of the catholyte takes place.

37. A battery as in any one of claims 26-36 comprising two units, one that is the direct air breather, and another unit which comprises a catholyte which can be oxidized by air and can then oxidize borohydride to borate with the generation of electrical current.

38. A battery as in claim 11 or claim 26 which contains a bipolar electrode.

39. A battery as in claim 11 or claim 26, further comprising external storage tanks for storage of anolyte, catholyte or both anolyte and catholyte.

40. The battery of claim 11 or claim 26 comprising a cell which is used both to generate electricity from the oxidation of the borohydride and which is physically separated from a second cell for generating the borohydride from the oxidized compound.

41. The battery as in claim 11 or claim 26 comprising a cell which is used both to generate electricity from the oxidation of the borohydride and to generate the borohydride from the oxidized compound.

42. A battery as in claim 11 or claim 26 comprising a controller connected to at least one source of a reactant, the controller determining the transport of the reactant to the anode or the cathode, the battery further comprising a monitor to determine a battery characteristic and to produce a signal to the controller in response to monitored values of the characteristic.

43. A battery as in claim 42 where the monitor comprises at least one probe which generates an input signal responsive to a characteristic selected from the group consisting of ORP, conductivity, voltage, current and power output, ion concentration, pH, index of refraction, colorimetric, COD, turbidity and density, the input signal being transmitted to an electronic processor, the processor being connected to the controller which controls flow into a battery compartment.

44. A battery as in claim 11 or claim 26 which comprises an electrode comprising a conductive substrate which is coated.

45. A battery as in claim 11 or claim 26 which comprises an electrode, the electrode comprising a substance selected from the group consisting of:

a) an alloy of bismuth, thallium, cadmium, tin, lead, gallium, or indium;

b) mercury, mercury amalgamated with other metals, or mercury coated on a conductive substrate;

c) tellurium or tellurides.

46. A battery as in claim 11 or claim 26 which comprises an electrode, the electrode comprising a material to enhance corrosion resistance.

47. A battery as in claim 45 in which the electrode comprises a material to enhance corrosion resistance.

48. The battery of claim 45 in which the electrode is a bipolar electrode comprising two sides, one of the sides being coated with said substance, and a second side being coated with a material of low oxygen overvoltage.

49. A battery as in claim 45 in which the electrode is a bipolar electrode having two sides, one of the sides being coated with said substance, and a second side having an air breathing electrode.

50. A battery as in claim 38 in which the bipolar electrode comprises a sheet of conductive material.

51. A battery as in claim 50 in which the conductive material is stainless steel or gold plated copper.

52. A battery as in claim 11 comprising an electrode having a surface whose texture is smooth.

53. A battery as in claim 11 configured as a sealed unit.

54. A battery as in claim 53 in which the battery is chosen from the group consisting of:

a button for a hearing aid;

AAA;

A;

B;

C;

D;

9 volt;

a computer battery; and

a cellular phone battery.

55. A battery as in claim 11 characterized by voltage and current production suitable for ignition and starter motor operation in a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine.

56. A battery as in claim 11 or 26 in which at least one of the cells is configured to be suitable for installation on a vehicle that uses electricity either partially or entirely to propel the vehicle.

57. A battery as in claim 37 in which at least one of the cells is configured to be suitable for installation on a vehicle that uses electricity either partially or entirely to propel the vehicle.

58. A battery as in claim 11 or 26 configured to be suitable for storage of electricity for electric utility load leveling.

59. A battery as in claim 37 configured to be suitable for storage of electricity for electric utility load leveling.

60. The battery of claim 45 in which the electrode is a bipolar electrode comprising two sides, one of the sides being coated with said substance, and a second side being coated with gold or iridium oxide.

61. A battery as in claim 11 comprising an electrode having a high surface area.

62. The battery as in claim 61 in which the high surface area is foam metal, tubes, cylindrical fibers, or powder.

63. The battery as in claim 11 comprising a coated electrode.

64. A battery as in claim 11 comprising a catalyst to catalyze an electrochemical reaction.

65. The battery of claim 11 further characterized in that the battery is rechargeable when an electrical potential is applied to the anode to re-generate the borohydride compound from the oxidized boron-containing compound.

66. The battery of claim 11 or claim 65 further characterized in that the battery further comprises an inhibitor to inhibit release of hydrogen gas.

67. The batter of claim 66 in which the inhibitor comprises bismuth, thallium, cadmium, tin, lead, gallium, or indium.

68. The batter of claim 66 in which the inhibitor is mercury or mercury amalgamated with or coated on other metals.

69. The batter of claim 66 in which the inhibitor is tellurium or a telluride.