Electrochemical device and methods for energy conversion

• US 7,943,271 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2009
• Issued: 05/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sofc Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: CellTech Power LLC
• Inventors: Bai, Wei, Tao, Tao T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yuan; Dah-Wei
• Assistant Examiner(s): Martin; Angela J.
• Application Number:
  US12/625,881
• Publication Number:
  US 20100136463A1
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 429/523
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/08 composed of a half-cell of a fuel-cell type and a half-cell of the secondary-cell type
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/90 Selection of catalytic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/9025 Oxides specially used in fuel cell operating at high temperature, e.g. SOFC
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/921 Alloys or mixtures with metallic elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1246 the electrolyte consisting of oxides
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/243 Grouping of unit cells of tubular or cylindrical configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2432 Grouping of unit cells of planar configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/2484 characterised by external manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrochemical device. The device features an anode constructed of materials such that the device can be chemically recharged. In addition, the device is capable of switching between operating as a fuel cell or as a battery. The switch can occur without cessation of electrical output. In certain aspects of the invention, the device is capable of operating at a temperature of less than 1000° C. Other aspects feature a liquid anode which allows higher output, dispersion of fuel and minimal stresses in an interface comprising the anode. Preferably the anode is a liquid at a temperature of less than 1000° C. The invention also relates to methods for energy conversion in which a continual electrical output can be produced in both the presence of fuel without anode consumption or the absence of fuel.

Claims

1. An electrochemical device comprising:

a battery comprising an anode;

wherein the battery can be converted into a fuel cell by supplying, to the anode, a fuel comprising a material different from the anode, the anode comprising a liquid comprising tin during operation of the electrochemical device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the anode is chemically rechargeable.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the anode consists essentially of tin.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the battery produces electricity in the absence of fuel by oxidizing the anode and the battery produces electricity in the presence of fuel without anode consumption.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the fuel comprises a carbonaceous fuel.

3. A method for energy conversion, comprising:

providing a battery; and

supplying a fuel to an anode in the battery, the fuel being of a different material than the anode, wherein the anode comprises a liquid comprising tin during operation of the battery.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of supplying the fuel to the anode causes the battery to switch to a fuel cell.

9. The device of claim 3, wherein the battery is capable of producing electricity in the absence of fuel by oxidizing the anode.

10. The device of claim 3, wherein, in the presence of supplied fuel, the battery produces electricity without anode consumption.

11. The device of claim 3, wherein exposure of the anode to the fuel causes the anode to be chemically recharged.

12. The device of claim 3, wherein the anode consists essentially of tin.

13. The device of claim 3, wherein the fuel comprises a carbonaceous fuel.

5. A method for energy conversion, comprising:

providing a fuel cell; and

switching the fuel cell to a battery by ceasing a supply of a fuel to an anode in the fuel cell, the anode comprising a liquid comprising tin during operation of the battery.

14. The device of claim 5, wherein the anode consists essentially of tin.