ZINC-AIR BATTERY

• US 20160261012A1
• Filed: 02/01/2016
• Published: 09/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Phinergy Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Phinergy Ltd.
• Inventors: Goldstein, Jonathan R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,997,814 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• 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 50/70 Arrangements for stirring or circulating the electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/77 with external circulating path
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A zinc-air cell, a battery which is a low weight, low volume, or higher energy system, or a combination thereof and an apparatus for recharging the same are disclosed.

Claims

1. A zinc-air cell comprising

a zinc-containing anode;

at least one porous structure capable of absorbing oxygen from the air as the cathode of said cell;

a casing in which said anode and cathode are positioned, said casing further comprising an alkaline electrolyte fluid;

an inlet and outlet in said casing, whereby said inlet and outlet are constructed so as to permit exchange of said electrolyte fluid in said cell with an electrolyte fluid located in an external reservoir; and

wherein said anode and cathode are electrically connectible across a load.

2. The air cell of claim 1, wherein said zinc-containing anode comprising:

at least one electro-conducting porous support for zinc incorporation there-within;

a porous polymer-based mat positioned proximally to said porous support.

3. The air cell of claim 2, further comprising at least a first separator positioned within said cell between said anode and said cathode.

4. The air cell of claim 2, wherein said cell further comprises an outer coating, mesh or wire assembly positioned proximally to said porous polymer-based mat and distal to said porous support and comprising an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution in the presence of zinc.

5. The air cell of claim 2, wherein said porous polymer-based mat has a thickness of between 30-1000 μ

m.

6. The air cell of claim 2, wherein said porous polymer-based mat is comprised of teflon, nylon, polypropylene or polyethylene.

7. The air cell of claim 2, wherein said porous support comprises a metal or a metal alloy.

8. The air cell of claim 2, wherein said porous support comprises graphite/carbon sponge.

9. The zinc-air cell of claim 1, further comprising an agitator.

10. The zinc-air cell of claim 1, further comprising:

a slurry consisting of zinc and alkaline electrolyte placed within said casing;

a separator positioned between said porous structure and said slurry;

elongated conductors placed in said casing and in contact with said slurry;

at least one porous tube which is placed in said casing, in contact with said slurry, and spans said casing such that a portion of said porous tube protrudes from said casing;

wherein said porous tube is so constructed so as to facilitate alkaline electrolyte passage there-through; and

whereby said inlet and outlet permit introduction and exchange of said slurry, introduction and exchange of said electrolyte fluid or a combination thereof in said cell with a slurry, an electrolyte fluid, or a combination thereof located in an external reservoir.

11. The zinc-air cell of claim 10, wherein said porous tube is comprised of Teflon, nylon, polyethylene or polypropylene.

12. The zinc-air cell of claim 1, wherein said zinc-air cell is located on-board a vehicle and wherein said external reservoir is located off-board said vehicle.

13. An apparatus for charging a zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery, said apparatus comprising:

a reservoir comprising a zinc-containing electrolyte fluid;

an export feed operationally connected to said reservoir;

a fluid drainer;

whereby;

said apparatus is operationally connectible to said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery for which charging is desired;

said reservoir of said apparatus is located externally to said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery for which charging is desired and said export feed allows for the delivery of said zinc-containing electrolyte fluid from said reservoir to said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery for which charging is desired;

said fluid drainer is operationally connectible to said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery and facilitates draining of at least a portion of an electrolyte fluid located in a discharged or not fully charged zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery; and

said drained electrolyte fluid is conveyed to said external reservoir or to a discharge reservoir;

said apparatus further comprising and operationally connected to said zinc-air cell comprising;

a casing;

at least one porous structure capable of absorbing oxygen from the air as the cathode of said cell placed within said casing;

a slurry consisting essentially of zinc and electrolyte solution placed within said casing;

a separator positioned between said porous structure and said slurry;

at least one current collecting electrode placed in said casing and in contact with said slurry;

an inlet and outlet in said casing;

whereby said inlet and outlet are constructed so as to permit exchange of said slurry, introduction and exchange of electrolyte fluid or a combination thereof in said cell with a slurry, an electrolyte fluid, or a combination thereof located in said reservoir.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said zinc-air cell further comprising one or more porous tubes placed in said casing and in contact with said slurry, facilitating electrolyte solution passage there-through.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said slurry comprises metallic zinc at a concentration of 15-40% by volume.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said slurry contains potassium hydroxide in aqueous solution at a concentration of 25-45 w/w %.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said apparatus is operationally connected to a battery comprising two or more of said zinc-air cells.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said two or more zinc-air cells are hydraulically connected.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said zinc-containing alkaline electrolyte fluid in said reservoir is in the form of a slurry.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said zinc-air cell further comprises an agitator.

21. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said apparatus further comprises a regeneration unit operationally connected to said reservoir, said regeneration unit comprising:

a cathode for zinc deposition; and

an anode for hydrogen oxidation.

22. A method for recharging a zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery, said method comprising:

contacting a zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery with the apparatus of claim 13, such that;

said export feed of said apparatus is operationally connected to said zinc-air cell and electrolyte fluid can thereby be conveyed from said reservoir to said zinc-air cell; and

said fluid drainer is operationally connected to said zinc-air cell and electrolyte fluid from said zinc-air cell can be conveyed out of said zinc-air cell thereby;

promoting conveyance of zinc-containing electrolyte fluid from said reservoir to said zinc-air cell via said export feed; and

promoting conveyance of electrolyte fluid from said zinc-air cell to said reservoir or to a second discharge reservoir via said fluid drainer;

and wherein said electrolyte fluid conveyed from said reservoir to said air cell is a zinc-containing slurry and said electrolyte fluid conveyed from said zinc-air cell to said reservoir or to a second discharge reservoir is a zinc-containing slurry.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said apparatus further comprises an agitator.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein said method facilitates the collection of particulates or aggregated by-products sinking or present at the bottom of said cell and facilitates cleansing of the surfaces of said cell.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein said apparatus further comprises a regeneration unit operationally connected to said reservoir, said regeneration unit comprising:

a cathode for zinc deposition; and

an anode for hydrogen oxidation;

wherein said method comprising zinc regeneration from zinc oxide in said regeneration unit, said zinc regeneration comprises the formation of zinc on said cathode and the oxidation of hydrogen on said anode.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said hydrogen is supplied to said anode by reforming of natural gas.

27. An apparatus for charging a zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery, said apparatus comprising:

a reservoir, said reservoir comprising;

i. an alkaline electrolyte fluid containing dissolved zinc oxide; and

ii. solid phase zinc oxide;

an export feed operationally connected to said reservoir;

a fluid drainer;

whereby;

said apparatus further comprising and operationally connectible to said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery for which charging is desired;

said reservoir of said apparatus is located externally to said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery for which charging is desired and said export feed allows for the delivery of said alkaline electrolyte fluid containing dissolved zinc oxide from said reservoir to said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery for which charging is desired;

said fluid drainer is operationally connectible to said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery and facilitates draining of at least a portion of an electrolyte fluid located in a discharged or not fully charged zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery in said device; and

said drained electrolyte fluid is conveyed to said reservoir or said drained electrolyte fluid is conveyed to a second discharge reservoir;

wherein said zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery comprising;

a casing;

at least one porous structure capable of absorbing oxygen from the air as the cathode of said cell placed within said casing;

an anode placed within said casing;

an inlet and outlet in said casing;

whereby said inlet and outlet are constructed so as to permit introduction and exchange of said electrolyte fluid in said cell with an electrolyte fluid, located in said reservoir,

wherein;

said apparatus further comprises a regeneration unit operationally connected to said reservoir, said regeneration unit comprising;

a cathode for zinc deposition; and

an anode for hydrogen oxidation;

and/or wherein;

said zinc-air cell further comprises an agitator.

28. A method for recharging a zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery, said method comprising:

contacting a zinc-air cell or zinc-air battery with the apparatus of claim 27, such that;

said export feed of said apparatus is operationally connected to said zinc-air cell and electrolyte fluid can thereby be conveyed from said reservoir to said zinc-air cell; and

said fluid drainer is operationally connected to said zinc-air cell and electrolyte fluid from said zinc-air cell can be conveyed out of said zinc-air cell thereby;

promoting conveyance of said alkaline electrolyte fluid from said reservoir to said zinc-air cell via said export feed; and

promoting conveyance of electrolyte fluid from said zinc-air cell to said reservoir or to a second discharge reservoir via said fluid drainer;

wherein said apparatus further comprises a power supply and said method further comprises applying current to said zinc-air cell.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said power supply comprises a DC charger.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein said zinc-air cell comprises auxiliary electrodes and said power supply applies current to said auxiliary electrodes.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein said method facilitates the collection of particulates or aggregated by-products sinking or present at the bottom of said cell and cleansing of the surfaces of said cell.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein said method comprising zinc regeneration from zinc oxide in said regeneration unit, wherein said zinc regeneration comprises the formation of zinc on said cathode and the oxidation of hydrogen on said anode.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said hydrogen is supplied to said anode by reforming of natural gas.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein the steps of promoting conveyance of zinc-containing electrolyte fluid from said reservoir to said zinc-air cell via said export feed;

and promoting conveyance of electrolyte fluid from said zinc-air cell to said apparatus via said fluid drainer, precedes the step of applying current to said zinc-air cell, thus allowing cleaning of zinc oxide from said anode.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein discharge of said zinc-air is conducted in cycles such that:

said zinc-air cell is only partially discharged each cycle;

the resultant zinc oxide product on the anode is cleaned off after each partial discharge cycle by flowing electrolyte from said reservoir;

electrical charging by said current is commenced once every few cycles.