US3920474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of operating a fuel cell using sulfide fuel
Assignee: REDOXX ENERGY Corp
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Filing: 1972-05-25
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1992-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A fuel cell with all-liquid feed and effluent is made feasible through the use of fuels comprising a liquid source of sulfide ion. The fuel cell comprises anolyte and catholyte compartments, and anode and cathode electrodes. The compartments are separated by an ion-transfer or mechanically porous membrane or the like. Gas producing reactions are suppressed through competing liquid product reactions.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Ralph Zito
- 👤 Jr Lawrence J Kunz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:40
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M4/00; H01M4/86; H01M4/96; H01M8/00; H01M8/22; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A METHOD FOR OPERATING FUEL CELL INCLUDING AN ANODE AND CATHODE CONTAINING GRAPHITE-PLASTIC CONDUCTIVE SUBSTRATES COATED WITH ACTIVE CARBON PARTICLES, AN ANOLYTE AND CATHOLYTE COMPARTMENT AND ION EXCHANGE MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID ANOLYTE AND CATHOLYTE COMPARTMENTS, SAID ANOLYTE COMPRISING A LIQUID SOURCE OF MONSULFIDE ION IN A CONCENTRATION IN EXCESS OF ONE NORMAL DURING A PORTION OF ELECTROCHEMICAL CYCLING, SAID CATHOLYTE COMPRISING A LIQUID OXIDIZING AGENT, COMPRISING THE STEP OF FLOWING SAID ANOLYTE INTO AND OUT OF SAID ANOLYTE COMPARTMENT AT A RATE AND CONCENTRATION TO MAINTAIN SULFIDE IONS IN EXCESS OF POLARIZATION PREVENTING CONCENTRATION TO DISSOLVE FREE SULFUR FORMED IN THE COURSE OF ELECTROCHEMICAL ACTION OF THE CELL AND FLOWING SAID CATHOLYTE INTO AND OUT OF SAID CATHOLYTE COMPARTMENT TO PRODUCE A DRAIN RATE OF ABOUT 1.0 VOLT AND ABOVE 0.5 AMPERE PER SQUARE INCH.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A METHOD FOR OPERATING FUEL CELL INCLUDING AN ANODE AND CATHODE CONTAINING GRAPHITE-PLASTIC CONDUCTIVE SUBSTRATES COATED WITH ACTIVE CARBON PARTICLES, AN ANOLYTE AND CATHOLYTE COMPARTMENT AND ION EXCHANGE MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID ANOLYTE AND CATHOLYTE COMPARTMENTS, SAID ANOLYTE COMPRISING A LIQUID SOURCE OF MONSULFIDE ION IN A CONCENTRATION IN EXCESS OF ONE NORMAL DURING A PORTION OF ELECTROCHEMICAL CYCLING, SAID CATHOLYTE COMPRISING A LIQUID OXIDIZING AGENT, COMPRISING THE STEP OF FLOWING SAID ANOLYTE INTO AND OUT OF SAID ANOLYTE COMPARTMENT AT A RATE AND CONCENTRATION TO MAINTAIN SULFIDE IONS IN EXCESS OF POLARIZATION PREVENTING CONCENTRATION TO DISSOLVE FREE SULFUR FORMED IN THE COURSE OF ELECTROCHEMICAL ACTION OF THE CELL AND FLOWING SAID CATHOLYTE INTO AND OUT OF SAID CATHOLYTE COMPARTMENT TO PRODUCE A DRAIN RATE OF ABOUT 1.0 VOLT AND ABOVE 0.5 AMPERE PER SQUARE INCH.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flowing means recirculate effluent anolyte and catholyte back to their respective compartments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said catholyte is acidic and the anolyte is basic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein said catholyte comprises ferric chloride.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said anolyte is saturated with sulfide solute and comprises additIonal solid sulfide available for later dissolving.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein said catholyte comprises hydrogen peroxide mixed with a 20-50% sulfuric acid solution, and a hydrogen peroxide source of higher concentration than the hydrogen peroxide in the catholyte compartment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said source of sulfide ion is a solution of sulfide salt in a polar solvent of at least 2.0 normality and no greater than 5.0 normality.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 7 wherein said polar solvent is water and said dissolved salt comprises an alkali metal sulfide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said dissolved salt comprises sodium monosulfide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |