US4159366A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrochemical cell for rebalancing redox flow system
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
•
Filing: 1978-06-09
•
Granted: 1979-06-26
•
Expires: 1998-06-09
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an electrically rechargeable REDOX cell or battery system including one or more rebalancing cells. Each rebalancing cell is divided into two chambers by an ion permeable membrane. The first chamber is fed with gaseous hydrogen and a cathode fluid which is circulated through the cathode chamber of the REDOX cell is also passed through the second chamber of the rebalancing cell. Electrochemical reactions take place on the surface of inert electrodes in the first and second chambers to rebalance the electrochemical capacity of the anode and cathode fluids of the REDOX system.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence H. Thaller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/18; H01M8/184; H01M8/188; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
In a REDOX cell system utilizing an anode fluid and a cathode fluid wherein hydrogen ions and chloride ions are exchanged through a first ion exchange membrane separating the fluids, the improvement comprising: a rebalancing cell having an anode compartment and a cathode compartment separated by a second ion exchange membrane; an inert electrode disposed in each of said anode and cathode compartments of said rebalancing cell and connected to respective electrical terminals to provide electrical output to a load connected therebetween; means for directing a portion of said cathode fluid of said REDOX cell through said cathode compartment of said rebalancing cell; a supply of hydrogen gas; and means for directing hydrogen gas from said supply of hydrogen gas to said anode compartment of said rebalancing cell to rebalance the charge of said anode and cathode fluids of said REDOX cell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a REDOX cell system utilizing an anode fluid and a cathode fluid wherein hydrogen ions and chloride ions are exchanged through a first ion exchange membrane separating the fluids, the improvement comprising: a rebalancing cell having an anode compartment and a cathode compartment separated by a second ion exchange membrane; an inert electrode disposed in each of said anode and cathode compartments of said rebalancing cell and connected to respective electrical terminals to provide electrical output to a load connected therebetween; means for directing a portion of said cathode fluid of said REDOX cell through said cathode compartment of said rebalancing cell; a supply of hydrogen gas; and means for directing hydrogen gas from said supply of hydrogen gas to said anode compartment of said rebalancing cell to rebalance the charge of said anode and cathode fluids of said REDOX cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The REDOX cell system of claim 1 wherein the inert electrode in the first compartment of the rebalancing cell is in direct contact with the ion exchange membrane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The REDOX cell system of claim 1 and including means for removing nonreacted gas from the first compartment of the rebalancing cell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The REDOX cell system of claim 3 and including means for collecting said nonreacted gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The REDOX cell system of claim 1 wherein said anode fluid is an aqueous HCl solution having chromium chloride dissolved therein; and said cathode fluid is an aqueous HCl solution having iron chloride dissolved therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The REDOX cell system of claim 1 wherein said supply of hydrogen is an independent source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The REDOX cell system of claim 1 wherein said supply of hydrogen gas is an anode fluid source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The REDOX cell system of claim 7 and including an independent source of hydrogen communicating with the anode chamber of the rebalancing cell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The REDOX cell system of claim 1 wherein said second ion exchange membrane passes only anions.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of balancing the charge in the anode and cathode fluids of a REDOX cell of the type wherein hydrogen and chloride ions are exchanged through a first ion exchange membrane separating the fluids comprising the steps of: providing a rebalancing cell with a second ion exchange membrane; passing said cathode fluid over one side of said second ion exchange membrane; disposing a first inert electrode adjacent said second ion exchange membrane in said cathode fluid; supplying hydrogen gas to the other side of said second ion exchange membrane; disposing a second inert electrode in contact with the other side of said second ion exchange membrane in said hydrogen gas; and electrically connecting an electrical device to be energized between said first and second inert electrodes; whereby ions are exchanged through said second ion exchange membrane to rebalance the charge of said REDOX cell fluids.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of balancing the charge in the anode and cathode fluids of a REDOX cell of the type wherein hydrogen and chloride ions are exchanged through a first ion exchange membrane separating the fluids comprising the steps of: providing a rebalancing cell with a second ion exchange membrane; passing said cathode fluid over one side of said second ion exchange membrane; disposing a first inert electrode adjacent said second ion exchange membrane in said cathode fluid; supplying hydrogen gas to the other side of said second ion exchange membrane; disposing a second inert electrode in contact with the other side of said second ion exchange membrane in said hydrogen gas; and electrically connecting an electrical device to be energized between said first and second inert electrodes; whereby ions are exchanged through said second ion exchange membrane to rebalance the charge of said REDOX cell fluids.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said second inert electrode is attached to said other side of said ion exchange membrane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said anode fluid is an aqueous HCl solution having chromium chloride dissolved therein; and, said cathode fluid is an aqueous HCl solution having iron chloride dissolved therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10 and including the step of controlling the rate of hydrogen flow to said other side of the second membrane.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10 and including the step of controlling the pressure of hydrogen flowing to said other side of the second membrane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said second membrane is an anion exchange membrane.
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) | 1982-06-25 | 1982-12-25 | 1983-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-06-25 | 1986-12-25 | 1987-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-06-25 | 1990-12-25 | 1991-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |