US4663249A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrochemical power generation
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corp
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Filing: 1986-03-03
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Granted: 1987-05-05
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Expires: 2006-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A power generation system utilizing an electrochemical cell comprising a reactive metal anode, a cathode spaced from the anode and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of the reactive metal is disclosed. The hydroxide concentration in the electrolyte is controlled by contacting the electrolyte with acids or salts thereof having a first anion comprising at least two elements with at least one of the elements being a non-metal. Upon contact with the electrolyte, the anion hydrolyzes to yield at least second or third anions which react with the hydroxide of the reactive metal to yield compounds thereof which are insoluble in the electrolyte. The insoluble compounds are separated from the electrolyte and the electrolyte is recirculated to the electrochemical cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Arnold Z. Gordon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:59
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/26; H01M6/50; H01M6/5077
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A power generation system comprising: an electrochemical cell including a reactive metal anode, a cathode spaced from said anode, and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said reactive metal; a source of an acid or salt thereof having a first anion comprising at least two elements with at least one of said elements being a non-metal, which anion upon contact with said electrolyte hydrolyzes to yield at least second and third anions which react with said hydroxide of said reactive metal to yield at least one compound of said reactive metal which is insoluble in said electrolyte; means for contacting said electrolyte with said acid or salt to form said insoluble compound; means for separating said insoluble compound from said electrolyte; and means for recirculating said separated electrolyte to said electrochemical cell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A power generation system comprising: an electrochemical cell including a reactive metal anode, a cathode spaced from said anode, and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said reactive metal; a source of an acid or salt thereof having a first anion comprising at least two elements with at least one of said elements being a non-metal, which anion upon contact with said electrolyte hydrolyzes to yield at least second and third anions which react with said hydroxide of said reactive metal to yield at least one compound of said reactive metal which is insoluble in said electrolyte; means for contacting said electrolyte with said acid or salt to form said insoluble compound; means for separating said insoluble compound from said electrolyte; and means for recirculating said separated electrolyte to said electrochemical cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said reactive metal comprises an alkali metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said alkali metal comprises lithium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said acid or salt contains fluorine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said acid or salt comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of H 2 SiF 6 , NaPF 6 , Na 2 TiF 6 , NaAsF 6 H(NH 4 ) 2 AlF 6 , (NH 4 ) 3 ALF 6 ,(NH 4 )PF 6 and (HRF) 6 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said acid or salt additionally contains oxygen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said acid or salt comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of H 2 PO 3 F and HPO 2 F 2 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said acid or salt further comprises a cation comprising elements having atomic numbers less than about 50.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said cation is selected from the group consisting of H + and NH 4 + .
Claim 11
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of power generation, said method comprising the steps of: supplying an electrolyte to an electrochemical reaction zone defined between a reactive metal anode and a cathode spaced from said anode in an electrochemical cell, said electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said reactive metal; contacting said electrolyte with an acid or salt thereof having a first anion comprising at least two elements with at least one of said elements being a non-metal, which anion upon contact with said electrolyte hydrolyzes to yield at least second and third anions which react with said hydroxide of said reactive metal to yield at least one compound of said reactive metal which is insoluble in said electrolyte; separating said insoluble compound from said electrolyte; and recirculating said separated electrolyte to said reaction zone.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of power generation, said method comprising the steps of: supplying an electrolyte to an electrochemical reaction zone defined between a reactive metal anode and a cathode spaced from said anode in an electrochemical cell, said electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said reactive metal; contacting said electrolyte with an acid or salt thereof having a first anion comprising at least two elements with at least one of said elements being a non-metal, which anion upon contact with said electrolyte hydrolyzes to yield at least second and third anions which react with said hydroxide of said reactive metal to yield at least one compound of said reactive metal which is insoluble in said electrolyte; separating said insoluble compound from said electrolyte; and recirculating said separated electrolyte to said reaction zone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said reactive metal comprises an alkali metal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said alkali metal comprises lithium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said acid or salt contains fluorine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said acid or salt comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of H 2 SiF 6 , NaPF 6 , Na 2 TiF 6 , NaAsF 6 , H(NH 4 ) 2 AlF 6 , (NH 4 ) 3 AlF 6 , (NH 4 )PF 6 and HPF 6 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said acid or salt additionally contains oxygen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said acid or salt comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of H 2 PO 3 F and HPO 2 F 2 .
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said acid or salt further comprises a cation comprising elements having atomic numbers less than about 50.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said cation is selected from the group consisting of H + and NH 4 + .
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) | 1990-05-04 | 1990-11-03 | 1991-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-04 | 1994-11-03 | 1995-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-04 | 1998-11-03 | 1999-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |