US4756979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power generation systems and methods
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1986-06-18
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Granted: 1988-07-12
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Expires: 2006-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A power generation system utilizing an electrochemical cell comprising a consumable metal anode, a cathode spaced from the anode to define an electrochemical reaction zone therebetween and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of the consumable metal is disclosed. The electrolyte is circulated through the reaction zone to electrochemically generate electrical power and to form the hydroxide of the consumable metal. The hydroxide of the consumable metal is converted to water and at least one oxide of the consumable metal. The water is separated from the consumable metal oxide and is added to the electrolyte. The invention also comprehends corresponding methods of power generation.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven J. Specht
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:13
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/06; H01M12/00; H01M12/04; H01M16/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for power generation, comprising: an electrochemical cell including a consumable metal anode, a cathode spaced from said anode to define an electrochemical reaction zone, and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said consumable metal; means for circulating said electrolyte through said reaction zone to electrochemically generate electrical power and form the hydroxide of said consumable metal; means for converting at least a portion of said hydroxide of said consumable metal to water and at least one oxide of said consumable metal; means for separating said consumable metal oxide from said water; and means for adding said water to said electrolyte.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for power generation, comprising: an electrochemical cell including a consumable metal anode, a cathode spaced from said anode to define an electrochemical reaction zone, and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said consumable metal; means for circulating said electrolyte through said reaction zone to electrochemically generate electrical power and form the hydroxide of said consumable metal; means for converting at least a portion of said hydroxide of said consumable metal to water and at least one oxide of said consumable metal; means for separating said consumable metal oxide from said water; and means for adding said water to said electrolyte.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said consumable metal comprises a reactive metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said reactive metal comprises an alkali metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said alkali metal comprises lithium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said oxide comprises Li 2 O.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said cathode comprises a material selected from the group consisting of conductive metals and metal oxides.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said cathode metal oxide comprises AgO.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said cathode is an oxygen-consuming cathode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said cathode is an air cathode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said electrochemical celladditionally comprises a cathode reactant selected from the group consisting of O 2 , AgO, H 2 O 2 and H 2 O.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said hydroxide is selected from the group consisting of anhydrous hydroxide, monohydrate hydroxide, aqueous hydroxide and mixtures thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said converting means comprises: means for reacting at least a portion of said hydroxide with a reactant to yield a transformation product and water; and means for reacting said transformation product to yield said consumable metal oxide and said reactant.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said reactant is carbon dioxide and said transformation product comprises a carbonate of said consumable metal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said converting means includes means for providing thermal energy to said reacting means to drive said reaction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said energy providing means comprises a burner adapted for the burning of fuel with an oxygen containing gas to generate thermal energy.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said hydroxide of said consumable metal is fed directly to said burner.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said fuel is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen gas, hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said energy providing means comprises a thermal engine adapted to generate useful power.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 18 additionally comprising means adapted for contacting exhaust from said thermal engine with said hydroxide to form a reaction product and water; means for separating said reaction product from said water; and means for recirculating said water to said reaction zone.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said reaction product comprises a carbonate of said consumable metal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said energy providing means comprises an electrical resistance heater.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said resistance heater is powered by a portion of the electrical power generated by said cell.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of power generation comprising the steps of: supplying an electrolyte to an electrochemical reaction zone defined between a consumable metal anode and a cathode spaced from said anode of an electrochemical cell, said electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said consumable metal; circulating said electrolyte through said reaction zone to electrochemically generate electrical power and form the hydroxide of said consumable metal; converting at least a portion of said hydroxide of said consumable metal to water and at least one oxide of said consumable metal; separating said consumable metal oxide from said water; and adding said water to said electrolyte.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of power generation comprising the steps of: supplying an electrolyte to an electrochemical reaction zone defined between a consumable metal anode and a cathode spaced from said anode of an electrochemical cell, said electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said consumable metal; circulating said electrolyte through said reaction zone to electrochemically generate electrical power and form the hydroxide of said consumable metal; converting at least a portion of said hydroxide of said consumable metal to water and at least one oxide of said consumable metal; separating said consumable metal oxide from said water; and adding said water to said electrolyte.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said consumable metal comprises a reactive metal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said reactive metal comprises an alkali metal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 25 wherein an alkali metal comprises lithium.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said oxide comprises Li 2 O.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said cathode comprises a material selected from the group consisting of conductive metals and metal oxides.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said cathode metal oxide comprises AgO.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said cathode is an oxygen-consuming cathode.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said cathode is an air cathode.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said electrochemical cell additionally comprises a cathode reactant selected from the group consisting of O 2 , AgO, H 2 O 2 and H 2 O.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said hydroxide is selected from the group consisting of anhydrous hydroxide, monohydrate hydroxide, aqueous hydroxide and mixtures thereof.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said converting step comprises the steps of; reacting at least a portion of said hydroxide and a reactant to yield a transformation product and water; and reacting said transformation product to yield said consumable metal oxide and said reactant.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said reactant is carbon dioxide and said transformation product comprises a carbonate of said consumable metal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said converting step include the step of providing thermal energy to said reacting means to drive said reaction.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said energy providing step comprises burning of fuel with an oxygen containing gas in a burner to generate thermal energy.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 37 wherein said hydroxide of said consumable metal is fed directly to said burner.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 37 wherein said fuel is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen gas, hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said energy providing step comprises the step of operating a thermal engine adapted to generate useful power.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 40 additionally comprising the steps of: contacting exhaust from said thermal engine with said hydroxide to form a reaction product and water; separating said reaction product from said water; and recirculating said water to said reaction zone.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 41 wherein said reaction product comprises a carbonate of said consumable metal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said energy providing means comprises an electrical resistance heater.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 43 wherein said resistance heater is powered by a portion of the electrical power generated by said cell.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-07-12 | 1992-01-11 | 1992-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-12 | 1996-01-11 | 1996-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-12 | 2000-01-11 | 2000-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |