US5496659A — Electrochemical apparatus for energy storage and/…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 179 words

An electrochemical apparatus for energy storage and power delivery comprising, in combination: (a) means for defining a single cell or an array of repeating cell structures, each cell with a chamber (+ ve chamber) containing a + ve electrode and a chamber (- ve chamber) containing a - ve electrode, (b) means comprising a plurality of cation exchange membranes for separating the + ve chamber and the - ve chamber of each cell by at least one intermediate chamber, (c) means for circulating a + ve electrolyte through the + ve chamber, (d) means for circulating a - ve electrolyte through the - ve chamber, (e) means for circulating an idler electrolyte through the said intermediate chamber for collecting unwanted ionic species which cross the cation exchange membranes from the + ve or - ve chamber, (f) means for connecting said + ve electrodes to energy source (charging) means and to delivery (discharge) load means, and (g) means for recharging the system by driving a DC current into the + ve electrode and out of the - ve electrode.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 179 words

An electrochemical apparatus for energy storage and power delivery comprising, in combination: (a) means for defining a single cell or an array of repeating cell structures, each cell with a chamber (+ ve chamber) containing a + ve electrode and a chamber (- ve chamber) containing a - ve electrode, (b) means comprising a plurality of cation exchange membranes for separating the + ve chamber and the - ve chamber of each cell by at least one intermediate chamber, (c) means for circulating a + ve electrolyte through the + ve chamber, (d) means for circulating a - ve electrolyte through the - ve chamber, (e) means for circulating an idler electrolyte through the said intermediate chamber for collecting unwanted ionic species which cross the cation exchange membranes from the + ve or - ve chamber, (f) means for connecting said + ve electrodes to energy source (charging) means and to delivery (discharge) load means, and (g) means for recharging the system by driving a DC current into the + ve electrode and out of the - ve electrode.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 15 words

An apparatus as defined in claim 1 which includes a plurality of intermediate chambers therein.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 26 words

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the membranes separating the + ve chamber and the - ve chamber from the intermediate chamber are the same.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 25 words

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the membranes separating the + ve chamber and the - ve chamber from the intermediate chamber are different.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 42 words

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the + ve electrode is constructed for the attraction and storage of Fe 3+ ions formed at the electrode during charging of the cell when the electrolyte circulating through the + ve chamber contains iron.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 45 words

An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the - ve electrode is constructed for the attraction and storage of S 2- ions during charging and enhances the formation of molecular sulfur during discharging when the electrolyte circulating through the - ve chamber contains sulfur.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 19 words

An apparatus as defined in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the electrodes are surfaced with activated carbon particles.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 48 words

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the + ve electrode has a coating of non-conductive porous particles selected to increase the available surface area, to increase the surface wettability and to decrease the hydrolysis of bromine when the electrolyte circulating through the + ve chamber contains bromine.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 29 words

Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the coating comprises a mixture selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, a zeolite and like silicates admixed with activated carbon.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 28 words

An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein means are provided for passing the idler electrolyte through a reclamation cell in order to retain any solids precipitated therein.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 30 words

An apparatus as defined in claim 1 which comprises an array of repeating cell structures with end + ve and - ve electrodes and one or more intermediate bi-polar electrodes.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 197 words

An electrochemical apparatus for energy storage and/or power delivery comprising, in combination: (a) means for defining a single cell or an array of repeating cell structures, each cell with a chamber (+ ve chamber) containing a + ve electrode and a chamber (- ve chamber) containing a - ve electrode, (b) means comprising a plurality of cation exchange membranes for separating the + ve chamber and the - ve chamber of each cell by at least one intermediate chamber for collecting therein unwanted ionic species which cross the cation exchange membranes from the + ve or - ve chamber, (c) means for circulating an electrolyte containing iron through the + ve chamber, (d) means for circulating an electrolyte containing a sulfide and a soluble, ionic salt, selected from salts of the group consisting of sodium, potassium, lithium and ammonium salts, which acts as a charge carrier during power delivery, through the - ve chamber, (e) means for connecting said + ve electrodes to energy source (charging) means and for delivery (discharge) load means, and (f) means for recharging the system by driving a DC current into the + ve electrode and out of the - ve electrode.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 197 words

An electrochemical apparatus for energy storage and/or power delivery comprising, in combination: (a) means for defining a single cell or an array of repeating cell structures, each cell with a chamber (+ ve chamber) containing a + ve electrode and a chamber (- ve chamber) containing a - ve electrode, (b) means comprising a plurality of cation exchange membranes for separating the + ve chamber and the - ve chamber of each cell by at least one intermediate chamber for collecting therein unwanted ionic species which cross the cation exchange membranes from the + ve or - ve chamber, (c) means for circulating an electrolyte containing iron through the + ve chamber, (d) means for circulating an electrolyte containing a sulfide and a soluble, ionic salt, selected from salts of the group consisting of sodium, potassium, lithium and ammonium salts, which acts as a charge carrier during power delivery, through the - ve chamber, (e) means for connecting said + ve electrodes to energy source (charging) means and for delivery (discharge) load means, and (f) means for recharging the system by driving a DC current into the + ve electrode and out of the - ve electrode.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 20 words

An apparatus as defined in claim 12 which includes means for circulating an idler electrolyte through the said intermediate chamber.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 15 words

An apparatus as defined in claim 12 which includes a plurality of intermediate chambers therein.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 32 words

An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein the + ve electrode is constructed for the attraction and storage of Fe 3+ ions formed at the electrode during charging of the cell.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 34 words

An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein the - ve electrode is constructed for the attraction and storage of S 2- ions during charging and enhances the formation of molecular sulfur during discharging.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 19 words

An apparatus as defined in claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the electrodes are surfaced with activated carbon particles.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 30 words

An apparatus as defined in claim 12 which comprises an array of repeating cell structures with end + ve and - ve electrodes and one or more intermediate bi-polar electrodes.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 183 words

An electrochemical apparatus for energy storage and power delivery comprising, in combination: (a) means for defining a single cell or an array of repeating cell structures, each cell with a chamber (+ ve chamber) containing a + ve electrode and a chamber (- ve chamber) containing a - ve electrode, (b) means comprising a plurality of cation exchange membranes for separating the + ve chamber and the - ve chamber of each cell by at least one intermediate chamber, (c) means for circulating a + ve electrolyte containing bromine through the + ve chamber, (d) means for circulating a - ve electrolyte containing sulfide through the - ve chamber, (e) means for circulating an idler electrolyte through the said intermediate chamber for collecting unwanted ionic species which cross the cation exchange membranes from the + ve or - ve chamber, (f) means for connecting said + ve electrodes to energy source (charging) means and to delivery (discharge) load means, and (g) means for recharging the system by driving a DC current into the + ve electrode and out of the - ve electrode.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 183 words

An electrochemical apparatus for energy storage and power delivery comprising, in combination: (a) means for defining a single cell or an array of repeating cell structures, each cell with a chamber (+ ve chamber) containing a + ve electrode and a chamber (- ve chamber) containing a - ve electrode, (b) means comprising a plurality of cation exchange membranes for separating the + ve chamber and the - ve chamber of each cell by at least one intermediate chamber, (c) means for circulating a + ve electrolyte containing bromine through the + ve chamber, (d) means for circulating a - ve electrolyte containing sulfide through the - ve chamber, (e) means for circulating an idler electrolyte through the said intermediate chamber for collecting unwanted ionic species which cross the cation exchange membranes from the + ve or - ve chamber, (f) means for connecting said + ve electrodes to energy source (charging) means and to delivery (discharge) load means, and (g) means for recharging the system by driving a DC current into the + ve electrode and out of the - ve electrode.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 36 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the + ve electrode has a coating of non-conductive porous particles to increase the available surface area, to increase the surface wettability and to decrease the hydrolysis of bromine.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 29 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein the coating comprises a mixture selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, a zeolite and like silicates admixed with activated carbon.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 31 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the idler electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of Na 2 S x and a mixture of Na 2 S x and NaBr.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 187 words

An electrochemical apparatus for energy storage and power delivery comprising, in combination: at least one cell, the cell comprising a + ve chamber containing a + ve electrode, a - ve chamber containing a - ve electrode, at lease one intermediate chamber provided between the + ve chamber and the - ve chamber, a plurality of cation exchange membranes separating the + ve chamber from the at least one intermediate chamber and separating the at least one intermediate chamber from the - ve chamber, a + ve electrolyte a - ve electrolyte and an idler electrolyte; means for circulating the + ve electrolyte through the + ve chamber; means for circulating the - ve electrolyte through the - ve chamber; means for circulating the idler electrolyte through the at least one intermediate chamber for collecting unwanted ionic species which cross the cation exchange membranes from the + ve or - ve chamber; a power source for recharging the apparatus by driving a DC current therethrough; and external terminals for connecting the + ve electrode and the - ve electrode to the power source or to a load.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 187 words

An electrochemical apparatus for energy storage and power delivery comprising, in combination: at least one cell, the cell comprising a + ve chamber containing a + ve electrode, a - ve chamber containing a - ve electrode, at lease one intermediate chamber provided between the + ve chamber and the - ve chamber, a plurality of cation exchange membranes separating the + ve chamber from the at least one intermediate chamber and separating the at least one intermediate chamber from the - ve chamber, a + ve electrolyte a - ve electrolyte and an idler electrolyte; means for circulating the + ve electrolyte through the + ve chamber; means for circulating the - ve electrolyte through the - ve chamber; means for circulating the idler electrolyte through the at least one intermediate chamber for collecting unwanted ionic species which cross the cation exchange membranes from the + ve or - ve chamber; a power source for recharging the apparatus by driving a DC current therethrough; and external terminals for connecting the + ve electrode and the - ve electrode to the power source or to a load.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 20 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the + ve electrolyte contains bromine and the - ve electrolyte contains sulfide.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 13 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the idler electrolyte contains a sulfide.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 35 words

Apparatus as claims in claim 25, wherein the idler electrolyte comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of Na 2 S x and a mixture of Na 2 S x and NaBr.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 25 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the + ve electrolyte contains iron and the - ve electrolyte contains sulfide and a soluble, ionic salt.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 26 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the soluble, ionic salt is selected from salts of the group consisting of sodium, potassium, lithium and ammonium salts.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 40 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the + ve electrolyte contains a salt of iron and the idler electrolyte contains a salt, the anion of which is the anion of the salt of iron in the + ve electrolyte.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 21 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein a plurality of said cells are provided in an array of repeating cell structures.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-03-05	1999-09-04	2000-03-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-03-05	2003-09-04	2004-03-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-03-05	2007-09-04	2008-03-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Electrochemical apparatus for energy storage and/or power delivery comprising multi-compartment cells

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