Zbb Technologies, Inc.

Peter J Lex

Phillip A Eidler

Carl D Jahns

Ralph A Petersen

Wayne W Blazek

Bjorn Jonshagen

Robin A Vidas

Ronald C Miles

James J Bolstad

Robert R Rixford

Joseph F Mathews

A spill and leak containment system for a liquid electrolyte battery such as a zinc-bromine battery. The system includes one-piece, electrolyte reservoirs with pump mountings and other openings positioned at or near the tops of each reservoir. Positioning the openings at the tops of the reservoirs reduces the amount of electrolyte that might spill out of them, in the event of a leak or breach in the seal between the opening and the component mounted therein. The pump openings are surrounded by sumps, which will catch and contain liquid if there is a leak. To help contain vapor leaks, the invention also includes a vapor recovery system coupled to reservoir when it is filled with or emptied of electrolyte. The vapor recovery system allows for an exchange of vapors to occur between an electrolyte container and the battery reservoir while electrolyte fluid is being transferred. This prevents electrolyte vapor from escaping into the atmosphere where it might be potentially harmful to personnel setting up the system. A pressure equalization system is also provided in order to equalize the pressure between the anolyte and catholyte reservoirs.

Spill and leak containment system for zinc-bromine battery

A circulation system for a flowing-electrolyte battery having at least one electrochemical cell, an anolyte reservoir, and a catholyte reservoir. The circulation system includes an anolyte pump coupled in fluid flowing relationship to the anolyte reservoir which pumps anolyte from the anolyte reservoir to the at least one electrochemical cell. A catholyte pump is coupled in fluid flowing relationship to the catholyte reservoir and also pumps catholyte to the at least one electrochemical cell. A second phase pump is coupled in fluid flowing relationship to the catholyte reservoir and is used to introduce second phase electrolyte into the aqueous catholyte pumped by the catholyte pump. The second phase pump is controlled by a controller so that the second phase is introduced into the catholyte stream in a metered fashion. A controllable four-way valve is coupled in fluid flowing relationship to the catholyte pump and operable to direct the flow of catholyte through the electrochemical cell in a first direction, and periodically reverse the flow of the catholyte in a second direction. Metering the amount of second phase injected into the catholyte stream and reversing catholyte flow improve battery efficiency.

Battery circulation system with improved four-way valve

A method of restoring electrochemical activity to an electrode of a battery. The battery is a bipolar, electrochemical flow battery including a predetermined number of electrochemical cells and an electrolyte. The method includes reversing the direction of the normal cycling current through the battery, and may include lowering the pH of the electrolyte in the battery.

Method of electrode reconditioning

A carbon coating including carbon particles having a predetermined size and BET surface area. The carbon coating is applied to electrodes used in batteries. The electrodes may include a nonconductive frame defining at least one aperture and at least one carbon plastic sheet which is borne by the frame and disposed in occluding relation relative to the aperture. The carbon coating is applied to one surface of the carbon plastic sheet.

Carbon coating for an electrode

An improved capacitor including a plurality of plastic frame mounted electrode and separator inserts. The plastic frame mounted electrode and separator inserts are oriented in alternating succession, and have a carbon paste placed therebetween. The capacitor includes terminal electrodes through which electric charge may flow. The capacitor also includes a pair of rigid endblocks.

Capacitor having non-conductive plastic frames

A battery including a plurality of bipolar electrodes and non-conductive separators, each having first and second surfaces. A carbon coating is applied on the first surface of each of the plurality of carbon plastic electrodes, and each separator is disposed in spaced, sandwich relation with respect to two of the plurality of electrodes. The electrodes and separators define a plurality of electrochemical cells, including a plurality of anodic half-cells, and a plurality of cathodic half-cells. A high surface area carbon material is disposed in, and completely fills, each cathodic half-cell, and an electrolyte is disposed in each half-cell. A spacer is disposed in each anodic half-cell. The spacer may be a mesh or screen made from polymeric material. The spacer may also be an aggregated glass mat.

Growing community of inventors

Wauwatosa, WI, United States of America

Peter J Lex