Olin Corporation

Gould Inc.

Steven J Specht

Kenneth E Woodard, Jr

Morton S Kircher

John O Adams

Arnold Z Gordon

Judson A Wood

Richard C Hills

Lawrence S Supelak

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.

Power generation systems and methods

An anode breakthrough coating at the interface of a consumable anode and an electrically conductive metallic substrate of an electrode assembly is useful in minimizing harmful side effects, such as reduced voltage and cell efficiency and generation of heat and hydrogen gas, such as are experienced with prior electrochemical cells near the end of discharge. The coating may take the form of a perforated electrically insulating layer on the substrate, a layer of material having a high hydrogen overvoltage relative to the metallic substrate bonded to the substrate, an insulating film formed on the portions of the substrate when exposed to the aqueous electrolyte, or a deposited electrolyte solution additive on the exposed substrate surface.

Electrode assemblies for electrochemical cells

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. Carbon is oxidized to form carbon dioxide which in turn is contacted with the electrolyte of the electrochemical cell to form a carbonate reaction product of the metal hydroxide and the carbon dioxide. The carbonate reaction product is separated from the electrolyte and the electrolyte is recirculated to the electrochemical cell. The carbon may be oxidized in a manner so as to generate useful power.

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 an acid anhydride to form an insoluble compound of the reactive metal. The insoluble compound is separated from the electrolyte and the electrolyte is recirculated to the electrochemical cell.

Electrochemical power generation

A battery system (10,110) wherein an electrolyte solution of lithium hydroxide dissolved in seawater is circulated through a battery cartridge (11,111). The system is placed under pressure. A portion of the electrolyte mixture is discharged from the system through a suitable pressure regulating valve (20) while concurrently, fresh seawater is delivered into the system as by a pressurizing pump (17). The increased pressure acts to increase the density of the gaseous portion of the ejected gas liquid mixture, reduce the volume of the gaseous portion of the ejected gas-liquid mixture, thereby reducing the total volume of the ejected mixture, and reduce the ratio of gas volume to liquid volume in the system as well as the ejected gas-liquid mixture.

Primary battery system

A process for electrically by-passing one of a series of electrolytic cells without interrupting current flow through the remaining cells is disclosed. The process includes inserting two conductors between the cells, remotely moving the conductors into pressurized contact with the cell preceding and the cell following the cell being disconnected and closing a switch to electrically connect the two conductors thereby by-passing the cell being disconnected.

Remotely connecting and disconnecting cells from circuit

A remote controlled intercell connector bar jack is disclosed. The jack can have a first contactor and a second contactor spaced apart by a piston and cylinder assembly. The assembly can be remotely expanded or contracted to move the contactors away from each other or towards each other, respectively. The first contactor contacts a movable intercell connector while the second contactor contacts a fixed object such as the wall of one of two adjacent cells connected by the intercell connector. The second contactor can be a plate adapted to rest against a wall of a cell to which the intercell connector is attached and the first contactor adapted to rest against the intercell connector so that the intercell connector is jacked away from the cell wall when the assembly is remotely expanded.

Remote-controlled jack for intercell connectors

A remotely-controlled tightener for selectively tightening and loosening electrical connectors between electrolytic cells.

Automatic tightener/loosener for intercell electrical connectors

An intercell connector system is disclosed. The system includes two adjacent terminals attached to two adjacent cells and intercell connector selectively overlapping the adjacent ends of the terminals. The intercell connector includes a conductive first member and a second member which are held together by a fastening device which can be selectively loosened and tightened. When the fastening device is loosened, the two members are adapted to be moved out of engagement with one of the terminals thereby disconnecting the electrical circuit between the terminals.

Slide-back type intercell bus bar connector

A process for the start-up of membrane cells for the electrolysis of an aqueous salt solution for cells having an anode compartment containing a plurality of anodes, a cathode compartment containing a plurality of cathodes and an ion exchange membrane separating the anode compartment from the cathode compartment is comprised of the steps of:

Process for the start-up of membrane cells for the electrolysis of

A non-adherent glove-like diaphragm structure for use in an electrolysis cell. The diaphragm structure has a finger means with an open upper end, and closed lower end, and a middle section connecting the upper and lower end. The lower end is perforated so as to receive an anode riser therethrough. The diaphragm structure also includes a border for attaching the finger to the upper edge of the cathode so as to separate the cathode from the anode and the anolyte of the electrolytic cell.

Glove-like diaphragm structure for electrolytic cells

A jumper system for electrically by-passing one of a series of electrolytic cells without interrupting current flow through the remaining cells is disclosed. The jumper system includes two L-shaped conductors, a switch for electrically connecting the conductors, and a contact pressuring device for remotely moving the conductors into pressurized contact with the cell preceding and the cell following the cell to be disconnected.

Means for connecting and disconnecting cells from circuit

A gas separation assembly for an electrolytic cell having a gas-evolving electrode and a total cell current density above 2500 amperes per square feet of internal horizontal cell area is disclosed. The assembly includes a gas collector within the gas-evolving electrode and a disengager with less than 0.13 square feet of internal, horizontal, cross-sectional disengaging area per kiloampere of total cell current.

Internal gas separation assembly for high current density electrolytic

A perforated support for helping prevent damage to a non-adherent membrane in a chlorine gas-producing cell configuration having downwardly open, gas-trapping pockets adjacent such a membrane in the upper end of a chlorine-producing anolyte chamber. The cathode chamber can be at a greater pressure than the anode chamber to force the diaphragm against the support.

Ventilated diaphragm support for chlor-alkali cell

A casing suitable for covering a substantially rectangular electrode for a diaphragm-type electrolytic cell comprises a closed end, an open end, and two closed, reinforced sides. The casing is formed of a single flexible material which is folded or sealed to provide a plurality of fingers each having a closed end and then sealed to form two closed sides, such casing preferably having reinforced edges.

Growing community of inventors

Mentor, OH, United States of America

Steven J Specht