Electrochemical reactor, electrochemical reactor systems, processes for electrochemical reactions, and methods using same

Abstract

Electrochemical systems providing reversible operation of high specific energy or gravimetric energy, and high energy density or volumetric energy battery chemistries, methods of operating such systems, processes providing high energy densities and high power densities, and architectures for the successful implementation of such systems, methods and processes. A number of interconnected electrochemical reactors can be assembled to create a battery. By presenting fluidic reactants via pumping, injection and/or other circulation technologies that enable high specific energy, high utilization of reactants, and efficient thermal control, the operation of the electrochemical reactor/battery can be optimized. In a flow battery system and method for handling molten alkali metal and hydroxide species, the volume of the reactants is maximized over inactive components and thus increase energy density. Molten and gaseous reactants/products are fed to/removed from a central power conversion module from/fed to reservoirs for discharge/charge.