Self-rechargeable, medium level discharge electrochemical cell

Abstract

The present invention provides a rechargeable electrochemical battery cell which has self-charging capabilities. Specifically, the cell comprises two chambers interconnected with a tubing and a valve; each chamber further comprising a top closure, a positive contact disposed through said top closure, a cathode in electrical contact with said positive contact, a liquid metal anode disposed in the chamber at the bottom, a negative contact disposed through the bottom of the chamber and in electrical contact with said liquid metal anode, and a non-aqueous molten salt electrolyte disposed within the chamber. At a first temperature, a first electrochemical reaction occurs within the first chamber between the non-aqueous molten salt electrolyte and the liquid metal anode wherein the cation from the non-aqueous molten salt electrolyte reduces to form the liquid metal anode and the first liquid metal anode becomes the cation in the non-aqueous molten salt electrolyte. The new liquid metal anode and new molten salt electrolyte are transferred to the second chamber and reacted at a second temperature to produce an electrochemical reaction that is the reverse of the first electrochemical reaction. After each reaction, the electrical energy from the reaction is discharged to a load. A method of operating the self-charging, medium level energy density electrochemical cell is disclosed in the invention. Additionally, the self-charging electrochemical cell can be combined with at least one other self-charging electrochemical cell to form a battery bank, the structure and method of operation of which are disclosed herein.