# US 12,567,648 B2 · Explosive environment neutralization in chemical energy storage > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,567,648 B2 - Document ID: US12567648B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/448,260 - Filed: 2021-09-21 - Published: 2022-03-24 - Granted: 2026-03-03 - Earliest claimed: 2020-09-24 - Assignees: Altect, Inc. - Applicants: Altect, Inc. - Inventors: Kevin Marr; Paul Lee - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12567648B2 ## CPC - H01M 50/383: Flame arresting or ignition-preventing means - B01D 53/00: Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols, (recovery of volatile solvents by condensation B01D5/00; sublimation B01D7/00; cold traps, cold baffles B01D8/00; working-up undefined gaseous mixtures obtained by cracking hydrocarbon oils C10G70/00; cleaning coal gas C10K; working-up of natural gas, or synthetic natural gas, C10L3/10; separation of difficult-to-condense gases or air by liquefaction F25J; for investigating materials G01N30/00) - H01M 50/143: Fireproof; Explosion-proof - H01M 10/052: Li-accumulators - H01M 2200/00: Safety devices for primary or secondary batteries - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract Apparatus and associated methods relate to a neutralization and circulation module (NCM) configured to generate a combustion suppressant stream from a flammable intake stream. In an illustrative example, the NCM includes an intake port and an output port, each in fluid communication with a chamber containing (electro)chemical energy storage units capable of emitting combustible gases. The NCM may, for example, include a reactor in fluid communication between the intake and output port. The reactor may, for example, selectively apply an oxygen-containing stream from an oxygen source to the intake stream to generate, from the stream containing combustible gases, a combustion suppressant gas stream that is discharged through the output port into the chamber such that an upper flammability limit approaches a lower flammability limit in the chamber. Various embodiments may advantageously eliminate a flammable regime in a chemical energy storage environment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A neutralization and circulation module comprising: an intake port and an output port, each in fluid communication with a chamber that substantially encloses a system of lithium-based chemical energy storage units configured to emit combustible gases into the chamber; a reactor, the reactor in fluid communication between the intake port and the output port, the reactor comprising a catalyst and being further in controlled communication with an oxygen source; at least one actuator; and a controller in operable communication with the at least one actuator, wherein: the controller is configured to operate the at least one actuator in response to at least one signal corresponding to at least one attribute of the reactor, such that the reactor, in response to receiving an intake stream from the chamber via the intake port, selectively applies an oxygen-containing stream from the oxygen source to the intake stream to neutralize the combustible gases and generate a combustion suppressant gas stream that is discharged through the output port into the chamber enclosing the system of lithium-based chemical energy storage units such that an upper flammability limit approaches a lower flammability limit in the chamber. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor configured to generate the at least one signal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 2, wherein: the at least one sensor comprises an analyte sensor, the at least one attribute comprises a composition of the intake stream, the at least one actuator comprises an actuator configured to selectively operate a valve controlling a flow rate of the oxygen-containing stream, and the controller is configured to operate the valve such that a minimum oxygen level is maintained in the reactor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 3, wherein the controller is further configured to operate the valve such that a maximum oxygen level is maintained in the reactor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 1, further comprising: at least one sensor configured to generate at least one signal in response to a presence of at least one chemical component in the intake stream; and, the controller operably coupled to the at least one sensor, wherein: the reactor comprises a plurality of reactor modules, each reactor module configured to initiate at least one reaction, and the controller is configured to control the fluid communication of the intake stream with the plurality of reactor modules in response to the at least one signal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 2, wherein: the at least one sensor comprises a temperature sensor, the at least one attribute comprises a thermal energy level in the reactor, the at least one actuator comprises an actuator configured to selectively operate a heating element, and the controller is configured to operate the heating element such that a minimum thermal energy level is maintained in at least a portion of the reactor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 1, wherein the system of lithium-based chemical energy storage units comprises a lithium-ion battery. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 1, wherein the combustion suppressant gas stream is configured to circulate in an environment comprising anode and cathode inputs for the lithium-based chemical energy storage units. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 1, wherein the combustion suppressant gas stream is discharged such that the upper flammability limit and the lower flammability limit intersect. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 1, wherein the reactor comprises a pre-reaction region comprising a fan configured to maintain a minimum intake flow into the reactor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to operate the fan in response to a signal corresponding to at least one criterion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 11, wherein the at least one criterion comprises pressure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 11, wherein the at least one criterion comprises flow rate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 1, wherein the reactor further comprises at least one heater module configured to maintain a minimum thermal energy level in a reaction unit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 1, further comprising a cooling module configured to maintain a predetermined maximum thermal energy level in at least a portion of the reactor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 1, wherein the reactor comprises a porous media substrate coated with a catalytic material configured to promote oxidation of combustible gases. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 16, wherein the catalytic material comprises a noble metal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 2) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a concentration of flammable gas species in the chamber, wherein the controller is configured to activate the reactor in response to the concentration exceeding a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a communication module configured to transmit status data to a remote device and to receive configuration data from a remote server. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The neutralization and circulation module of claim 1, wherein the intake port and the output port are positioned relative to one another such that operation of the intake port and/or the output port increases circulation in the chamber.