Micro Gap Flow Through Electrochemical Devices With Self Adjusting Reactive Surfaces
OwnerRichard Clarkeinventor
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Abstract
Contemplated electrochemical devices and methods include an electrolyte flow path in which substantially all of the electrolyte has laminar flow. A segmented electrode contacts the electrolyte, and each of the segments in the segmented electrode is preferably coupled to a control device to provide control over the flow of current to and/or from the electrolyte. Thus, it should be appreciated that the redox state of the electrolyte can be changed in a single-pass through the flow path, which effectively eliminates problems associated with mass transport phenomena and reduced current efficiency.
Claims20
An electrochemical device comprising an electrolyte conduit that is configured such that substantially all of an electrolyte flowing through the conduit has a laminar flow, and a segmented electrode in contact with the electrolyte, wherein at least two of the segments are electronically coupled to at least two respective current control devices.
A method of operating an electrochemical device comprising:
- pumping an electrolyte having a first oxidation state along a flow path such that substantially all of the electrolyte has laminar flow in the flow path;
- and
- changing the first oxidation state of the electrolyte to a second oxidation state on a segmented electrode such that substantially all of the electrolyte has the second oxidation state at a location downstream of the flow path.
A method of manufacturing an electrochemical reactor having a first electrolyte reservoir with a first electrolyte at a first oxidation state, a second electrolyte reservoir with the first electrolyte at a second oxidation state, and an electrolytic cell having an anode, a cathode, and a separator between the anode and the cathode, wherein the cell has a flow path that fluidly couples the first and second electrolyte reservoirs, and wherein the flow path allows the first electrolyte to contact the anode, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming a length of the flow path such that substantially all of the first electrolyte has a laminar flow;
- and
- forming the anode such as to allow change of oxidation state of substantially all of the first electrolyte from the first to the second oxidation state upon traversing the length of the flow path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.