Low-Temperature Liquid Metal Batteries for Grid-Scaled Storage
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsBrian L. Spatocco, Paul J. Burke, Donald R. Sadoway
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Abstract
An electrochemical cell and its method of operation includes an electrolyte having a binary salt system of an alkali hydroxide and a second alkali salt. The anode, cathode, and electrolyte may be in the molten phase. The cell is operational for both storing electrical energy and as a source of electrical energy as part of an uninterruptible power system. The cell is particularly suited to store electrical energy produced by a renewable energy source.
Claims20
An electrochemical storage device comprising:
- a first phase defining a positive electrode comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of cadmium, tin, mercury, lead, antimony, bismuth and any combination thereof;
- a second phase defining an electrolyte comprising a binary salt system of an alkali metal, the binary salt system comprising an hydroxide salt, the second phase defining first and second interfaces, the first phase being in contact with the second phase at the first interface;
- and
- a third phase separated from the first phase and defining a negative electrode comprising the alkali metal, the third phase being in contact with the second phase at the second interface.
An electrochemical storage device comprising:
- a first phase comprising a binary salt system of an alkali metal, the binary salt system comprising an hydroxide salt, the first phase defining a first interface;
- and
- a second phase defining a positive electrode comprising a metal alloy of the alkali metal and a second metal selected from the group consisting of cadmium, tin, mercury, lead, bismuth, and any combination thereof, the second phase being in contact with the first phase at the first interface.
A method of exchanging electrical energy with an external circuit, the method comprising:
- providing an electrochemical cell comprising:
- a first phase defining a positive electrode comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of cadmium, tin, mercury, lead, bismuth, and any combination thereof;
- a second phase comprising a binary salt system of an alkali metal, the binary salt system comprising an hydroxide salt, the second phase defining first and second interfaces, the first phase being in contact with the second phase at the first interface;
- and
- a third phase separated from the first phase and defining a negative electrode comprising the alkali metal, the third phase being in contact with the second phase at the second interface;
- connecting the cell to an external circuit;
- and
- operating the external circuit so as to drive transfer of the alkali metal between the first phase and the third phase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.