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US 2021/0277529 A1Published application
Production of sodium metal by dual temperature electrolysis processes
AssigneeEnlighten Innovations Inc.
InventorsSai Venkata Bhavaraju, Roger Marc Flinders, Thomas Ray Hinklin, Steven William Hughes, Mykola Makowsky, Mathew Richard Robins
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Abstract
New dual temperature electrochemical methods and systems for the production of sodium metal from sodium polysulfides have been discovered. The technology provides high conductivity for sodium ions and extended service life for the electrochemical cell.
Claims24
A method comprising:
- introducing an anolyte at a first temperature into an anolyte compartment of an electrochemical flow cell, wherein
- the anolyte comprises an effective amount of a sodium salt dissolved in a temperature-sensitive solvent;
- the anolyte compartment comprises an anode, wherein the anode comprises the sodium salt;
- the electrochemical flow cell further comprises a catholyte compartment and a ceramic sodium ion conductive membrane that separates the anolyte compartment from the catholyte compartment;
- and
- the catholyte compartment comprises a molten sodium cathode;
- causing sodium ions from the sodium salt to pass through the ceramic sodium ion conductive membrane from the anolyte compartment to the catholyte compartment;
- reducing the sodium ions to sodium metal at the molten sodium cathode;
- and
- cooling the anolyte outside the anolyte compartment to a second temperature;
- wherein the second temperature causes degradation of the temperature-sensitive solvent at a rate less than 20% of the rate that occurs at the first temperature.
8 more elements
A system for the production of sodium metal by dual temperature electrolysis comprising:
- an anolyte source comprising anolyte;
- at least one pump for pumping anolyte within the system;
- a heater for heating anolyte to a first temperature;
- a chiller for cooling anolyte to a second temperature, lower than the first temperature;
- and an electrolytic flow cell comprising
- an anolyte compartment and a catholyte compartment separated by a sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane;
- an anode comprising a sodium salt, disposed in the anolyte compartment;
- a molten sodium cathode disposed in the catholyte compartment;
- and
- a power supply electrically connected to the anode and cathode;
- wherein
- the anolyte compartment further comprises an anolyte inlet and an anolyte outlet;
- and
- the catholyte compartment comprises an opening through which molten sodium may flow;
- and
- wherein
- the anolyte source is in fluid connection with the pump and the anolyte inlet of the anolyte compartment;
- the heater is adapted to heat the anolyte from the anolyte source before or upon entering the anolyte compartment;
- and
- the chiller is adapted to cool the anolyte upon exiting the anolyte compartment.
17 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.