# US 2023/0406733 A1 · Novel flow features for self-cleaning concentric tubular electrochemical cells

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2023/0406733 A1
- Document ID: US20230406733A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 18/229,145
- Filed: 2023-08-01
- Published: 2023-12-21
- Earliest claimed: 2017-04-14
- Assignees: Evoqua Water Technolgoies LLC
- Applicants: Evoqua Water Technolgoies LLC
- Inventors: Joshua Griffis; Andrew Green; Li-Shiang Liang; Paul Beddoes
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230406733A1

## CPC

- C02F 1/4674: {with halogen or compound of halogens, e.g. chlorine, bromine}
- C25B 11/02: characterised by shape or form
- C02F 1/46104: {Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing}
- C02F 1/46109: {Electrodes}
- C25B 1/26: Chlorine; Compounds thereof (by simultaneous production of alkali metal hydroxides and chlorine, oxyacids or salts of chlorine C25B1/34)
- C25B 1/46: in diaphragm cells
- C25B 9/15: Flow-through cells
- C25B 9/70: Assemblies comprising two or more cells
- C25B 11/036: Bipolar electrodes
- C25B 15/08: Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes
- G05D 7/0186: {without moving parts}
- H01M 6/34: Immersion cells, e.g. sea-water cells
- H01M 6/48: with bipolar electrodes
- H01M 6/52: Reclaiming serviceable parts of waste cells or batteries {, e.g. recycling}
- C02F 2001/46119: {Cleaning the electrodes}
- C02F 2001/46128: {Bipolar electrodes}
- C02F 2001/46142: {Catalytic coating}
- C02F 2001/46171: {Cylindrical or tubular shaped}
- C02F 2103/08: Seawater, e.g. for desalination
- C02F 2103/42: from bathing facilities, e.g. swimming pools
- C02F 2201/003: Coaxial constructions, e.g. a cartridge located coaxially within another
- C02F 2201/4611: Fluid flow
- C02F 2303/22: Eliminating or preventing deposits, scale removal, scale prevention (C02F1/042, C02F1/4602, C02F5/00 take precedence)
- Y02W 30/84: Recycling of batteries or fuel cells
- C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes)
- C25B: ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR (anodic or cathodic protection C23F13/00; single-crystal growth C30B)
- G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT

## Abstract

Self-cleaning electrochemical cells, systems including self-cleaning electrochemical cells, and methods of operating self-cleaning electrochemical cells are disclosed. The self-cleaning electrochemical cell can include a plurality of concentric electrodes disposed in a housing, for example, a cathode and an anode, a fluid channel defined between the concentric electrodes, a separator residing between the concentric electrodes, first and second end caps coupled to respective ends of the housing, and an inlet cone. The separators may be configured to localize the electrodes and dimensioned to minimize a zone of reduced velocity occurring downstream from the separator. The end caps and inlet cone may be dimensioned to maintain fully developed flow and minimize pressure drop across the electrochemical cell.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-10. (canceled)

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A system comprising:
the self-cleaning electrochemical cell of claim 1 having an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the fluid channel; and
a source of the electrolyte solution having an outlet fluidly connectable to the inlet of the self-cleaning electrochemical cell and configured to deliver the electrolyte solution at an average flow velocity through the fluid channel of 2 m/s or greater,
the self-cleaning electrochemical cell configured to produce a product compound from the electrolyte solution and to output a product solution comprising the product compound,
the self-cleaning electrochemical cell being fluidly connectable to a point of use through the outlet.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the source of the electrolyte solution comprises at least one of seawater, brackish water, and brine.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, including a plurality of self-cleaning electrochemical cells arranged in series.

### Claim 14

A self-cleaning electrochemical cell comprising:
a cathode and an anode disposed concentrically in a housing about a central axis of the housing;
a fluid channel defined between the cathode and the anode and extending substantially parallel to the central axis;
a first end cap coupled to a first end of the housing and a second end cap coupled to a second end of the housing, each of the first and second end caps including a substantially centrally located aperture and a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid channel, the fluid conduit of the first end cap comprising a zone of a first radius and a zone of a second radius greater than the first radius; and
an inlet cone disposed within the fluid conduit of the first end cap and configured to define a flow path for an electrolyte solution into the fluid channel,
the zone of the second radius having a length selected to maintain fully-developed flow through the flow path.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The self-cleaning electrochemical cell of claim 14, wherein the zone of the second radius has a length between 1 and 10 times a hydraulic diameter of the flow path.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The self-cleaning electrochemical cell of claim 14, wherein the fluid conduit of the first end cap is dimensioned to maintain an inlet pressure of the electrolyte solution below about 120 kPa.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The self-cleaning electrochemical cell of claim 14, wherein the inlet cone is dimensioned to maintain a pressure drop within the self-cleaning electrochemical cell between 0 and 19 kPa.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The self-cleaning electrochemical cell of claim 17, wherein the inlet cone is a right circular cone having an apex angle of between 20° and 90°.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The self-cleaning electrochemical cell of claim 18, wherein the inlet cone is a right circular cone having an apex angle of between 40° and 60°.

### Claim 20 (depends on 14)

The self-cleaning electrochemical cell of claim 14, further comprising an outlet frustum disposed within the fluid conduit of the second end cap and configured to define a flow path for the electrolyte solution from the fluid channel out of the self-cleaning electrochemical cell.

### Claim at position 12

21-50. (canceled)