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US 4,528,248 AGranted
Electrochemical cell and method
AssigneeLockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
InventorAndrew D. Galbraith
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Abstract
An electrochemical cell and method whereby a reactive metal anode is contacted with an aqueous electrolyte containing the hydroxide of the anodic metal, and the electrolyte is circulated to a scrubber for contact with carbon dioxide. In the scrubber, the precipitable carbonate of the anodic metal is formed, thereby reducing the metal hydroxide concentration in the electrolyte. The metal carbonate is separated from the electrolyte and the electrolyte is recirculated to the cell.
Claims14
An electrochemical cell, comprising:
- a reactive alkali metal anode;
- a cathode spaced from said anode to define an electrochemical reaction zone;
- an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said reactive metal;
- means contacting said electrolyte with carbon dioxide to form a carbonate reaction product of said metal hydroxide and said carbon dioxide;
- means for separating said reaction product from said electrolyte;
- and,
- means for recirculating said electrolyte from said contacting means to said reaction zone.
4 more elements
A method of generating power from an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of:
- (a) supplying an electrolyte to an electrochemical reaction zone defined between a cathode and a reactive alkali metal anode of said cell, said electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of said reactive metal;
- (b) conducting said electrolyte to a gas/liquid contacting means and reacting with carbon dioxide to form a carbonate reaction product of said metal hydroxide and said carbon dioxide;
- (c) separating said reaction product from said electrolyte;
- and,
- (d) recirculating said electrolyte to said reaction zone.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.