Reduction of electrode dissolution
AssigneeInstitute of Gas Technology
InventorsEstela T. Ong, Leonard G. Marianowski
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Abstract
Reduction of electrode metal dissolution in electrolyte between two metal electrodes of a voltaic cell by adding an electrode metal dissolution reduction agent to the electrolyte prior to operation of the cell, the electrode metal dissolution reduction agent being a sacrificial electrode metal, a metal promoting common ion effect with one of the electrode metals, seed metal particles serving as precipitation sites for an electrode metal, and combinations thereof. Reduction of the electrode metal dissolution in the electrolyte of a voltaic cell is also achieved by maintaining a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of about 0.5 to about 1.5 atmospheres in the electrolyte during operation of the cell. The method and electrolyte is particularly suited for molten carbonate fuel cells.
Claims32
A method of reduction of electrode metal dissolution in electrolyte between two metal electrodes of a metalalkali metil carbonate electroltye fuel cell wherein oxidation Foccurs at one said electrode and reduction occurs at the second said electrode, said method comprising adding an electrode metal dissolution reduction agent to said electrolyte prior to operation of said cell, said electrode metal dissolution reduction agent selected from the group consisting of a sacrificial electrode metal, a metal promoting a common ion effect with one of said electrode metals, seed metal particles serving as precipitation sites for said electrode metal, and combinations thereof.
Method of reduction of electrode dissolution in electrolyte between two metal electrodes of a molten alkali metal carbonate electrolyte fuel cell wherein oxidation occurs at one said electrode and reduction occurs at the second said electrode, said method comprising:
- maintaining the acid/base conditions of said electrolyte during operation of said cell at near neutral by a carbon dioxide partial pressure of about 0.5 to about 1.5 atmospheres.
An electrolyte for a molten alkali metal carbonate electrolye fuel cell providing reduction of electrode metal dissolution, said electrolyte in addition to electrochemically active and support components comprising:
- an electrode metal dissolution reduction agent added to said electrolyte prior to operation of said cell, said electrode metal dissolution reduction agent selected from the group consisting of a sacrificial electrode metal, a metal promoting a common ion effect with one of said electrode metals, seed metal particles serving as precipitation sites for said electrode metal, and combinations thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.