Electrical power storage apparatus

Electrically powered transport apparatus comprising:

• an electrically powered vehicle having vehicle drive means;
• and
• rechargeable electrical power storage means, coupled to said vehicle drive means, and employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, said power storage means comprising:
• at least one metal-air cell, each cell including:
• outer electrode means including air electrode means and being configured to define a liquid permeable housing;
• a volume of said active metal particles arranged within said housing so as to define a liquid permeable static bed which is saturated with the electrolyte solution;
• and
• inner electrode means arranged within said housing so as to be surrounded by said static bed;
• and
• means for causing flow of the electrolyte solution through said housing and said static bed.

A method of extending the useful life of a rechargeable, electrical, metal-air, power storage system employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, said method comprising the following steps:

• enclosing a volume of the active metal particles in operative association with at least one air electrode associated with a first current collector, thereby providing a static bed of the active metal particles;
• saturating the static bed of active metal particles with electrolyte solution;
• arranging a second current collector in operative association with the saturated static bed;
• and
• causing a flow of the electrolyte solution through the static bed, thereby prolonging the useful life of the power storage system.

An electrical energy system comprising:

• an electric utility having electricity generation
• apparatus and distribution lines;
• a plurality of electric vehicles, each having vehicle drive means;
• a plurality of rechargeable electrical power storage units, each coupled to said vehicle drive means of one of said plurality of electric vehicles, and employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, said power storage means having at least one metal-air cell comprising:
• outer electrode means including air electrode means and being configured to define a liquid permeable housing;
• a volume of said active metal particles arranged within said housing so as to define a liquid permeable static bed which is saturated with the electrolyte solution;
• and
• inner electrode means arranged within said housing so as to be surrounded by said static bed;
• means for causing flow of the electrolyte solution through said housing and said static bed;
• and
• electrical power storage means receiving electrical power from the electric utility and supplying electrical power to each of said plurality of rechargeable electrical power storage units and to the electric utility, when required.