Electrochemical apparatus for energy storage and/or power delivery comprising multi-compartment cells

An electrochemical apparatus for energy storage and/or power delivery comprising, in combination:

• (a) means for defining a single cell or an array of repeating cell structures, each cell with a chamber (+.sup.ve chamber) containing a +.sup.ve electrode and a chamber (-.sup.ve chamber) containing a -.sup.ve electrode,
• (b) means comprising a plurality of cation exchange membranes for separating the +.sup.ve chamber and the -.sup.ve chamber of each cell by at least one intermediate chamber for collecting therein unwanted ionic species which cross the cation exchange membranes from the +.sup.ve or -.sup.ve chamber,
• (c) means for circulating an electrolyte containing iron through the +.sup.ve chamber,
• (d) means for circulating an electrolyte containing a sulfide and a soluble, ionic salt, selected from salts of the group consisting of sodium, potassium, lithium and ammonium salts, which acts as a charge carrier during power delivery, through the -.sup.ve chamber,
• (e) means for connecting said +.sup.ve electrodes to energy source (charging) means and for delivery (discharge) load means, and
• (f) means for recharging the system by driving a DC current into the +.sup.ve electrode and out of the -.sup.ve electrode.

An electrochemical apparatus for energy storage and power delivery comprising, in combination:

• (a) means for defining a single cell or an array of repeating cell structures, each cell with a chamber (+.sup.ve chamber) containing a +.sup.ve electrode and a chamber (-.sup.ve chamber) containing a -.sup.ve electrode,
• (b) means comprising a plurality of cation exchange membranes for separating the +.sup.ve chamber and the -.sup.ve chamber of each cell by at least one intermediate chamber,
• (c) means for circulating a +.sup.ve electrolyte containing bromine through the +.sup.ve chamber,
• (d) means for circulating a -.sup.ve electrolyte containing sulfide through the -.sup.ve chamber,
• (e) means for circulating an idler electrolyte through the said intermediate chamber for collecting unwanted ionic species which cross the cation exchange membranes from the +.sup.ve or -.sup.ve chamber,
• (f) means for connecting said +.sup.ve electrodes to energy source (charging) means and to delivery (discharge) load means, and
• (g) means for recharging the system by driving a DC current into the +.sup.ve electrode and out of the -.sup.ve electrode.

An electrochemical apparatus for energy storage and power delivery comprising, in combination:

• at least one cell, the cell comprising a +.sup.ve chamber containing a +.sup.ve electrode, a -.sup.ve chamber containing a -.sup.ve electrode, at lease one intermediate chamber provided between the +.sup.ve chamber and the -.sup.ve chamber, a plurality of cation exchange membranes separating the +.sup.ve chamber from the at least one intermediate chamber and separating the at least one intermediate chamber from the -.sup.ve chamber, a +.sup.ve electrolyte a -.sup.ve electrolyte and an idler electrolyte;
• means for circulating the +.sup.ve electrolyte through the +.sup.ve chamber;
• means for circulating the -.sup.ve electrolyte through the -.sup.ve chamber;
• means for circulating the idler electrolyte through the at least one intermediate chamber for collecting unwanted ionic species which cross the cation exchange membranes from the +.sup.ve or -.sup.ve chamber;
• a power source for recharging the apparatus by driving a DC current therethrough;
• and
• external terminals for connecting the +.sup.ve electrode and the -.sup.ve electrode to the power source or to a load.