Electrochemical cells utilizing taylor vortex flows

An electrochemical cell (10) used for converting chemical energy into electrical energy comprising:

• a. a first electrode (36) that is—
• i. reactive with a first chemical entering its pores from its first surface (44) to produce a first ion at its second surface layer(36′);
• b. a second electrode (34) that is—
• i. reactive with a second chemical entering its pores from its first surface (32) to produce a second ion at its second surface (34) having a charge different from that of the first ion, and
• ii. within the first electrode (36) so that a chamber (40) is created between the second surface layers (36′ and 34′) of the two electrodes (36 and 34);
• c. a fluid electrolyte in the chamber (40);
• and
• d. means for moving one electrode (36 or 34) with respect to the other
• electrode (34 or 36) to create flows (50) in the fluid electrolyte so as to generate a voltage across the electrodes (36, 34) that are adapted to be connected to an external electrical circuit.

A process for operating an electrochemical cell (10) to produce electricity for transmission to an external load comprising:

• a. pumping a reductant through anode electrode (34) of the cell (10);
• b. pumping an oxidizer through cathode electrode (36) of the cell (10);
• c. pumping electrolyte into electrolyte chamber (40) of the cell (10) that is located between the electrodes (34 and 36);
• and
• d. rotating one electrode (34 or 36) with respect to the other electrode (36 or 34) at a rate sufficient to cause Taylor Vortex Flows (50) in the electrolyte chamber (40).

A system for enhancing catalyzed reaction rates at porous catalytic surfaces (34′, 36′) of an electrochemical cell (10) used to convert chemical energy into electrical energy, the system comprising:

• a. a first electrode (34) having a first porous catalytic surface layer (34′);
• b. a second electrode (36) having a second porous catalytic surface layer (36′);
• c. the first electrode (34) and the second electrode (36) defining an electrolyte chamber (40) between the first porous catalytic surface layer (34′) of the first electrode (34) and the second porous catalytic surface layer (36′) of the second electrode (36), the electrolyte chamber (40) including an electrolyte input tube (42) configured so that a liquid electrolyte passing through the electrolyte chamber (40) from the electrolyte input tube (42) passes adjacent the first and second electrodes (34, 36);
• and,
• d. the electrolyte chamber (40) being dimensioned, and at least one of the first electrode (34) or the second electrode (36) being configured to rotate relative to the other of the first electrode (34) or the second electrode (36) at a rate of rotation adequate to produce Taylor Vortex Flows (50) within the liquid electrolyte flowing from the electrolyte input tube (42) through the electrolyte chamber (40).

An electrochemical cell (10) used to convert chemical energy into electrical energy and comprising:

• a. a first surface (34′) that contains a catalyst,
• b. a second surface,
• c. a fluid between the surfaces (34′36′), and
• d. means (34, 36) for generating Taylor Vortex Flows (50) in
• the fluid that is enveloped by a laminar shear boundary (58) adjacent to one of the surfaces (34′, 36′).

An electrochemical cell (12) used to convert chemical energy into electrical energy and comprising:

• a. a cathode electrode (36, 36′),
• b. an anode electrode (34, 34′),
• c. a fluid electrolyte between the electrodes (36, 36′ 34, 34′), and
• d. means (34, 36) for generating a Taylor Vortex Flows (50) in the electrolyte that is enveloped by a laminar shear boundary (58) adjacent one of the electrodes (36, 36′ 34, 34′).