Review of thermally regenerative electrochemical systems. Volume I. Synopsis and executive summary

Technical Report · Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5030338· OSTI ID:5030338

Chum, H. L.; Osteryoung, R. A.

Thermally regenerative electrochemical systems (TRES) are closed systems that convert heat into electricity in an electrochemical heat engine that is Carnot cycle limited in efficiency. Past and present work on such systems is reviewed. Two broad classes of TRES are based on the types of energy inputs required for regeneration: thermal alone and coupled thermal and electrolytic. The thermal regeneration alone encompasses electrochemical systems (galvanic or fuel cells) in which one or more products are formed. The regeneration can be performed in single or multiple steps. The compounds include metal hydrides, halides, oxides, chalcogenides, and alloys or bimetallic systems. The coupled thermal and electrolytic regeneration encompasses electrochemical systems (galvanic or fuel cells) regenerated by electrolysis at a different temperature or different pressure. Examples include metal halides and water. Thermogalvanic or nonisothermal cells are included in this category. Also included are electrochemical engines in which the working electroactive fluid is isothermally expanded through an electrolyte. TRES cover temperature ranges from about 20/sup 0/C to 1000/sup 0/C. Engines with power outputs of 0.1 mW/cm/sup 2/ to 1 W/cm/sup 2/ have been demonstrated. Recommendations are made of areas of research in science and engineering that would have long-range benefit to a TRES program.

• Research Organization: Solar Energy Research Inst. (SERI), Golden, CO (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-77CH00178
• OSTI ID: 5030338
• Report Number(s): SERI/TR-332-416(Vol.1)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
14 SOLAR ENERGY
25 ENERGY STORAGE
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
REGENERATION
REGENERATIVE FUEL CELLS
REVIEWS
ELECTROCHEMICAL ENGINES
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROLYTES
HEAT SOURCES
REACTORS
REDOX FUEL CELLS
REGENERATORS
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
CHEMISTRY
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DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY CONVERSION
FUEL CELLS
LYSIS
300500* - Fuel Cells
140500 - Solar Energy Conversion
250902 - Energy Storage- Batteries- Performance & Testing