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U.S. Department of Energy
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Sulfite anolyte and persulfate catholyte fuel cell

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6380993

A fuel cell liquid-liquid system is described comprising aqueous anolyte solution containing sulfite or bisulfite ion in high concentration recirculating through the anolyte compartment of a two electrolyte fuel cell. After converting its chemical energy to electrical energy in the cell the spent anolyte is readily reactable to useful new products or reconstituted to fresh anolyte for re-use in the fuel cell. A class of distinctly advantageous embodiments within the general scope of the invention produces a re-usable effluent mixture of spent anolyte and catholyte to avoid the cost of handling the two effluent liquids separately, while gaining the economic advantage of maximum utilization of both fluids. The same combinable effluent characteristic makes the system tolerant to molecular diffusion or other leakage across anolyte/catholyte separating barriers. Reactions involved in electrochemical energy conversion are controllable and operable without resort to elevated temperatures or catalysis and utilize inexpensive and relatively safe chemicals.

Assignee:
General Engineering Labs.
Patent Number(s):
US 4117204
OSTI ID:
6380993
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English