WO2014045153A1

WO2014045153A1 - Generating power by guiding heated sea water in the primary battery

Info

Publication number: WO2014045153A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/058314
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rajendiran KANDASWAMY; Vignesh RAJENDIRAN
Original assignee: Kandaswamy Rajendiran; Rajendiran Vignesh
Priority date: 2012-09-20
Filing date: 2013-09-05
Publication date: 2014-03-27

Abstract

The invention is an electric power generating system, comprising of one or more cells each having an anode, a cathode and an earthode. The electrolyte used to generate continuous electric power is sea water. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for generating electric power by applying said system.

Description

GENERATING POWER BY GUIDING HEATED SEA WATER IN THE

PRIMARY BATTERY

This complete specification is based on the inventions disclosed in Indian Patent Application numbers 3904/CHE/2012 filed on 20.09.2012 and 51 10/CHE/2012 and 07.12.2012 both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for generating electricity using renewable energy. Particularly, to systems and methods for generating electricity using seawater.

BACK GROUND OF THE INVENTION

The development of petrochemical and coal energy caused the Industrial Revolution. However, following fast development of the industry and requirement of household applications, the consumption of energy becomes more and more heavy. The application of natural resources to produce energy also produce waste gases that contain carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and/or other different chemical compounds. The exhaust substances may cause a severe environmental pollution problem. In order to reduce environmental pollution, green battery energy is promoted. A battery uses hydrogen and oxygen to make a chemical reaction, to further produce electricity. Because electric energy is directly obtained from the chemical reaction, battery energy has the advantages of low pollution and high efficiency.

There are two common types of batteries Primary and Secondary. The term "Primary" is used to describe this type because the materials inside the battery are the prime source of the electric power it delivers. In primary cells, this electrochemical reaction is not reversible. During discharging, the chemical compounds are permanently changed and electrical energy released until the original compounds are completely exhausted. Thus the cells can be used only once. While the "secondary" (or rechargeable) batteries have to receive a charge before they could deliver any power.

A flow battery is a rechargeable fuel (secondary battery) cell in which electrolyte containing one or more dissolved electro active species flows through an electrochemical cell that reversibly converts chemical energy directly to electricity. Electrolyte is stored and charged externally, generally in tanks, and is usually pumped through the cell (or cells) of the reactor, although gravity feed systems are also known.

Cells using anode, cathode and an electrolyte to generate electric power are generally known in the art. Using sea water as an electrolyte is also known. Most batteries in the prior art are storage batteries. Current producing capacity of the hitherto known batteries are extremely limited.

When the anode is connected to the cathode through an external circuit, the cell undergoes discharge. REDOX occurs: the anode material loses electrons (oxidation) and the cathode material gains electrons (reduction). In a cell/battery, REDOX occurs only at the surface of the electrodes.

The electrons can flow from the anode to the cathode through an electric circuit. Ions form on both electrodes and flow through the electrolyte to react with one another to form new stable compounds. In most practical batteries, the discharge product is formed on the surface of the cathode. In course of time the surface of the electrodes are covered with these product and affecting the effective surface area. Which leads to failure of cell/battery. Therefore, there exists a need for a system that continuously generates electricity on continuous availability of electrolytes and the electrodes and generate reasonably high quantity of electric power. Therefore it is an object of the invention to develop a system to generate electrical power using renewable energy.

It is yet another object of the invention to develop a system to generate electric power that is environment friendly.

It is yet another object of the invention to generate reasonably high quantity of continuous power on continuous availability of electrolytes and electrodes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is disclosed herein, a system for generating electricity from an electrolyte comprising of one or more batteries consisting of a plurality of cells, characterized in that, each cell has an housing with an inlet to continuously receive an electrolyte and an outlet to discharge the used electrolyte, an anode positioned at one end inside the housing, a cathode positioned at another end inside the housing, an earthode positioned in between the said anode and cathode and one or more separators placed in between the said anode and earthode and earthode and cathode.

It is disclosed herein a system for generating electricity from an electrolyte comprising of one or more batteries consisting of a plurality of cells, characterized in that, each cell has an housing with a partition in the middle forming a first partition and a second partition and each partition having an inlet to continuously receive the electrolyte and an outlet to discharge the said electrolyte, the said first partition further comprises an anode and an earthode separated by a separator and the second partition further comprises an anode and earthode separated by a separator, wherein the earthode of the first partition and the second partition are connected to each other and to the ground.

It is disclosed herein a system for generating electricity from an electrolyte comprising of at least two cells, characterized in that, each cell has an housing having an inlet to continuously receive the electrolyte and an outlet to discharge the said electrolyte, the first cell houses an anode and an earthode and a separator in between the anode and earthode, the second cell houses a cathode and an earthode and a separator in between, wherein the earthode of the first cell and the second cell are connected to each other and to the ground.

It is disclosed herein a system for generating electricity from an electrolyte comprising of one or more cells, each cell having an outer casing with an inlet to continuously supply an electrolyte, an outlet to discharge the used electrolyte, an earthode in the form and shape of the outer casing housed within the outer casing, a first separator in the shape and form like the earthode housed before the earthode, the said separator having a second separator in the middle forming two partitions housing an anode in the first partition and a cathode in the second partition. It is disclosed herein, a method of generating electric power by leading an electrolyte in to a cell having an housing with an inlet to continuously receive the electrolyte and an outlet to discharge the used electrolyte, an anode positioned at one end inside the housing, a cathode positioned at another end inside the housing, an earthode positioned in between the said anode and cathode and one or more separators placed in between the said anode and earthode and earthode and cathode.

It is disclosed herein a method of generating electric power by leading an electrolyte in to a cell having an housing with a partition in the middle forming a first partition and a second partition and each partition having an inlet to continuously receive the electrolyte and an outlet to discharge the said electrolyte, the said first partition further comprises an anode and an earthode separated by a separator and the second partition further comprises an anode and earthode separated by a separator, wherein the earthode of the first partition and the second partition are connected to each other and to the ground.

It is disclosed herein a method of generating electric power by leading an electrolyte in to two cells, each cell having an housing having an inlet to continuously receive the electrolyte and an outlet to discharge the said electrolyte, the first cell houses an anode and an earthode and a separator in between the anode and earthode, the second cell houses a cathode and an earthode and a separator in between, wherein the earthode of the first cell and the second cell are connected to each other and to the ground. It is disclosed herein a method of generating electric power by leading an electrolyte in to a cell having an outer casing with an inlet to continuously supply an electrolyte, an outlet to discharge the used electrolyte, an earthode in the form and shape of the outer casing housed within the outer casing, a first separator in the shape and form like the earthode housed before the earthode, the said separator having a second separator in the middle forming two partitions housing an anode in the first partition and a cathode in the second partition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig 1 illustrates one of the embodiments of the invention.

Fig 2 illustrates one of the embodiments of the invention

Fig 3 illustrates one of the embodiments of the invention

Fig 4 illustrates one of the embodiments of the invention

Fig 4(a) Illustrates a cross - sectional elevation view of the embodiment of the invention along the dashed line Y Y Fig 4(b) Illustrates a cross - sectional elevation view of the embodiment of the invention along the dashed line X X

Fig 5 illustrates a layout of one of the embodiments of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention and its various embodiments is better understood by reading the description along with the accompanying drawings which appear herein for purpose of illustration only and does not limit the invention in any way. The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a power generating method, which uses seawater as an electrolyte to generate electricity. Referring to Fig.1 , a cell (101 ) is made up of anode(102), cathode(103), earthode (104) separated by perforated separators(105), Electrolyte is allowed to flow through inlet(106) and guiding over the anode, cathode and earthode and exit through outlet(107). Chemical energy in the seawater can be converted into electrical energy. Seawater acts as an electrolyte. Any commonly known anode material can be used, preferably, iron coated with zinc. For cathode any commonly known material can be used, preferably, lead oxide. A new electrode is introduced named "Earthode" which increases capacity of the battery is disclosed. Earthode can be earthed/grounded. During Electrochemical process Earthode minimize quantity of the formed products at electrodes. The formed products could be washed by allowing the seawater flowing over the electrodes and Earthode. The earthode is preferably an oxide of carbon. Referring to Fig 2, the Cell (400) is made of two compartment "A" and "C". Compartment "A" is Anode Compartment and "C" is cathode compartment. Electrolyte is allowed to flow through inlet(106) and guiding over the anode, cathode and earthode and exit through outlet(107).

Compartment "A" is made up of anode (102), separator (105) and earthode (104). Inlet of Seawater is (106) and outlet is (107). Anode(102) is connected with negative terminal and earthode is connected with earth terminal.

Compartment "B" is made up of Cathode (103), separator (105) and earthode (104). Inlet of Seawater is (106) and outlet is (107). Cathode (103) connected with positive terminal and earthode is connected with earth terminal.

Referring to Fig 3, the Cell is made of two half cells "A" (99) and "C"(101 ). "A" is Anode Cell and "C" is cathode cell located at a distance apart.

Anode cell (99) consists of anode(102) , separator (105), Earthode (104) . Electrolyte is allowed to flow through inlet(106) and guiding over the anode, earthode and separators and exit through outlet(107).

Cathode cell (101 ) consists of cathode(103) , separator (105), Earthode (104). Electrolyte is allowed to flow through inlet(106) and guiding over the cathode, earthode and separators and exit through outlet(107). Both earthode (104) located in anode cell(99) and cathode cell(101 ) are connected and earthed/grounded.

Referring to Figs. 4, 4(a) and 4(b), the cell (98) consists of anodes(102) ,cathodes (103) separators (105) , inlet(106) and outlet (107). The anode (102) cathode(103) and separators are surrounded by earthode (104). Electrolyte is allowed to flow through inlet(106) and guiding over the cathode, earthode and separators and exit through outlet(107). All the anodes, cathodes, separators and earthode is immersed in the flowing seawater

As the capacity of the battery is directly proportional to the temperature, electrolyte seawater is heated within the range of 15°C to 100°C by suitable means. In order to recharge, heated Seawater is allowed to flow in to the battery/cell /reactor in a predefined velocity and discharge through the inlet and outlet.

Beside anode and cathode, another electrode earthode is newly introduced to increase the number of electrons/speed of the electrons. Earthode is connected externally with cathode or earthed / grounded with natural earth

Natural air is supplied to increase the dissolved oxygen in the electrolyte. Hydrogen peroxide H2O2 is added in the electrolyte increase the dissolved oxygen in the electrolyte. If necessary electrodes may be covered with membrane, depending on the quantity of the chemicals present in the seawater (other than Nacl)

Referring to Fig.5, the electrolyte sea water is stored in the tank 500 and dispensed into the air pump and into the heating unit as necessary in a controlled manner to supply electrical power to load. The electrolyte "sea water" is supplied from the stored tank (500) through the pipe. As the natural air contains the oxygen, natural air is circulated into the electrolyte by the motor (200) in the electrolyte, thus increasing the dissolved oxygen in the electrolyte. Heating unit (300) heats the sea water through solar heater unit. If the heated seawater is already available (one example could be outlet from the thermal stations) heated seawater can be supplied through pipe and thus limiting the usage of heating unit (300). Hydrogen peroxide is adding unit (600). Heated seawater with increased dissolved oxygen enters in the container 1000 which contains serious of reactors /cells 400 or 101 or (99 and 101 ) or 98. The number of cells could be increased or decreased depends on the power requirements.

The Arrhenius equation defines the relationship between temperature and the rate at which a chemical action proceeds. It shows that the rate increases exponentially as temperature rises.

The internal resistance of a flow battery depends upon the electrolyte solution temperature. Typically, as the electrolyte temperature increases, the internal resistance decreases and hence the efficiency of the system increases. Therefore, to operate the battery system efficiently, the flow battery system shall be operated at a high temperature. Seawater is heated by suitable means one example could be heating by solar heater.

Natural air is circulated prior or later to heating the seawater in order to speed up oxidation-reduction process in a cell or reaction tank.

Experiments are conducted by connecting the cells in serial as well as in parallel to meet the power requirement. It is observed that the life of the battery is increased by connecting the cell in parallel. Since the cells/batteries are connected in parallel low Potential Difference and higher current can be achieved. By the well-established electronics and electrical methods low voltage and higher current can be converted into higher power requirements such as Kilowatts and Megawatts.

The battery of this invention can be made in almost any arbitrary shape and constructed from relatively inexpensive materials such as iron, zinc, carbon, lead oxide and it is not difficult to fabricate. A reduction and oxidation flow cell is the minimal component Multiple flow cells can be coupled (e.g stacked) to form a multiple cell battery. The redox flow cell works by changing the oxidation state of its constituents during discharging. The two half cell of the basic redox flow cell are connected in series by the conductive electrolytes, one for anodic reaction and other for cathodic reaction. The electrode in each half cell includes a defined area upon which the redox reaction takes place.

It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that with the advance of technology, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in a plurality of ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not restricted to the above examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Further the above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

We Claim:

1 . A system for generating electricity from an electrolyte comprising of one or more batteries consisting of a plurality of cells, characterized in that, each cell has an housing with an inlet to continuously receive an electrolyte and an outlet to discharge the used electrolyte, an anode positioned at one end inside the housing, a cathode positioned at another end inside the housing, an earthode positioned in between the said anode and cathode and one or more separators placed in between the said anode and earthode and earthode and cathode.

2. A system for generating electricity from an electrolyte comprising of one or more batteries consisting of a plurality of cells, characterized in that, each cell has an housing with a partition in the middle forming a first partition and a second partition and each partition having an inlet to continuously receive the electrolyte and an outlet to discharge the said electrolyte, the said first partition further comprises an anode and an earthode separated by a separator and the second partition further comprises a cathode and earthode separated by a separator, wherein the earthode of the first partition and the second partition are connected to each other and to the ground.

3. A system for generating electricity from an electrolyte comprising of at least two cells, characterized in that, each cell has an housing having an inlet to continuously receive the electrolyte and an outlet to discharge the said electrolyte, the first cell houses an anode and an earthode and a separator in between the anode and earthode, the second cell houses a cathode and an earthode and a separator in between, wherein the earthode of the first cell and the second cell are connected to each other and to the ground.

4. A system for generating electricity from an electrolyte comprising of one or more cells, each cell having an outer casing with an inlet to continuously supply an electrolyte, an outlet to discharge the used electrolyte, an earthode connected to the ground in the form and shape of the outer casing housed within the outer casing, a first separator in the shape and form like the earthode housed before the earthode, the said separator having a second separator in the middle forming two partitions housing an anode in the first partition and a cathode in the second partition.

5. A system as claimed in any of the claims 1 , 2, 3 or 4 wherein temperature of the said electrolyte may be increased to a temperature more than the room temperature.

6. A system as claimed in claims 1 , 2, 3 or 4 wherein to the said electrolyte oxygen may be added before circulating the said electrolyte in the housing

7. A system as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the said electrolyte is sea water.

8. A system as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the said cathode is selected from any metals and their metal oxides, preferably, Lead Oxide

9. A system as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the said anode is selected from any metals and their metal oxides, preferably, zinc coated over iron

10. A system as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the said earthode is selected from any electricity conducting material, preferably, an oxide of carbon.

1 1 . A method of generating electric power by leading an electrolyte in to a cell having an housing with an inlet to continuously receive the electrolyte and an outlet to discharge the used electrolyte, an anode positioned at one end inside the housing, a cathode positioned at another end inside the housing, an earthode positioned in between the said anode and cathode and one or more separators placed in between the said anode and earthode and earthode and cathode.

12. A method of generating electric power by leading an electrolyte in to a cell having an housing with a partition in the middle forming a first partition and a second partition and each partition having an inlet to continuously receive the electrolyte and an outlet to discharge the said electrolyte, the said first partition further comprises an anode and an earthode separated by a separator and the second partition further comprises a cathode and earthode separated by a separator, wherein the earthode of the first partition and the second partition are connected to each other and to the ground.

13. A method of generating electric power by leading an electrolyte in to two cells, each cell having an housing having an inlet to continuously receive the electrolyte and an outlet to discharge the said electrolyte, the first cell houses an anode and an earthode and a separator in between the anode and earthode, the second cell houses a cathode and an earthode and a separator in between, wherein the earthode of the first cell and the second cell are connected to each other and to the ground.

14. A method of generating electric power by leading an electrolyte in to a cell having an outer casing with an inlet to continuously supply an electrolyte, an outlet to discharge the used electrolyte, an earthode in the form and shape of the outer casing housed within the outer casing, a first separator in the shape and form like the earthode housed before the earthode, the said separator having a second separator in the middle forming two partitions housing an anode in the first partition and a cathode in the second partition.