CN1636251A

CN1636251A - Multiple chamber containment system

Info

Publication number: CN1636251A
Application number: CNA028260252A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 萨迪克·M·法里斯; 蔡则彬
Original assignee: Reveo Inc
Current assignee: Reveo Inc
Priority date: 2001-10-29
Filing date: 2002-10-29
Publication date: 2005-07-06
Also published as: AU2002348108A1; EP1565958A2; WO2003037512A3; JP2005512275A; AU2002348108A8; TW200423462A; KR20040060956A; TW200301978A; WO2003037512A2; TWI226720B; TWI253202B

Abstract

A container is provided generally including a first portion configured for containing a first substance and a second portion configured for containing a second substance. The first substance is applied to process, generally for production of a useful byproduct. Further, the second substance may be a useful byproduct of the process, or may be a different byproduct of the process. The volume of the first portion may be variable, the volume of the second portion may variable, or the volumes of the first portion and the second portion may be variable, such that the first portion and the second portion fit within the total volume of the container.

Description

Multi-chamber storage device

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a storage device and, more particularly, to a storage device for dispensing and collecting substances.

Background

Many devices require one or more inputreceptacles and one or more output receptacles to effect operation. For example, a chemical or electrochemical process typically has one or more input substances from separate containers and one or more output substances from separate containers.

Chemical processes, such as organic or inorganic chemical synthesis, power generation reactions, material synthesis, and biological reactions, require the use of one or more input substances that ultimately produce one or more output substances. For example, a biological response is typically a process in which an organism acts on an input substance to convert it to a different substance. For example, wastewater treatment often employs aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to precipitate waste and remove impurities.

The synthesis of many chemicals, including organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals, and various combinations thereof, typically involves the input of one or more substances into a reactor to form a desired output substance or product. In many cases, by-products are also produced. The device provides a vessel or other container for each input substance and product, and if necessary also for any by-products that may be formed. In this way, the various vessels and other containers increase the overall area of space required to store the device. When the process has not yet started, the output vessel is empty, whereas when the process has ended, the input substance vessel is empty, thus effectively creating a waste of these spaces. Furthermore, some devices are designed such that the original pressure of the input substance in the vessel generates a portion of the force, at least a portion of which delivers the substance to the reactor. When the volume in the vessel decreases, the pressure of the substance remaining in the vessel decreases.

The power generation process typically converts one or more substances into byproducts while producing usable electrical energy. Typical electrochemical devices include fuel cells, such as metal air fuel cells, hydrocarbon based fuel cells, such as proton exchange membrane fuel cells, and solid oxide fuel cells. In addition, various biological processes typically utilize enzymes and glucose materials as fuels to produce usable energy. Furthermore, a number of cell arrangements are known which are essentially fuel cells with limited fuel supply, especially some cells using an anolyte and a catholyte.

Metal air fuel cells are based on the electrochemical conversion of metals, such as zinc or lithium, into their oxides in air and in corrosive electrolytes. Various arrangements for metal air fuel cells are disclosed in commonly assigned pending U.S. application No.09/578,798 entitled "fuel containment and Recycling System", filed on 12.5.2000 by Faris et al, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Solid oxide fuel cells are typically based on a hydrocarbon fuel, such as a mixture of methanol and water. The fuel is consumed to produce electricity and produce a byproduct, water. The mixture is generally used as a fuel, and by-products are released or stored. In many applications, such as automation, it is not practical to store the by-products in separate vessels due to space constraints. In many applications the by-products are reintroduced into the fuel blend. However, this dilutes the mixed fuel and lowers the fuel supply rate in the operation of the fuel cell.

Another hydrogen-based fuel cell is one that employs a hydrogen source fuel such as sodium borohydride. Such cells are disclosed in U.S. patent No. 5,948,558, "High energy density boride-containing batteries" (High energy density batteries) and U.S. patent No. 5,804,329, "electro-conversion cells" (electro conversion cells). Typically, sodium borohydride is mixed with water to release hydrogen for conversion into useful energy. Thus, sodium oxyboride is produced as a by-product.

Another form of electrochemical device is a redox cell, in which case the metal and halide act as the anode and catholyte, respectively, and react in the electrolyte to produce an electric current. Traditionally, the anolyte and/or catholyte are either fed continuously or batch-wise simultaneously diluted throughout the electrochemical reaction.

Many of the foregoing devices, as well as others, must use multiple containers to individually hold different volumes of the substance. Other devices that do not allow the species generated in the process to occupy a separate volume, reduce efficiency due to reduced reactant concentrations.

Various arrangements for metal air fuel cells that address the above problems are disclosed in co-pending U.S. application No.09/570,598 entitled "fuel storage and recovery device" filed on 12/5/2000, which is incorporated herein by reference. The above application claims an apparatus that encompasses the various apparatuses described herein and that various embodiments and other embodiments described in detail herein are intended to be within the scope of the present application.

Disclosure of Invention

Several methods and apparatus according to the present invention may overcome or mitigate the above-described problems and deficiencies of the prior art. Wherein the container according to the invention has a first part for containing a first substance and a second part for containing a second substance. Typically, a first species is supplied to the process, producing a useful byproduct. Also, the second substance may be a useful byproduct of the process, or may be a different byproduct of the process.

Generally, the main advantage of the container is that the first and second substances can be stored in a relatively large volume. This is true in transportation systems, such as automobiles, aircraft, spacecraft, water containers, and the like; a satellite system; a building; a personal device; and other situations where reduced volume is desired.

In various embodiments, the by-product produces useful energy, typically electrical energy. In yet another embodiment, a useful byproduct is a thermal energy byproduct, such as an increase or decrease in temperature. In yet another embodiment, the useful byproduct is a substance, such as a chemical. In other various embodiments, a useful byproduct is mechanical energy. In yet another embodiment, the useful byproduct is light.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a multi-compartment storage device having an input substance portion and an output substance portion operatively connected to a process.

FIG. 2 is yet another embodiment of a multi-compartment storage device including a processing step.

FIG. 3 is one embodiment of a pair of multi-compartment storage device arrangements coupled to a process.

FIG. 4 is one embodiment of a multi-compartment storage device using an additional input (external to the multi-compartment storage device).

FIG. 5A is one embodiment of a multi-compartment storage device having a pair of portions for loading substances.

FIG. 5B is yet another embodiment of a multi-compartment storage device having a pair of input substance portions, one of which is circulating in the process.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of a multi-compartment storage device having a pair of output substance portions.

Fig. 7A and 7B illustrate one embodiment of a multi-compartment storage device configuration.

Fig. 8A and 8B illustrate another embodiment of a multi-compartment storage device configuration.

Fig. 9A and 9B illustrate yet another embodiment of a multi-compartment storage device configuration.

Fig. 10A and 10B illustrate yet another embodiment of a multi-compartment storage device configuration.

Detailed Description

Disclosed herein is a container for holding a plurality of substances, particularly an input substance and an output substance, wherein the terms "input" and "output" are generally relative to the associated process. The container includes a first portion for containing a first substance and a second portion for containing a second substance. The first species is typically used in the process to generate useful byproducts. Also, the second substance may be a useful byproduct of the process, or a different byproduct of the process.

The process may include various operations. In general, any desired process steps may be performed on one or more input substances to produce one or more output substances. For example, the process may be a condenser or liquefier for converting a gas to a liquid or compressed gas. Alternatively, the process may be a transfer step, such as a pump. In this way, the process is used to place one or more liquids into one or more portions of the container. Also, the process may be separate, such as a crystallization operation or a distillation operation. In this way, the process may have additional inputs and/or outputs, which may or may not be contained in the vessel. In addition, the process may include a compacting device for compacting the solid or solid/liquid mixture to hold larger volumes.

The process steps may also include an electrochemical cell in which one or more input substances are used as consumable electrode materials. Also, such an electrochemical cell may comprise a plurality of electrochemical cells. In this manner, multiple electrochemical cells may be connected in series or in parallel to provide different voltage and/or current levels.

The container has a total volume that may be defined by one or more rigid or flexible walls. The container includes a first portion for containing a first substance and a second portion for containing a second substance. The volume of the first or second portion may be varied, or both, so that the first portion and the second portion fit exactly within the total volume. In one embodiment, the volume of the first portion and the volume of the second portion are reversibly changeable. In another embodiment, a movable stop separates the first portion and the second portion. The stop may be moved by an external force, such as a manual or mechanical force. Movement of the stopper can be triggered by electricity, chemical injection, heat, light, and the like. The structure may also be a bag made of a suitable material, for example, capable of expanding and contracting, and being chemically stable and non-reactive with the substance it is desired to contain.

Also, the stopper itself may include a process, such as allowing liquid or solid communication between portions of the container. For example, an electrolytic membrane, electrode, permeable membrane, filter, or other structure or material may be included in or on the barrier to convert the materialin one portion to another material or a different state contained in another portion.

Pending U.S. application No.09/570,798 entitled "fuel storage and recovery device", filed on 12.5.2000 by Sadeg m.faris, tsepi, Wayne Yao and Yuen-MingChang, the container described therein being similar to that described herein, is hereby incorporated by reference. Fig. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B and 10A, 10B illustratively depict various container configurations.

Fig. 7A shows a container 710 having a first portion 712 and a second portion 714 separated by a movable stop 716, the stop 716 being movable with the aid of a structure 722, which structure 722 may include a screw-type thread, a linear actuator, or the like. Fig. 7B illustrates the container 710 having a larger volume in the second portion 714 due to the movement of the stop 716.

Fig. 8A illustrates a container 810 having a first portion 812 and a second portion 814 separated by a movably-operable barrier 816, the barrier 816 being movable with the assistance of a structure 822, which may include a screw-type thread, a linear actuator, or the like. FIG. 8B illustrates the container 810 with the second portion 814 having a larger volume due to the movement of the stop 816. In the container 810, an example of a related process is further described herein that transforms a material from one portion to another material or to a different state while also acting as a barrier to keep the containers spaced apart.

Fig. 9A shows a container 910 having a first portion 912 and a second portion 914, wherein the volume of the first portion 912 is determined by the space between the inner wall of the container 910 and the outer wall of the second portion 914. Fig. 9B shows the container 910 having a larger volume of the second portion 914 due to the loading of the substance, with a corresponding decrease in volume of the first portion 912.

Fig. 10A shows a container 1010 having a first portion 1012 and a second portion 1014, wherein the volume of the first portion 1012 and the volume of the second portion 1014 have a reversibly changeable relationship in the container 1010. Fig. 10B shows container 1010 having a larger volume in second portion 1014 due to the loading of the substance, with a corresponding reduction in the volume of first portion 1014.

The substances in the first and second parts may be the same or different. In an apparatus where the substance is the same in the first part and the second part, for example, the substance from the first part can be controllably supplied to one or more batch processes, for example, as a carrier. A third part, in the other source or container, provides a carrier substance which is acted upon in the process. The carrier material is then deposited in the second portion immediately after the batch process has ended.

In devices with different substances, the first substance and the second substance may be completely different, e.g. for a specific process of mixing the different substances together. Alternatively, the second substance can be extracted with the first substance during the process, for example, by altering the first substance during the process to form the second substance. Note that the first substance may be altered by treatment alone (e.g. under the influence of electricity, temperature, pressure, filtration or purification), by mixing or reacting with another substance (which may be stored in or supplied from another part of the container, or stored in or supplied from a source external to the vessel), or both.

The substance in each fraction can be any desired substance and mixtures thereof. The first substance may comprise any material in a solid, liquid, gaseous state, or a mixture of phases, wherein a multi-chamber structure may be used. Likewise, the second substance may be any material resulting from the above process including solid, liquid, gaseous and mixed phases. Thus, various mixtures of the first/second materials are shown in Table 1.

Table 1: mixing of first/second substances

A first part of matter
A first part of matter								First, the II Part (A) Is divided into Article (A) Quality of food		Qi (Qi)	Gas-liquid	Gas-solid	Liquid for treating urinary tract infection	Solid-liquid	Fixing device
Qi (Qi)	x	x	x	x	x	x				Qi (Qi)	Gas-liquid	Gas-solid	Liquid for treating urinary tract infection	Solid-liquid	Fixing device
Qi (Qi)	x	x	x	x	x	x	Gas-liquid		x	x	x	x	x	x
Gas-solid	x	x	x	x	x	x	Gas-liquid		x	x	x	x	x	x
Gas-solid	x	x	x	x	x	x	Liquid for treating urinary tract infection		x	x	x	x	x	x
Solid-liquid	x	x	x	x	x	x	Liquid for treating urinary tract infection		x	x	x	x	x	x
Solid-liquid	x	x	x	x	x	x	Fixing device		x	x	x	x	x	x

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience of description, the same technical features in the drawings and the same technical features in alternative embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Multi-chamber device 100

Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus 100 is schematically illustrated with a container assembled. The device 100 includes a container 110 having a first portion 112 and a second portion 114. The first substance, in this embodiment the input substance, is contained in the first portion 112.

The first substance is provided to the process 120 or subjected to the process 120. the process 120 may be a separate physical structure or a phenomenon of the first substance being retained in the first portion 112, hereinafter referred to as a retention phenomenon, or a combination thereof. Thus, process 120 is represented by a dashed line, indicating that it may be a separate structure, a structure integral with vessel 110, or a stagnation phenomenon. The process 120 results in the generation of a second substance or product that is contained in the second portion 114 of the container 110. The process 120 may produce one or more byproducts, such as electrical energy, thermal energy, chemical energy, mechanical energy, or light.

In the operation of process 120, at least some of the first substance in portion 112 is consumed or displaced and at least some is converted to a second substance and contained in second portion 114. Additional substances (not shown) may be added in process 120. As the second substance is produced, it is introduced into the second portion 114 of the container 110. A stop 116 separates the first portion 112 and the second portion 114. At the beginning of the operation of the process, the volume of the portion 114 may be reduced (i.e., it may be close to or equal to 0) by operation of the stop 116. In operation, as the first substance is consumed to produce the second substance, the stopper 116 may move (e.g., by mechanical means, expansion, etc.) to create an available volume for the second substance in the portion 114. Alternatively, the stop 116 may not be used (or, for example, more than two chambers in the container), while the first portion 112 and the second portion 114 may be separate containers in the container 110 (e.g., expandable and collapsible to accommodate changes in volume).

In the apparatus, if no additional material is introduced to the process 120, the volume of the vessel 110 may be equal to the larger volume of the input and output materials throughout the operation of the process 120.

First electrochemical cell embodiment of multi-compartment device 100

In one device embodiment according to exemplary device 100, process 120 includes an electrochemical cell, such as a metal-air cell. The first material input to the cell from section 112 is under continuous or batch action and includes a metal fuel such as a metal paste (e.g., zinc, magnesium, aluminum or other oxidizable metal) with an electrolyte. During operation of the metal-air cell, the metal fuel is converted to a metal oxide, which is stored as a second substance in the portion 114 of the container 110. The metal oxide may be stored in a batch or continuous manner. A useful by-product of a metal air cell is electrical energy, which can be used externally (not shown).

The process 120 includes an electrochemical cell, such as a metal air cell, and the container 110 may be a portable device, such as one suitablefor laptop computers, cell phones, power tools, other hand held devices, small delivery devices such as scooters, and the like. Also, the container 110 may be formed integrally with a device such as a floor, water or air vessel. Additionally, the vessel 110 may be integrated within an on-site energy generation device.

In yet another embodiment, the process 120 may actually include a plurality of electrochemical cells. The connection between the portions 112 of the container 110 may have a plurality of branches that are connected to a plurality of electrochemical cells, respectively. With appropriate mechanical or fluid flow control, such as valving, metal fuel can be selectively delivered to one or more of the plurality of electrochemical cells connected thereto to form a variable voltage and/or current cell device. Additionally, a controller may be incorporated to determine which electrochemical cell should be activated (i.e., input metal fuel).

In yet another alternative embodiment (referring to fig. 5B), the metal fuel may be cycled through one or more electrochemical cells (process 520) multiple times in order to maximize the use of the metal fuel. For example, metal fuel as the first species in portion 512 can be supplied to the cell (process 520). Initially, when electrochemical capacity remains in the "effluent", it may be delivered to section 513b and then recycled back to the cell. The partially used fuel from section 513b may be repeatedly cycled through process 520 until it is determined that the energy in the fuel has been minimized (e.g., by an associated controller or pressure sensor, etc.). This will ensure that the metal fuel reaches the highest depth of discharge. When the energy of the metal fuel is minimal, it may be output as a final effluent into section 514.

The metal oxide may be recharged by applying an electric current thereto. In a rechargeable device, after the material is recharged (i.e., where the material remains or returns to the respective portion 112 or 114), further discharge is by a "second species" in the portion 114 that is a metal-air cell fuel, where the metal oxide formed by the process 120 can be deposited in the first portion 112.

Second electrochemical cell embodiment of the multi-compartment device 100

According to yet another apparatus embodiment of exemplary apparatus 100, wherein process 120 is a methanol fuel cell. A first substance, in this example methanol or a mixture of methanol and water, is contained in the first portion 112. During fuel cell operation, typically during continuous operation, the fuel cell effluent (primarily water) is stored as the second substance in the second portion 114 of the container 110. In this manner, the effluent, which is normally contaminated to some extent, is stored rather than discharged to the environment, while maintaining the volume. Also, during operation of the fuel cell, methanol or a mixture of methanol and water is maintained at a constant concentration in the first portion. An additional reactant for a direct methanol fuel cell device is oxygen, typically obtained from air, and a useful by-product of a direct methanol fuel cell device is electricity.

Third electrochemical cell embodiment of the multi-compartment device 100

Yet another apparatus embodiment according to exemplary apparatus 100 includes process 120, process 120 including a redox fuel cell. The first substance supplied to the cell from the first portion 112 comprises an anolyte, such as a zinc solution. During operation of process 120 (i.e., operation of the redox cell), the anolyte and catholyte interact. Part of the zinc in the anolyte solution is converted to zinc oxide and remains dissolved. The spent anode is stored as a second material in the second portion 114.

In yet another example of a redox cell, the catholyte may comprise a first substance, such as a bromine solution. In redox cell operation, bromine is typically converted to bromide ions and stored as a second species in second portion 114.

Fourth electrochemical cell embodiment of the multi-compartment device 100

Yet another device embodiment according to exemplary device 100 utilizes a process 120 that includes a bioelectrochemical treatment process. Typical bioelectrochemical processes use oxidizable organic compounds as fuels. Various enzymes are also typically provided to enhance the electrochemical reaction. The oxidizable organic compound may comprise a carbohydrate such as glucose. Many devices require pure or substantially pure glucose to reduce or avoid by-products that cannot be converted to energy.

Thus, in the bioelectrochemical cell devices herein, a substance comprising glucose may be placed in the first portion 112. Various mechanical devices may be used to collect the glucose-containing material (e.g., grass). For example, a cutting blade or cutting mechanism may cut and supply a substance comprising glucose, which is deposited in the first portion 112, for consumption by the bioelectrochemical process 120. After the bioelectrochemical process 120 produces an unconsumed portion of the waste or first material, it may be stored in the second portion 114 of the container 110. One example of a useful device employing such a bioelectrochemical cell is a self-igniting device capable of consuming or cutting grass. When the grass is consumed, the glucose in the grass provides electrical energy to move the autoignition device and continuously cut the grass, and further controls all of the device electronics provided. Waste may be stored as a second substance in section 114. Since fuel can be stored in section 112 and consumed directly by process 120, the device can be a self-powered device even in areas where there is no grass or other glucose-containing substance. When portion 114 is filled so that the volume of portion 112 is less than the desired volume to be maintained, portion 114 is emptied, such as at a fertilizer pile.

First Process example of the Multi-Chamber apparatus 100

In yet another embodiment of apparatus 100, first portion 112 of vessel 110 contains a decomposable substance, such as biomass. Here, the treatment process 120 may include a stagnation phenomenon, or a separate or integrated activity process, such as heat and/or pressure. The second material may include methane, a gaseous by-product of the decomposition of biomass. Thus, methane can be collected in the second portion 114, and the second portion 114 can be an expandable collection vessel within the vessel 110, or a portion of the vessel 110 separated from the first portion 112 by the stopper 116. For example, a one-way valve (e.g., requiring moving gas pressure to be able to open in one direction) may be included to allow methane to pass from the first portion to the second portion, but not from the second portion to the first portion.

Second Process embodiment of the Multi-Chamber apparatus 100

Yet another embodiment of the apparatus 100 includes petroleum processing, such as refining crude oil into various fractions and/or reformate. For example, crude oil may be held in the first portion 112 of the vessel 110. The process 120 may include distillation, cracking, or a combination thereof. In this process, the product, such as gasoline, may be stored in the second portion 112. Thus, as the crude oil in the first portion 112 is processed, the volume of the first portion 112 decreases. Thus, when gasoline is generated and stored in the second portion 114, the volume of the second portion 114 increases.

Third Process example of the Multi-Chamber apparatus 100

Yet another embodiment of the apparatus 100 includes a water treatment process, such as the purification of tap water or wastewater. For example, water to be purified may be stored in the first portion 112 of the container 110. The treatment process 120 may include one or more water treatment steps. During this process, the product, e.g., purified or partially purified water, can be stored in the second section 112. Thus, as the water in the first portion 112 is treated, the volume of the first portion 112 decreases. Thus, when purified or partially purified water is produced and stored in the second section 114, the volume of the second section 114 increases.

Multi-chamber device 200

Another exemplary apparatus incorporating a container is described below with reference to fig. 2. The apparatus 200 includes a container 210, the container 210 having a first portion 212 and a second portion 214. A first substance is stored in section 212 which is controllably provided to process 220. Process 220 produces a second substance that is contained in second portion 214. The process 220 may generate one or more byproducts, such as electrical energy, thermal energy, chemical energy, mechanical energy, optical energy, or a combination thereof.

The second substance (typically from treatment process 220) is subjected to a disposal process 224 before being introduced into second portion 214. The treatment process 224 may deliver the second substance and change some of its characteristics, such as chemical or physical characteristics, or a combination thereof. For example, the disposal process 224 may include a reactor connected to a pump. Moreover, the disposal process 224 may include a physical disposal process, such as a process of concentrating or decomposing the substance.

First combustion embodiment of multi-chamber device 200

In accordance with one device embodiment of exemplary device 200, wherein process 220 comprises a combustion engine, the first substance comprises a compressor fuel such as gasoline, and the useful byproduct is the mechanical energy of the combustion engine. As gasoline is consumed, carbon dioxide and other emissions produced are exhausted from the combustion engine and compressor as described above. These resulting emissions may be sent to a disposal process 224, such as a condenser, to convert the emissions from a larger volume of gas to a smaller volume of gas or even liquid. These treated emissions are then conveyed into the second portion 214 of the vessel 210.

In this way, the combustion engine may be operated with substantially 0 emissions. All or a portion of the emissions are stored in the second portion 214. the second portion 214 may be, for example, a bag or other collection device that is disposed in a tank similar to existing fuel tanks. As the second substance or engine emissions increase, the volume of the second portion 214 increases and, correspondingly, the volume of the first portion 212 for containing engine fuel, such as gasoline, decreases.

The combustion device for containing the gasoline and the emissions may also be equipped with a vacuum device in communication with the second portion 214. The vacuum device may be operated to remove the emissions. Furthermore, the vacuum device may be connected to an indicator that shows when the portion 214 is at its maximum capacity. The vacuum device may be operated manually or automatically. The vacuum device may be accessed through a small port, for example, near the inlet of the fuel tank. In this manner, the vessel 210 may be filled by filling the portion 212 with fuel and simultaneously or subsequently emptied by draining the effluent from the portion 214, the portion 214 carrying a suitable adapter connected, for example, to an existing vacuum device.

Second Combustion embodiment of the Multi-Chamber apparatus 200

Furthermore, using the same principles as fuel tanks for combustion engines, a container may be adapted to provide fuel (as an input material) for the combustion process, generating heat byproducts, while ash and gaseous combustion emissions may be collected and deposited as an output material.

Multi-chamber device 300

Referring to fig. 3, the apparatus 300 includes a first container 310a and a second container 310b, wherein in the first container 310a, a first input substance and a first output substance are contained in

portions

312a and 314a, respectively; in the second container 310b, a second input substance and a second output substance are contained in

portions

312b and 314b, respectively. Stoppers 316a and 316b are provided in each cell, respectively. Both the first and second input substances are fed to the same process 320 (which can be at various rates and/or intervals) resulting in the generation of first and second output substances. The stoppers 316a and 316b move accordingly (by fluid forces, external forces, or a combination thereof) when the first and second output substances are generated.

First electrochemical cell embodiment of multi-compartment device 300

In one device embodiment according to exemplary device 300, process 320 includes a redox cell, the operation of which is similar to the examples described above. First reservoir 310a includes an anolyte input and output and second reservoir 310b includes a catholyte input and output. Both fluid streams are fed to the redox cell.

In redox cells, the cell is always exposed to the latest materials by means of one or more multi-chambered containers. Such cells may be controlled so that the anolyte and/or catholyte are received at respective stages, or the anolyte and catholyte may be released continuously. In this way, electronic integration can be implemented.

Second electrochemical cell embodiment of multi-compartment device 300

In yet another device embodiment according to exemplary device 300, process 320 includes a vanadium redox cell. First reservoir 310a includes an anolyte input and output and second reservoir 310b includes a catholyte input and output. Both fluid streams are fed to the redox cell.

The catholyte reacts within the cell 320 according to the following half-cell reaction:

the anolyte reacts within the cell 320 according to the following half-cell reaction:

multi-chamber device 400

Referring to fig. 4, the apparatus 400 includes a vessel 410 coupled to a process 420. The vessel 410 has a first portion 412 and a second portion 414, wherein the first portion 412 is configured to hold a first substance, which is typically an input substance to the process 420; the second portion 414 is used to contain a second substance, which is typically the output substance or effluent of the process 420. Also, source 422 provides additional input substances for process 420. Additional input substances from source 422 may: becomes part of the output substance contained in the second portion 414; a portion that is converted to a useful byproduct (e.g., electrical, thermal, chemical, mechanical, or optical energy); separately from process 320; or a combinationthereof.

Electrochemical cell embodiments of multi-compartment device 400

In one device embodiment according to exemplary device 400, process 420 includes a hydrogen-based fuel cell. The first species comprises a hydrogen source that is released when the reaction occurs in an environment having a catalyst provided by source 422. For example, such a source of hydrogen is sodium borohydride (NaBH)₄). As a first substance, sodium borohydride may be put into a solution with water. When the reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalyst, hydrogen is released from sodium borohydride and consumed by a fuel cell to generate electric energy, and sodium metaborate (NaBO) which is a byproduct is generated₂). The by-product may be in an aqueous solution that is contained in the second portion 412 of the container 410.

Multi-chamber device 500a

Referring to fig. 5A, fig. 5A depicts an apparatus 500a using a vessel 510 connected to a process 520. Container 510 includes a first portion 512 having a first substance and a second portion 513a having a second substance, both of which provide input substances to process 520. The first and second input substances can be released to process 520 at various rates and intervals, which may be the same or different from each other. The output of the process 520, i.e., the third substance, is sent to a portion 514 of the container 510.

First Process example of the Multi-Chamber apparatus 500a

One apparatus embodiment according to exemplary apparatus 500 is a chemical synthesis process. The first reactant and the second reactant comprise a first substance and a second substance, respectively. The process 520 includes a reactor where a product, or third material, is formed when first and second reactants are introducedinto the reactor. In this way, one container can be used to hold multiple reactants and a single product. Moreover, the reactor may produce other substances. These other substances may be contained within additional portions of the container 510 (not shown) or stored separately. Moreover, these additional products may be by-products of the device, which are separately contained. Also, the third substance may include a useful byproduct, which is then expelled from the portion 414 for further placement.

Second Process example of the Multi-Chamber apparatus 500a

A specific example of chemical synthesis using apparatus 500a includes a water-gas two-phase shift reaction. In a typical water-gas two-phase shift reaction, carbon monoxide reacts with water to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Thus, in device 500a, first portion 512 comprises carbon monoxide and second portion 513a comprises water. To generate carbon dioxide and hydrogen, the materials in the first portion 512 and the second portion 513a are sent to a process 520. Typically, the process 520 is at an elevated temperature and has one or more catalysts. The resulting mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen is then stored in the third section 514. Thus, as the reactants (carbon monoxide and water) form the products (carbon dioxide and hydrogen), the volume of the vessel 510 can be kept constant as the sections 512 and 513 contract and the section 514 expands.

Third Process example of the Multi-Chamber apparatus 500a

According to one apparatus embodiment of exemplary apparatus 500a, useful byproducts may be relatively light, wherein process 520 includes a transparent mixing chamber for mixing a first substance and a second substance. The first and second substances are chemical substances that, when subjected to a chemical combination reaction, produce light energy. For example,U.S. patent 4,859,369 ("the 369 patent"), incorporated herein by reference, describes the use of water-soluble polymers in aqueous chemical light energy formulations. In the ' 369 patent, an aqueous solution of 4, 4 ' -ethanediylbis [ (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imino]ethylene]-bis [ 4-methylmorpholinetrifluoromethanesulfonic acid](4, 4 ' -oxydis [ (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imino]ethylene]-bis [4-methylmorpholinium triflate]), also known as METQ, is mixed with poly (vinylpyrrolidone) and sulfonated fluorescer rubrene sulfonate. Aqueous hydrogen peroxide is then added, which when mixed, is capable of generating a bioluminescent material. Note that any or all of the reactants can be stored in container 500 as a first substance and a second substance, or more than two reactants can be held in a similar container with additional portions. The resulting bioluminescent material is stored, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, in portion 514 of container 510 as a third substance. To provide continuous light, the reactants (e.g., stored as the first substance and the second substance) may be released from the container (e.g., first and

second portions

512, 513 a). In this manner, a single container may be employed to contain all or a portion of the reactants or products to provide a continuous light source.

Fourth Process example of the Multi-Chamber apparatus 500a

The light energy generating device is readily adapted to provide thermal energy, such as by chemical reaction within various cold and hot tanks, thereby causing the chemicals to mix to produce hot or cold temperatures. Moreover, a continuous process can be accomplished so that useful by-products can be safely and conveniently co-present with the reactants for extended periods of time for recovery or reasonable disposal.

Multi-chamber device 600

Referring now to fig. 6, fig. 6 depicts an apparatus 600 that includes a container 610 having an input substance to a process 620, the process 620 outputting a plurality of substances. An input substance is contained in section 612 and an output substance is contained in sections 614, 615.

First Process embodiment of the Multi-Chamber apparatus 600

One device embodiment according to exemplary device 600 is a water electrolysis process. An input substance, water to be electrolyzed, is contained in the portion 612. After the electrolysis process 620, the water is split into the output substances hydrogen and oxygen, which are contained in sections 614 and 615, respectively.

Second Process embodiment of the Multi-Chamber apparatus 600

Yet another embodiment of the apparatus 600 is a deionization process, such as a desalination process of water. Seawater is stored in chamber 612. Reactor 620 may be any known technique. For example, reverse osmosis, electrolysis, or one or more fluids passing through a capacitor may comprise process/reactor 620. These processes produce concentrated brine and fresh water. The concentrated brine can be collected in chamber 615 and fresh water can be stored in chamber 614.

Third Process example of the Multi-Chamber apparatus 600

The apparatus 600 may be used in a small alkali chloride (alkali-chlorine) generation process. Saline can be stored in chamber 612. Reactor 620 may include an electrochemical cell having two electrodes. Chlorine gas is generated at one electrode and is stored in chamber 615. The remainder remaining in the liquid is NaOH, which can be stored in chamber 614.

The main advantage of the device described herein is that the volume is constant. In general, the volume of the entire storage container can maintain a maximum volume to accommodate input or output substances.

The foregoing describes preferred embodiments of the present invention and other modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit of the present invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood, therefore, that the description herein is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A device for containing a plurality of substances, comprising a container having an entire volume, said container comprising:

a first portion for containing a first substance;

a second portion for containing a second substance;

wherein the volume of the first portion is variable, or the volume of the second portion is variable, or the volume of the first portion and the second portion is variable, such that the first portion and the second portion match the entire volume.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the volumes of the first portion and the second portion vary inversely.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is separated from the second portion by a movable stop.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second substances are substantially the same.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second substances are different.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a portion of an electrochemical cell having a cathode and an ionic medium, a first portion in solid or fluid communication with the portion of the electrochemical cell, wherein the first species comprises a metal fuel supplied to the portion of the electrochemical cell to form an electrochemical cell, and wherein the consumed fuel comprises a second species exhausted from the electrochemical cell.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, the first portion in fluid communication with a hydrogen-based fuel cell comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte in ionic communication with the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first substance comprises a hydrogen-based fuel, the hydrogen-based fuel being supplied to the first electrode of the hydrogen-based fuel cell, a voltage being generated between the first electrode and the second electrode, unreacted hydrogen-based fuel being evolved at the first electrode, and a second substance comprising water being generated at the second electrode.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the unreacted hydrogen-based fuel is deposited in the first portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the unreacted hydrogen-based fuel is deposited in the second portion.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a redox cell having a catholyte, and a first portion in spatial/fluid communication with the redox cell, wherein the first substance comprises an anolyte supplied to and consumed by the redox cell, and the second substance comprises a spent anolyte.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a redox cell having an anolyte, and a first portion in spatial/fluid communication with the redox cell, wherein the first substance comprises a catholyte supplied to and consumed by the redox cell, and the second substance comprises a spent catholyte.

12. The device of claim 11 in combination with the separation device of claim 12, wherein the device of claim 12 is a catholyte in a redox cell.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a bioelectrochemical cell, and a first portion in communication with the bioelectrochemical cell, wherein the first substance comprises an oxidizable organic compound and a carrier that is supplied to the bioelectrochemical cell and is consumed, and the second substance comprises the carrier.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the oxidizable organic compound and the carrier comprise grass, the apparatus further comprising a cutting mechanism for cutting and feeding the grass into the bioelectrochemical cell.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the cutting mechanism is powered by the bioelectrochemical cell.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a movable lateral movement device.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the lateral movement device is powered by the bioelectrochemical cell.

18. The device of claim 14, further comprising a discharge mechanism for discharging the second substance at a predetermined time or when the second portion reaches a predetermined capacity.

19. The device of claim 1, said first portion being in one-way fluid communication with said second portion, wherein the first species comprises a decomposable species that decomposes in said first portion and releases a fluid byproduct comprising the second species.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the decomposable material comprises biomass and the fluid byproduct comprises methane.

21. The device of claim 1, further comprising a chemical processing device, and a first portion in fluid communication with the chemical processing device, wherein the first substance is supplied to the chemical processing device, and the chemical processing device processes the first substance into a second substance.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the chemical processing device processes the first substance into the second substance and the third substance.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the first substance comprises petroleum.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the second substance comprises a petroleum product.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first substance comprises a supply of water and the second substance comprises purified water.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an engine and a first portion in fluid communication with a fuel input of the engine, wherein the first substance comprises a fuel selected from the group consisting of gasoline and diesel fuel that is input to the fuel inlet, the engine generates mechanical energy, and the second substance comprises at least a portion of engine emissions.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a vacuum for removing the second substance.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a condenser for condensing the second substance prior to introducing the second substance into the second portion.

29. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a combustion chamber and a first portion in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, wherein the first substance comprising a fuel is provided into the combustion chamber, the combustion chamber generates thermal energy, and the second substance comprises at least a portion of a combustion chamber emission.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a vacuum for removing the second substance.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a condenser for condensing the second substance prior to introducing the second substance into the second portion.

32. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a hydrogen-based fuel cell receiving hydrogen from the catalytic hydrogen-generating apparatus, and a first section in fluid communication with the catalytic hydrogen-generating apparatus and containing a catalytically releasable hydrogen source supplied to the catalytic hydrogen-generating apparatus to generate hydrogen, the second substance comprising an emission.

33. The device of claim 32, wherein the catalytically releasable hydrogen source comprises sodium borohydride.

34. The device of claim 1, further comprising a third portion for containing a third substance, wherein the volume of the first portion is variable, or the volume of the second portion is variable, or the volume of the third portion is variable, or the volumes of the first and second portions are variable, or the volumes of the first and third portions are variable, or the volumes of the second and third portions are variable, or the volumes of the first, second and third portions are variable, such that the first, second and third portions fit the entire volume.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising a combination process, the first portion supplying a first substance to the combination process and the second portion supplying a second substance to the combination process, wherein the combination process outputs a third substance.

36. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising a transparent or translucent vessel, a first portion and a second portion in fluid communication with an inlet of the transparent or translucent vessel, and a third portion in fluid communication with an outlet of the transparent or translucent vessel, wherein the first substance comprises a first reactant, the second substance comprises a second reactant, the first reactant and the second reactant luminesce upon reaction therebetween, and wherein the third substance comprises a product of the reaction of the first reactant and the second reactant.

37. The device of claim 34, further comprising a heat collection device, a first portion and a second portion in fluid communication with an inlet of the heat collection device, and a third portion in fluid communication with an outlet of the heat collection device, wherein the first substance comprises a first reactant, the second substance comprises a second reactant, the first reactant and the second reactant generate heat upon reaction therebetween, and wherein the third substance comprises a product of the reaction of the first reactant and the second reactant.

38. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising a separation device, a first portion in solid or fluid communication with an inlet of the separation device, a second portion in solid or fluid communication with a first outlet of the separation device, and a third portion in solid or fluid communication with a second outlet of the separation device, wherein the first substance comprises a substance to be separated into a second substance and a third substance.

39. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a water treatment device, the first substance comprising water to be fed into the water treatment device for treatment, wherein the water treatment device separates treated water from a second substance comprising treatment waste.

40. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a water treatment device, the first substance comprising water to be fed into the water treatment device for treatment, wherein the water treatment device separates treatment waste from a second substance comprising treated water.

41. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a water treatment device, the first substance comprising water to be fed into the water treatment device for treatment, wherein the water treatment device separates treatment waste from asecond substance consisting essentially of treated water.

42. The apparatus of claim 21, said chemical treatment device comprising a deionization device, said first substance comprising an ionized liquid fed into said water treatment device to be deionized, wherein said water treatment device separates ionized liquid and solids as a second substance from ionized liquid and solids as a third substance.

43. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the chemical processing device comprises an electrochemical cell having two electrodes, and wherein the first substance comprises brine fed to the electrochemical cell, and wherein the electrochemical cell separates the brine into chlorine gas as the second substance and NaOH solution as the third substance.

44. The device of claim 6, wherein the spent fuel is re-passed into the electrochemical cell multiple times to optimize depth of discharge.

45. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising means for receiving an initial emission of a third substance from the electrochemical cell, the third substance being recycled back to the electrochemical cell until the electrochemical capacity of the third substance is reduced, the reduced emission from the electrochemical cell being the second substance.

46. The device of claim 6, wherein a plurality of partial electrochemical cells are provided, further comprising a means for delivering a first substance to one or more of the plurality of partial electrochemical cells to provide a series, parallel or series/parallel cell arrangement.