EP4289010A1

EP4289010A1 - Rechargeable metal air flow battery and related charging station

Info

Publication number: EP4289010A1
Application number: EP22705131.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrea Vaccari
Original assignee: De Bonis Martin
Current assignee: De Bonis Martin
Priority date: 2021-02-02
Filing date: 2022-01-25
Publication date: 2023-12-13
Also published as: WO2022167897A1; IT202100002096A1

Abstract

The rechargeable battery (1) comprises at least one electrochemical cell (2) provided with: one anode housing (3) of at least one anode electrode (4) made of metallic material; one cathode housing (5) of at least one cathode electrode (6); one electrolyte housing (7) of one electrolyte mixture (8), positioned between the anode housing (3) and the cathode housing (5); and one electrical connector assembly (10) connected to the anode housing (3) and to the cathode housing (5) and adapted to transfer electrical energy, generated by means of an electrochemical process, to a user point (V); wherein: the anode electrode (4) comprises a plurality of solid anode elements (11) and shaped so as to slide inside the anode housing (3); and the electrochemical cell (2) comprises replenishment means (19) adapted to take at least the anode elements (11) oxidized as a result of the electrochemical process and to restore them with pure anode elements (11).

Description

RECHARGEABLE METAL AIR FLOW BATTERY AND RELATED CHARGING STATION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a rechargeable battery and a related charging station.

Background Art

It is well known that in recent years there is a considerable need to reduce environmental pollution caused by pollutant emissions.

This need is particularly felt in the sector of transports, both in the case of freight and passenger transport.

More specifically, electric vehicles are means of transport provided with an electric motor which is able to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. The electric motor is powered by means of the connection to a battery.

This is why there is an increasing amount of research into solutions to improve the efficiency and performance of rechargeable batteries.

Multiple types of batteries for electric vehicles are known.

One of the most common types of rechargeable battery is rechargeable alkaline batteries.

In such batteries, the electrical charge can be restored through the application of electrical energy, which is accumulated in the form of chemical energy and then used again to power the electric vehicle.

Among these, the most popular batteries are lithium ones.

Lithium batteries have good energy density and are less likely to self-discharge when not in use compared to other types of battery.

However, in order to ensure long running times, it is necessary to make alkaline batteries of large size that involve considerable weight and cost for the installation on a vehicle, so that manufacturers prefer to choose batteries of smaller size and cost with the drawback of requiring frequent recharges.

Rechargeable batteries of known type do, therefore, need to be recharged frequently, thus causing interruptions in the use of the electric vehicle and of the route traveled.

In addition, the time required to carry out these charges is considerably long and leads to consequent inconvenience for the user.

For this purpose, there are charging stations able to supply electrical energy at high power, e.g. 350Kwh, in order to charge the battery in short times, about 30 minutes. It is clear, however, that in a perspective of large-scale diffusion of these stations, this solution is difficult to achieve, since it requires high power peaks and large investments for the installation, which inevitably affects the cost of charging for the user.

The aforementioned drawbacks are particularly felt especially in the field of freight transportation, where delays can cause deterioration of the goods themselves or inconvenience with customers.

Another drawback is the fact that alkaline batteries can be subject to selfignition, which makes them dangerous in the application on the means of transport.

Another type of rechargeable battery is metal-air batteries.

These are able to exploit the oxygen dissolved in the air as a reactive species in the electrochemical process which takes place inside the battery itself. In particular, the oxygen undergoes a reduction process while the metal is oxidized. Metal-air batteries are characterized by high energy density and have the advantage of being extremely lightweight, cheap and safe, as they are less prone to self-ignition than alkaline batteries.

However, metal-air batteries are not rechargeable and, once flat, must be replaced and then remanufactured at special recovery stations.

It is easy to appreciate that the replacement of the battery of an electric vehicle is a complex operation that requires for the intervention of specialized operators and long lead times. This inevitably translates into an increase in the running costs of the electric vehicle.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a rechargeable battery and a related charging station which allows reducing the time and cost required for the replenishment operation.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a rechargeable battery and a related charging station, which allow getting rid of the use of specialized operators for the replenishment operation.

Still one object of the present invention is to devise a rechargeable battery which allows increasing the running time of the electric vehicle on which it is housed.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a rechargeable battery and a related charging station which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present rechargeable battery having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a rechargeable battery and a related charging station, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the rechargeable battery according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the charging station according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a detail from Figure 2.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a rechargeable battery.

The battery 1 comprises at least one electrochemical cell 2 provided with: at least one anode housing 3 of at least one anode electrode 4 made of metallic material; at least one cathode housing 5 of at least one cathode electrode 6; at least one electrolyte housing 7 of at least one electrolyte mixture 8, positioned between the anode housing 3 and the cathode housing 5; and at least one electrical connector assembly 10 connected to the anode housing 3 and to the cathode housing 5 and adapted to transfer electrical energy, generated by means of an electrochemical process, to at least one user point V.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the user point V is an electric vehicle. In the context of the present disclosure, the term “electric vehicle” means a means of transport provided with an electric motor capable of converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. Specifically, the electric motor is powered by means of the connection to a battery.

In particular, the electrochemical process involves an oxidation-reduction reaction occurring between the anode electrode 4 and the cathode electrode 6, which leads to the production of electrical energy.

In detail, the anode electrode 4 is the electrode on which an oxidation halfreaction takes place, while the cathode electrode 6 is the electrode on which a reduction half-reaction takes place.

The electrolyte mixture 8 allows the migration of the ionic species involved in the aforementioned oxidation and reduction half-reactions between one electrode and the other and enables the electrochemical process. The latter leads to the generation of electrical energy useful for the propulsion of a motor M of the electric vehicle V.

Specifically, the electrical energy is transferred to the motor M through the electrical connector assembly 10.

The electrical connector assembly 10 is also adapted to transfer the electrical energy to further components of the electric vehicle V, such as e.g. the electronic control unit and all the common electrical user points present on the electric vehicle itself, in order to allow the operation thereof.

According to the invention, the anode electrode 4 comprises a plurality of solid anode elements 11 shaped so as to slide inside the anode housing 3.

In detail, the anode elements 11 are separate and distinct metal bodies and are inserted inside the anode housing 3 and on which the oxidation half-reaction takes place.

Yet in more detail, the metal of which the anode elements 11 are made up takes part in the oxidation half-reaction.

The anode elements 11 are made of at least one metallic material selected from the list comprising: aluminum, lithium, zinc.

It cannot however be ruled out that the anode elements 11 may be made of a different type of metallic material.

Preferably, the anode elements 11 are made of aluminum.

Aluminum, in fact, is a metal with an oxidation state equal to 3, which means that, as a result of the oxidation reaction, aluminum releases three electrons which are then involved in the reduction reaction to the cathode electrode 6. It follows that, overall, the electrochemical process is characterized by high energy density and high efficiency.

Aluminum is also an extremely light metal that is not subject to self-ignition, making it particularly suitable for use in batteries for electric vehicles.

The mutual adhesion of the anode elements 11 allows the conduction of the electrical energy generated by means of the electrochemical process.

The anode elements 11 are connected to the electrical connector assembly 10 in order to transfer electrical energy to the electric vehicle V.

Conveniently, the anode housing 3 comprises pressing means 12 associated with the electrical connector assembly 10 and adapted to compress the anode elements 11 and to keep them adhered to each other.

The pressing means 12 ensure mutual contact between the anode elements 11 and an electrical continuity between the same, thereby preventing the formation of electrical gaps.

The pressing means 12 are of the type of elastic means positioned between the anode elements 11 and the electrical connector assembly 10.

The pressing means 12 may also be of the pneumatic type and comprise a piston operable to exert pressure onto the anode elements 11.

The pressing means 12 are made, in turn, at least partly of a conductive material so as to ensure the flow of electrical current between the anode elements 11 and the electrical connector assembly 10.

Advantageously, the anode elements 11 have a spherical, polygonal, or filiform conformation.

In the context of the present disclosure, the term “filiform” means that the anode elements 11 may be in the form of fibers having greater length than their thickness, e.g. an order of magnitude greater than their thickness.

It cannot, however, be ruled out that the anode elements 11 may have a different conformation, but one which allows them to slide inside the anode housing 3. Preferably, the anode elements 11 have a substantially spherical conformation.

In more detail, the anode elements 11 have a characteristic dimension comprised between 0.1 mm and 5 cm, preferably comprised between 1.5 mm and 2 cm, even more preferably 2 mm.

This embodiment allows considerably increasing the useful surface of the anode electrode 4 with a consequent increase in the efficiency of the electrochemical process.

In more detail, the characteristic dimension is represented, e.g., by the geometric mean diameter. In the event of the anode elements 11 having a spherical shape, the characteristic dimension of the anode elements 11 corresponds to the diameter of the small spheres, while in the event of the anode elements 11 having an irregular shape and/or are otherwise different from the spherical shape, the characteristic dimension of the anode elements 11 corresponds to the equivalent spherical diameter.

Furthermore, it cannot be ruled out that the anode elements 11 may have different shapes and dimensions from each other; for example, some anode elements 11 may be spherical in shape while other anode elements 11 may be irregular in shape, and in such a case, the characteristic dimension of the anode elements 11 is represented by the average of the characteristic dimensions of each anode element 11.

The electrochemical cell 2 comprises at least one separating element 13 between the anode housing 3 and the electrolyte housing 7.

The separating element 13, of the type e.g. of a perforated membrane, makes it possible to retain the anode elements 11 inside the anode housing 3 and, at the same time, allows fluidic communication between the latter and the electrolyte housing 7.

In essence, the separating element 13 allows the electrolyte mixture 8 to flow in the anode housing 3 so that it can interact with the anode elements 11 and allow the electrochemical process to occur.

The electrolyte mixture 8, in fact, is adapted to allow the migration of the ionic species generated during the electrochemical process between one electrode and the other.

The electrolyte mixture 8 may be liquid, e.g. of the type of an aqueous solution, or solid, e.g. in the form of a powder.

It is easy to appreciate that the electrolyte mixture 8 can be selected depending on the specific characteristics of the electrodes 4, 6.

It should be noted that if the electrolyte mixture 8 is in the form of powder, it should be of suitable flowability so that it will readily come into contact with the anode elements 11.

The battery 1 also comprises regulating means 14 of the electrolyte mixture 8, connected in a fluid- operated manner to the electrolyte housing 7 and adapted to regulate the volume of the electrolyte mixture 8 inside the same.

The regulating means 14 have the function of varying the amount of electrolyte mixture 8 inside the electrochemical cell 2 so as to increase or decrease the amount of electrical energy supplied to the electric vehicle V.

In essence, when the electric vehicle V is stationary, the electrolyte mixture 8 is removed from the electrolyte housing 7 so as to prevent undesirable continuation of the electrochemical process and, thus, self-discharge of the battery 1. At the time of use, the electrolyte mixture 8 is fed into the electrochemical cell 2 and its volume is gradually increased according to the electrical energy actually required to power the electric vehicle V.

The regulating means 14 comprise at least one receptacle 15 adapted to contain the electrolyte mixture 8 and a fluidic communication system 16 between the receptacle 15 and the electrolyte housing 7.

The electrochemical cell 2 has also at least one ionic membrane element 9, through which the electrolyte housing 7 is in fluidic communication with the cathode housing 5.

In more detail, the ionic membrane element 9 comprises a semi-permeable membrane which allows selective passage of only certain ionic species.

The ionic membrane element 9 is of the type of, e.g., a nafion membrane or the like.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the cathode electrode 6 comprises at least one oxygen source 17.

Oxygen is used, in fact, as a cathodic species capable of reduction by generating, specifically, the hydroxide ion. During the electrochemical process, the latter migrates towards the anode housing 3 and interacts with the anode elements 11 , thus leading the metal of which they are made up to oxidize.

In the present case, the oxygen source 17 is represented by the air outside the electric vehicle V. For this purpose, the battery 1 comprises a communication duct to the outside of the electric vehicle V, not shown in the figures, associated with the cathode housing 5 and allowing air to be drawn from the outside of the electric vehicle V.

It cannot however be ruled out that the oxygen source 17 is of a different type.

The cathode electrode 6 also comprises at least one cathode element 18 of the porous type, connected to the electrical connector assembly 10, positioned between the electrolyte housing 7 and the oxygen source 17 and adapted to allow oxygen to flow inside the electrolyte housing itself.

In more detail, the cathode element 18 is positioned between the ionic membrane element 9 and the oxygen source 17.

The cathode element 18 is made of a conductive material which is adapted to allow the flow of the electrons involved in the electrochemical process.

In particular, the cathode element 18 does not directly participate in the electrochemical process but allows the interaction between the electrons, the oxygen from the oxygen source 17 and the ionic species coming from the electrolyte housing 7 to allow the reduction half-reaction to occur.

The cathode element 18 is made of at least one material selected from: carbon, graphene, graphite. The electrochemical cell 2 according to the present invention also comprises replenishment means 19 adapted to take at least the oxidized anode elements 11 following the electrochemical process and to restore them with the pure anode elements 11.

As a result of the electrochemical process, in fact, the anode elements 11 gradually become covered with a surface layer of oxidized metal that coats the pure metal and, over time, stops the electrochemical process. Once the anode elements 11 are completely oxidized on the surface, the battery 1 is flat and can no longer produce electrical energy.

The replenishment means 19 allow the replacement of the anode elements 11 so that the battery 1 can be used again.

Conveniently, the replenishment means 19 comprise: at least one extraction duct 20 for the extraction of the oxidized anode elements 11 from the anode housing 3; and at least one insertion duct 21 for the insertion of the pure anode elements 11 inside the anode housing 3.

In detail, the extraction duct 20 and the insertion duct 21 are connectable with the outside of the electric vehicle V by means of respective replenishment ports 22.

The particular expedient of providing for the use of a plurality of anode elements 11 shaped to slide, allows the aforesaid replacement to be carried out extremely quickly and easily through the aforementioned ducts 20, 21.

It should also be noted that the extremely small dimensions of the anode elements 11 make them remarkably light and easy to move, e.g., by means of suction/pumping.

The replenishment means 19 also comprise valve means 23 associated with the extraction duct 20 and with the insertion duct 21 and adapted to regulate the flow into and out of the anode elements 11 from the anode housing 3.

The valve means 23, of the solenoid valve type, are in turn connectable to the outside of the electric vehicle V and operable to open/close the ducts 20, 21 during the replenishment operation. In more detail, the valve means 23 are connectable to the outside by means of an electrical communication connector 24 associated with the electric vehicle V. In this way, the functionality of the battery 1 can be restored extremely quickly, thus avoiding the long regeneration times of the batteries of known type.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the replenishment means 19 are adapted to take and restore the electrolyte mixture 8.

It should be specified, in fact, that, as a result of the electrochemical process, the electrolyte mixture 8 also undergoes a chemical alteration, being consumed, and also needs to be replaced.

In particular, the electrolyte mixture 8 may be taken through the extraction duct 20 and reinserted by means of the insertion duct 21 at the same time as the replacement of the anode elements 11.

For this purpose, as shown in the figures, the anode housing 3 is substantially “L” shaped and is arranged at least partly below the electrolyte housing 7. In this way, by gravity, any solid by-products of the electrochemical process pass beyond the separating element 13 and settle at the bottom of the anode housing 3. Subsequently, the extraction of the anode elements 11 and of the electrolyte mixture 8 also allows the removal of such by-products.

According to a possible embodiment, not shown in detail in the figures, the cathode electrode 6 comprises a plurality of solid cathode elements 18 and shaped so as to slide inside the cathode housing 5.

In detail, the cathode elements 18 are bodies of the porous type adapted to allow oxygen to flow inside the electrolyte housing 7.

Conveniently, the electrochemical cell 2 comprises replacement means, not shown in detail in the figures, adapted to take at least the cathode elements 18 and to restore them with pure cathode elements 18.

In fact, although cathode elements 18 do not take part in the electrochemical process and therefore do not undergo degradation as the anode elements 11 do, they do come into contact with chemicals and could become polluted and contaminated, thus compromising the functionality of the electrochemical cell 2. The replacement means are substantially similar to the replenishment means 19 and comprise: at least one extraction channel for the extraction of the cathode elements 18 from the cathode housing 5; and at least one insertion channel for the insertion of the pure cathode elements 18 inside the cathode housing 5.

The extraction channel and the insertion channel are connectable with the outside of the user point V.

The particular expedient of providing for the use of a plurality of cathode elements 18 shaped to slide allows the aforesaid replacement to be carried out in an extremely quick and easy manner through the aforementioned channels. Advantageously, the battery 1 comprises a plurality of electrochemical cells 2 connected to each other.

This embodiment allows making a battery 1 provided with high energy power and long running times which make it usable even in large electric vehicles. Conveniently, the extraction ducts 20 and insertion ducts 21 of the electrochemical cells 2 are connected to each other and convey into the respective replenishment ports 22 to allow the replacement of the anode elements 11.

According to a further aspect, the present invention also relates to a charging station 25 for rechargeable batteries.

The charging station 25 according to the invention comprises at least one replenishment unit 26 connectable to at least one user point V provided with at least one battery 1 as described above.

Specifically, the replenishment unit 26 comprises: at least one taking device 27 connectable in a removable manner to the extraction duct 20 and adapted to take the oxidized anode elements 11 from the user point V; and at least one dispensing device 28 connectable in a removable manner to the insertion duct 21 and adapted to supply the user point V with at least the pure anode elements 11. In essence, the charging station 25 allows the replacement of the anode elements 11 of the battery 1 so that they can be used again in the electric vehicle V in a much faster time than the rechargeable batteries of known type.

In more detail, the taking device 27 and the dispensing device 28 are connectable to the respective replenishment ports 22 of the electric vehicle V in a removable manner.

In the present case, the taking device 27 is of the type, e.g., of a suction device capable of removing the anode elements 11 from the anode housing 3, while the dispensing device 28 is of the type, e.g., of a pumping device adapted to introduce the pure anode elements 11.

The replenishment unit 26 also comprises a communication device 29 connectable to the communication connector 24 in a removable manner and configured to operate the valve means 23 of the ducts 20, 21 during replenishment.

In other words, the communication device 29 allows the opening of the extraction duct 20 during the phase of taking the oxidized anode elements 11 and the opening of the insertion duct 21 during the phase of dispensing the pure anode elements 11.

The communication device 29 also has the function of communicating with any additional electronic means of the battery 1.

The replenishment unit 26 comprises at least one measuring device 30 associated with the dispensing device 28 and adapted to measure at least one representative dimension of the amount of the pure anode elements 11 dispensed.

The measuring device 30 may be of the type, e.g., of an instrument for measuring mass, or volume, or weight, of the transferred anode elements 11.

The replenishment unit 26 comprises at least one reading device 31 associated with the measuring device 30 and adapted to convert the representative dimension into at least one amount of money to be paid.

The reading device 31 is of the type of a display through which the replenishment unit 26 communicates to a user the amount of money to be paid. The charging station 25 comprises at least one dispensing tank 32, connected to the dispensing device 28 in a fluid- operated manner and adapted to contain the pure anode elements 11.

The charging station 25 also comprises at least one containment tank 33 connected to the taking device 27 in a fluid- operated manner and adapted to contain at least the oxidized anode elements 11.

The replenishment unit 26 comprises dispensing and taking means 34 for dispensing and taking the electrolyte mixture 8.

The function of the dispensing and taking means 34 is to replenish the pure electrolyte mixture 8 inside the electrochemical cell 2.

The dispensing and taking means 34 comprise: at least one taking assembly adapted to take the electrolyte mixture 8 from the user point V; and at least one dispensing assembly adapted to replenish the electrolyte mixture 8 to the user point V.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the taking assembly coincides with the taking device 27 and the dispensing assembly coincides with the dispensing device 28. In this way, the anode elements 11 and the electrolyte mixture 8 are replaced simultaneously.

It cannot, however, be ruled out that the taking assembly and the dispensing assembly are separate from the taking device 27 and from the dispensing device 28.

With reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, therefore, the taking device 27 is also adapted to take the electrolyte mixture 8 from the electric vehicle V.

In more detail, the taking device 27 is adapted to remove the electrolyte mixture 8 from the electrolyte housing 7 through the extraction duct 20.

The electrolyte mixture 8 extracted from the electrochemical cell 2 is transferred to the containment tank 33 together with the oxidized anode elements 11.

The dispensing and taking means 34 comprise at least one storage tank 35 connected to the dispensing device 28 in a fluid- operated manner and adapted to contain the pure electrolyte mixture 8.

The pure electrolyte mixture 8 is replenished through the dispensing device 28. In this regard, the measuring device 30 and the reading device 31 are configured to also detect the quantity of dispensed electrolyte mixture 8 and to convert such quantity data into a monetary amount to be paid by the user.

Advantageously, the charging station 25 comprises at least one regeneration unit 36 adapted to convert the oxidized anode elements 11 into pure anode elements 11.

The regeneration unit 36 allows for on-site regeneration of the oxidized anode elements 11 so as to ensure a constant availability of pure anode elements 11 even at very busy charging stations 25.

It cannot, however, be ruled out that the regeneration unit is not present and that the regeneration operation is carried out at additional regeneration stations.

The regeneration unit 36 comprises at least one of: at least one thermal reactor adapted to convert the oxidized anode elements 11 by thermal decomposition; an electrolytic reactor adapted to convert the oxidized anode elements 11 by electrolysis; and at least one removal assembly adapted to remove a surface layer from the oxidized anode elements 11.

Specifically, the thermal reactor operates by heating the oxidized anode elements 11 to very high temperatures which result in the decomposition of the metal oxides into oxygen, which is released into the atmosphere, and metal which is used to make new, pure anode elements 11.

The electrolytic reactor, on the other hand, allows for the reverse process that the anode elements 11 undergo inside the electrochemical cell 2. In essence, the oxidized anode elements 11 undergo a reduction reaction which again provides for pure anode elements 11.

Finally, the surface layer of oxidized metal can be removed through the removal assembly, e.g. by means of a mechanical or chemical abrasion process. According to a further embodiment not shown in the figures, the replenishment unit 26 comprises replacement means for replacing the cathode elements 18.

When the cathode elements 18 are made in the form of a plurality of solid bodies conformed to slide inside the cathode housing 5, these may be replaced through the extraction channel and the insertion channel, similarly to what occurs for the anode elements 11.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects, and in particular the fact is emphasized that the rechargeable battery and the related charging station according to the invention allow reducing the time and the costs necessary for the replenishment operation.

In fact, the only replacement of the anode elements and possibly of the electrolyte mixture is extremely quick and comparable to the replenishment operations of traditional vehicles.

In addition, it is important to note that regeneration of oxidized anode elements can only occur when the containment tank is full and can take even longer times than replacing the anode elements themselves in the vehicle. For example, regeneration may require low energy output and be performed at night, so as not to require overly costly infrastructure and/or electrical connections.

Moreover, this rechargeable battery and the charging station make it possible to get rid of the use of specialized operators, thus allowing the replenishment operation even to the user of the electric vehicle and, therefore, even at night or in any case during shut-off hours.

Finally, the battery according to the present invention makes it possible to significantly increase the running times of the electric vehicle on which it is housed, thanks to the use of a plurality of anode elements which define a high surface area useful for the electrochemical process.

Claims

1) Rechargeable battery (1) comprising at least one electrochemical cell (2) provided with: at least one anode housing (3) of at least one anode electrode (4) made of metallic material; at least one cathode housing (5) of at least one cathode electrode (6); at least one electrolyte housing (7) of at least one electrolyte mixture (8), positioned between said anode housing (3) and said cathode housing (5); and at least one electrical connector assembly (10) connected to said anode housing (3) and to said cathode housing (5) and adapted to transfer electrical energy, generated by means of an electrochemical process, to a user point (V); characterized by the fact that: said anode electrode (4) comprises a plurality of solid anode elements (11) and shaped so as to slide inside said anode housing (3); and said electrochemical cell (2) comprises replenishment means (19) adapted to take at least said anode elements (11) oxidized as a result of said electrochemical process and to restore them with said pure anode elements (I D-

2) Battery (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said replenishment means (19) comprise: at least one extraction duct (20) for the extraction of said oxidized anode elements (11) from said anode housing (3); and at least one insertion duct (21) for the insertion of said pure anode elements (11) inside said anode housing (3); said extraction duct (20) and said insertion duct (21) being connectable with the outside of said user point (V).

3) Battery (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said replenishment means (19) are adapted to take and restore said electrolyte mixture (8). 4) Battery (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said anode elements (11) are made of at least one metallic material selected from the list comprising: aluminum, lithium, zinc.

5) Battery (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said anode elements (11) have a spherical, polygonal or filiform conformation.

6) Battery (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said cathode electrode (6) comprises at least one oxygen source (17).

7) Battery (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said cathode electrode (6) comprises at least one cathode element (18) of the porous type, connected to said electrical connector assembly (10), positioned between said electrolyte housing (7) and said oxygen source (17) and adapted to allow oxygen to flow inside the electrolyte housing itself.

8) Battery (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said cathode element (18) is made of at least one material selected from: carbon, graphene, graphite.

9) Battery (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that: said cathode electrode (6) comprises a plurality of solid cathode elements (18) and shaped so as to slide inside said cathode housing (5); and said electrochemical cell (2) comprises replacement means adapted to take at least said cathode elements (18) and to restore them with said pure cathode elements (18).

10) Battery (1) according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that said replacement means comprise: at least one extraction channel for the extraction of said cathode elements (18) from said cathode housing (5); and at least one insertion channel for the insertion of said pure cathode elements (18) inside said cathode housing (5); said extraction channel and said insertion channel being connectable with the 18 outside of said user point (V).

11) Battery (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said anode housing (3) comprises pressing means (12) associated with said electrical connector assembly (10) and adapted to compress said anode elements (11) and to keep them adhered to each other.

12) Battery (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said electrochemical cell (2) comprises at least one separating element (13) between said anode housing (3) and said electrolyte housing (7).

13) Battery (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises regulating means (14) of said electrolyte mixture (8), connected in a fluid- operated manner to said electrolyte housing (7) and adapted to regulate the volume of said electrolyte mixture (8) inside said electrolyte housing (7).

14) Battery (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises a plurality of said electrochemical cells (2) connected to each other.

15) Charging station (25) for rechargeable batteries, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one replenishment unit (26) connectable to at least one user point (V) provided with at least one battery (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, said replenishment unit (26) comprising: at least one taking device (27) connectable in a removable manner to said extraction duct (20) and adapted to take said oxidized anode elements (11) from said user point (V); and at least one dispensing device (28) connectable in a removable manner to said insertion duct (21) and adapted to supply said user point (V) with at least said pure anode elements (11).

16) Charging station (25) according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that said replenishment unit (26) comprises at least one measuring device (30) associated with said dispensing device (28) and adapted to measure at least one representative dimension of the amount of said pure anode elements (11) dispensed. 19

17) Charging station (25) according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that said replenishment unit (26) comprises at least one reading device (31) associated with said measuring device (30) and adapted to convert said representative dimension into at least one amount of money to be paid.

18) Charging station (25) according to one or more of claims 15 to 17, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one dispensing tank (32), connected in a fluid-operated manner to said dispensing device (28) and adapted to contain said pure anode elements (11).

19) Charging station (25) according to one or more of claims 15 to 18, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one containment tank (33) connected in a fluid- operated manner to said taking device (27) and adapted to contain at least said oxidized anode elements (11).

20) Charging station (25) according to one or more of claims 15 to 19, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one regeneration unit (36) adapted to convert said oxidized anode elements (11) into said pure anode elements (11).

21) Charging station (25) according to one or more of claims 15 to 20, characterized by the fact that said regeneration unit (36) comprises at least one of: at least one thermal reactor adapted to convert said oxidized anode elements (11) by thermal decomposition; an electrolytic reactor adapted to convert said oxidized anode elements (11) by electrolysis; and at least one removal assembly adapted to remove a surface layer from said oxidized anode elements (11).

22) Charging station (25) according to one or more of claims 15 to 21, characterized by the fact that said replenishment unit (26) comprises dispensing and taking means (34) for dispensing and taking said electrolyte mixture (8) comprising: at least one taking assembly adapted to take said electrolyte mixture (8) from said user point (V); and 20 at least one dispensing assembly adapted to replenish said electrolyte mixture (8) to said user point (V).

23) Charging station (25) according to one or more of claims 15 to 21, characterized by the fact that said replenishment unit (26) comprises replacement means for replacing said cathode elements (18).