GB2236211A

GB2236211A - Electric cell

Info

Publication number: GB2236211A
Application number: GB8920667A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeff Capper
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-09-13
Filing date: 1989-09-13
Publication date: 1991-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2009-09-13
Also published as: GB2236211B; GB8920667D0

Abstract

A "Secondary" electric cell, which works on the principle of the Oxygen/Hydrogen fuel cell, but being in a sealed container and suitable for everyday use. The cell employs a catalyst containing multi-layer alumina/silica ceramic plate A, B1, B2, C1, C2 immersed in dilute sulphuric acid electrolyte. <IMAGE>

Description

Electric Cell.

This invention relates to an electric cell.

Electric cells, also called batteries, are well known for the supply of stored energy, in the form of direct current electricity. there are many styles of electric cells in common use, this cell is similar in action to a " Secondary cell ", in that it can be used and then recharged with direct current electricity. This cell is sealed, the object is to store a supply of energy safely, efficiently and without damage to the environment.

The invention is the joining together of a " Water Voltmeter " Pn Fuel Cell " via a micro-porous / multi-layer Alumina / Silica ceremic plate to form a single electric cell.

water Voltameters " are well known and used to show the che@@ioel construction of water by electrolysis.

Fuel Cells " have up to now been identified in the " Primary range of cells, once their fuel has been converted into electricits the process cannot be reversed.

The micro-porous / multi-layer Alumina / Silica cereflic material i: well known and used in many applications in industry, such as liquid filtration systems, fluidisation of powders in slide conveyors and the fluidised beds of combustion systems.

This electric cell is original, due to the many layers of different pore sizes and also the impregnation of an electron conductirls material ( Graphite, Platinum or similar ! in the outer layers.

A multi-layer / micro-porous Alumina / Silica ceremic plate is positioned vertically in a sealed container, which holds a dilute solution of Sulphuric acid. The electron conductive outer layers of the ceremic plate, on receiving a charge of direct current electricity from an outside source, acts in the manor of a " Water Voltameter ", that is, it ionises the solution to form Hydrogen at the Cathode and Oxygen at- the Anode. The above two gases are helri physically seperate by the ceremic plate due to it's inbuilt ,'.-: barrier.On discharge of electrical energy from the cell, the stored gases, Hydrogen at the Cathode and Oxygen at the Anode complete circuit with electrons flowing through the external circuit iror the Cathode layer via the external load resistor , which corre.;rondts to the flow of Hydrogen ions through the ceremic plate from the Hydrogen side to the Oxygen side, where water is formed. This water nos joins the solution of dilute Sulphuric acid.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing. Fir 1, Parts of the cell as shown in Fig 1.

A , B1 , 82 , C1 , C2 are seperate layers of the micro-porous / multi-layer Alumina / Silica ceremic plate which acts as a ras barrier, liquid filter and electron conductor.

Layer A , porous material, size of pore will allow cappillary nation to compl tely fill all pores of the layer with a solution of dilute Sulphuric acid from the bottorr, of the cell, therefore acting as a gas barrier.

Layer B1,B2, There are two " B " la layers, one either side of layer" à it is made of very fine pores (one micron pore @@aneter), and acts as a buffer, stopping the solution of dilute Sulphuric acid connectine the inside of layer C1 , C2 to layer A.

Layer C1 , C2 ( Cl is the Cathode , C2 is the Anode !.

There are two " C " layers, one either side of layer Thl, B2. It is made of porous fltritrial similar to layer " A ", but imprernated wi@@ an electron conducting material ( Graphite, Platinum or similar !.

Please note that the conducting material in layer C1, C2 does not ro to the bottom of the ceremic Slate, there is nn in@ilt " This is to stop the cell overcharging, only one side meeds this" stop' it's position and height relate to the use of the cell.

" D " Terniinctl post connected to the Cathode plate C1.

" E " Terminal post connected to the Anode plate C2.

" F " are inert spacers to allow a free flow: of dilote Sulphurie acid and.iops between both sides of the cell, " 5 " Outer container of cell.

" H " Solution of dilute Sulphuric acid " I " Hydrogen gas.

" J " Oxygen gas.

Referring to the drawing, Fig 1 , the electric cell comprises of a micro-porous / multi-layer Alimina / Silica ceremic plate, h,Bl,B2, C1, C2, held vertically in position, set on top of spacers, F , all inside a sealed container, G , which holds a solution of dilute Sulphuric acid. H Please note that the Hydrogen, I , Oxygen, J , and solution of dilute Sulphuric acid, H , will all change volume, as to the state of charge being held in the cell. This as well as a simple pressure meter may be used to find the state of charge in the cell.

Action of the cell. ( To charge the cell ).

The two outer layers of the ceremic plate, C1. C2, which are rart immersed in a solution of dilute Sulphuric acid, 11 , on recelvirir a direct current electrical charge via the connecting ports, i.h, form Hydrogen gas, I , at the Cathode plate, C1, and Oxypen,J, t the Anode plate, C2.This is the well knowtn act of electrolysis of water.

Action of the cell. ( Discharge ).

On discharge, the Hydrogen, I ,dissociates on / in the pore cf tie outer ceremic layer C1, which incorperates an electron conductinr material ( Graphite, Platinum or similar ? forming Hydrogen ions and electrons. The Hydrogen ions migrate through the ceremic 1::ers, Cl,B1 and gas barrier layer A and out again the other side r; and finally surface on layer C2, the Oxygen Anode.

Simultaneously, the electrons move through the external circuit to the same Oxygen Anode C2. The Oxygen, J , Hydrogen ions and electrons combine on / in the Oxygen Anode C2 to form water. This water now joinsthe solution of dilute Sulphuric acid H.

Claims

Claims.

l! A sealed electrical cell which uses two different gases, Hydrogen and Oxygen, which originated from it's own supply of dilute sulphuric acid to form a stored supply of electrical energy.

2! As claimed in claim 1. A multi-layer / micro-porous filter with the outer layer a conductor of electrons, which allows the following: The electron conductive outer layers of the ceremic plate, on receiving a charge of direct current electricity from an outside source, acts in the manor of a " Water Voltameter ", that is, it ionises the solution to form Hydrogen at the Cathode and Oxygen it the Anode. The above two gases are held physically seperate by tne ceremic plate due to it's inbuilt gas barrier.On discharge of electrical energy from the cell, the stored gases, Hydrogen at the Cathode and Oxygen at the Anode complete a circuit with electrons flowing through the external circuit from the Cathoc:e layer via the external load resistor, which corresponds to the flow of Hydrogen ions through the ceremic plate from the Hydrogen side to the Oxygen side, where water is formed.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 3. A fuel cell , utilizating it's own waste product , water , which upon it's self contained electrode / electrolysis unit , receiving a direct current charge from an outside sorce replentishes the said cell with Hydrogen and Oxygen.

An electric fuel cell , utilizating it's own waste product, water , which upon it's self contained electrode / electrolysis unit, receiving a charge of direct current electricity from an outside sorce replentishes the said cell with Hydrogen and Oxygen, the fuel of the cell.