GB2461623A - Electrochemical process using a Faraday dynamo electric machine - Google Patents

Electrochemical process using a Faraday dynamo electric machine Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2461623A
GB2461623A GB0911446A GB0911446A GB2461623A GB 2461623 A GB2461623 A GB 2461623A GB 0911446 A GB0911446 A GB 0911446A GB 0911446 A GB0911446 A GB 0911446A GB 2461623 A GB2461623 A GB 2461623A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
cell
disc
faraday
flow field
inlet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0911446A
Other versions
GB0911446D0 (en
Inventor
Donald James Highgate
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ITM Power Ltd
Original Assignee
ITM Power Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ITM Power Ltd filed Critical ITM Power Ltd
Publication of GB0911446D0 publication Critical patent/GB0911446D0/en
Publication of GB2461623A publication Critical patent/GB2461623A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0258—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
    • H01M8/0263—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant having meandering or serpentine paths
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
    • C25B1/01—Products
    • C25B1/02—Hydrogen or oxygen
    • C25B1/04—Hydrogen or oxygen by electrolysis of water
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B11/00—Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for
    • C25B11/02—Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for characterised by shape or form
    • C25B11/034—Rotary electrodes
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
    • C25B15/08—Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
    • C25B9/30—Cells comprising movable electrodes, e.g. rotary electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0258—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H01M8/04156—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
    • H02K31/00—Acyclic motors or generators, i.e. DC machines having drum or disc armatures with continuous current collectors
    • H02K31/02—Acyclic motors or generators, i.e. DC machines having drum or disc armatures with continuous current collectors with solid-contact collectors
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/36—Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Abstract

The present invention is a system which comprises a Faraday dynamo electric machine (Faraday disk) having a conductive rotatable disc 4 situated between magnets 1 and an electrochemical cell having flow fields 3,5, wherein the or each flow field comprises an inlet 2,6. When the cell comprises a fuel cell employing hydrogen and oxygen the hydrogen flow field 3 is integral with the disc 4and the oxygen flow field 5 attaches to the hydrogen flow field. Example flow fields are disclosed in fig 2. The resultant water which centrifuges to the edge of the disc may evaporate or be removed by an insertable cassette filled with hydrophilic polymer. When the cell is used for electrolysis water introduced at the central inlet centrifuges to the edge of the cell where product gasses can be removed. It is sated that some power created by the cell may be used to power the Faraday device when in the electrolyser mode.

Description

ELECTROCHEMICAL PROCESS USING A DYNAMO
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to Faraday discs.
Background of the Invention
A Faraday disc, or Faraday dynamo, is an electrical generator that operates using a magnetic field. It comprises a cylindrical magnet, a magnetic, electrically-conducting disc, a galvanometer and an axle mounted in a frame.
The disc and the magnet are fitted a short distance apart on the axle, on which they are free to rotate about their own axes of symmetry. An electrical circuit is formed by connecting the two terminals of the galvanometer to the disc using sliding contacts: one at the centre of the disc, the other at its rim. In the presence of a magnetic field, the rotating disc generates an electromotive force, which drives a current.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention is based on the realisation that, as both Faraday discs and fuel cells are characterised by high current and low voltage, a fuel cell can provide the energy to rotate the disc, without the need for complicated and expensive electronics. At say 8 to 10 W/cm2, a circular cell of 10 cm radius operating at 0.5 V will output 2.5 to 3.2 kW at approximately 5000 to 6500 A. According to a first aspect, the present invention is a system comprising a Faraday dynamo having a rotatable disc, and an electrochemical cell having one or more flow fields, wherein the or each flow field comprises an inlet.
Description of Preferred Embodiments
As used herein, the term "electrochemical cell" encompasses both a fuel cell and an electrolyser. Preferably, the fuel cell is a hydrogen/oxygen cell.
Preferably, the electrolyser is a water electrolyser.
As used herein, the term "Faraday dynamo" means any electrical generator which operates using a magnetic field. Preferably, a Faraday dynamo comprises a cylindrical magnet and a magnetic, electrically-conducting disc, fitted a short distance apart on an axle on which they are free to rotate.
The invention will now be illustrated by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic cross-section of a system embodying the present invention. The system comprises a fuel cell and a conducting disc (4) of a Faraday dynamo, which is situated in between two magnets (1). The hydrogen flow field (3) is integral with the conducting disc (4), and the oxygen flow field (5) is attached to the hydrogen flow field to complete the cell. The centre of the cell is located on the axis of rotation of the conducting disc (4). The flow fields (3,5) each comprise an inlet (2,6). These inlets (2,6) deliver reactants to the centre of their respective flow fields.
Examples of flow fields suitable for use in the invention are shown in Figure 2. The flow fields are mounted onto (or integrated into) the rotating disc of the Faraday dynamo. They are fixed such that the reactants (e.g. the fuel/oxidant) are supplied to the centre of the flow field. As the disc rotates, the reactants move outwards, towards the edge of the flow field. This may aid the liquid and gas management. It may be desirable for the flow field to curve back into the centre region so that the reactant can be supplied, and the products collected, at the centre point. Preferably, the flow fields are spiral, or curved from the centre to the edge. Centrifugal force, as the disc spins, may aid the transport of the reactants from the centre to the outside of the flow fields. When the cell is functioning as a fuel cell, product water, which can cause clogging of catalyst layers ("flooding"), may be spun to the outer edges where it can be removed.
Flow fields may be constructed so that product water is collected in sites especially designed to remove water. In one embodiment, a hydrophilic polymer plug is used, which uptakes the product water, removing it from the active regions, and allowing it to evaporate to the environment. In another embodiment, an insert cassette filed with hydrophilic polymer is used, which may be removed when fully hydrated, dried and replaced, as necessary.
The electrochemical cell, suitable for use in the invention, may function as an electrolyser or a fuel cell. When functioning as an electrolyser: the rotating disc forces water from the inlet at the centre towards the edge of the cell, where product gases can be removed. This also allows for the supply of fresh water.
Energy input may be required.
The electrolyser may then be made to function as a fuel cell. In order to achieve this, the water supply is stopped, allowing all water to be removed from the cell. Fuel and oxidant (e.g. hydrogen and oxygen) may then be supplied through the inlets, enabling the device to work as a fuel cell. The rotating disc ensures that product water is rapidly removed via the outlets. The power created can be used to power the Faraday dynamo, without the need for complicated and expensive (as they are both characterised by high current and low voltage) electronics. Some of the power created by the cell may also be used to power the Faraday device, when in electrolyser mode.
S

Claims (8)

  1. CLAIMS1. A system comprising a Faraday dynamo having a rotatable disc, and an electrochemical cell having one or more flow fields, wherein the or each flowfield comprises an inlet.
  2. 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the electrochemical cell is an electrolyser.
  3. 3. A system according to ciaim 1, wherein the electrochemical cell is a fuel cell, and wherein the fuel cell supplies energy to rotate the disc.
  4. 4. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the or one of theflow fields is integral with the disc.
  5. 5. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein when the or each flow field contains a reactant and the disc rotates, the reactant moves away from the inlet.
  6. 6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the cell comprises means for removing water.
  7. 7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the means for removing water is an outlet, such that when the cell contains water and the disc rotates, water exits via the outlet.
  8. 8. A system according to claim 6, wherein the means for removing water is a hydrophilic polymer.
GB0911446A 2008-07-03 2009-07-01 Electrochemical process using a Faraday dynamo electric machine Withdrawn GB2461623A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0812214.5A GB0812214D0 (en) 2008-07-03 2008-07-03 Motor

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0911446D0 GB0911446D0 (en) 2009-08-12
GB2461623A true GB2461623A (en) 2010-01-13

Family

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Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB0812214.5A Ceased GB0812214D0 (en) 2008-07-03 2008-07-03 Motor
GB0911446A Withdrawn GB2461623A (en) 2008-07-03 2009-07-01 Electrochemical process using a Faraday dynamo electric machine

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB0812214.5A Ceased GB0812214D0 (en) 2008-07-03 2008-07-03 Motor

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB0812214D0 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2195659A (en) * 1986-08-29 1988-04-13 John Briggs Energy conversion apparatus
US6005322A (en) * 1998-04-08 1999-12-21 Isaak; Mark Frank Integrated fuel cell electric motor
EP1043792A2 (en) * 1999-04-10 2000-10-11 PILLER-GmbH Device for converting energy with at least one fuel cell and/or one hydrolyser
WO2002009217A2 (en) * 2000-07-20 2002-01-31 Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Method for operating a fuel cell
EP1321543A1 (en) * 2001-12-19 2003-06-25 ALSTOM (Switzerland) Ltd Hydrolysis cell and its use in wind power generation system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2195659A (en) * 1986-08-29 1988-04-13 John Briggs Energy conversion apparatus
US6005322A (en) * 1998-04-08 1999-12-21 Isaak; Mark Frank Integrated fuel cell electric motor
EP1043792A2 (en) * 1999-04-10 2000-10-11 PILLER-GmbH Device for converting energy with at least one fuel cell and/or one hydrolyser
WO2002009217A2 (en) * 2000-07-20 2002-01-31 Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Method for operating a fuel cell
EP1321543A1 (en) * 2001-12-19 2003-06-25 ALSTOM (Switzerland) Ltd Hydrolysis cell and its use in wind power generation system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0911446D0 (en) 2009-08-12
GB0812214D0 (en) 2008-08-13

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)