Abstract: To prevent the formation of internal short circuits between electrodes of a rechargeable electrochemical cell, the electrolyte is maintained in continuous motion at least during charging when, in the case of an air-depolarized cell with a positive oxygen electrode and a negative zinc electrode, an air stream is introduced into a cylindrical cell casing through a multiplicity of orifices in a generally tangential direction and at increasing distances from the housing axis to impart rotation about that axis to the liquid; upon the subsequent discharge, a valve redirects the air stream into a compartment separated from the electrolyte by the oxygen electrode.