Abstract: A method of charging a metal-air fuel cell. The method includes a step of orienting an anode chamber horizontally. The method further method includes a step of providing metal particles suspended in an electrolyte to flow through the anode chamber in a downstream direction oriented horizontally. The method further method includes a step of allowing a bed of the metal particles to form on the anode current collector. The plurality of particle collectors perturb the flow of electrolyte through the anode chamber and encourage settling of the particles one of on and between the particle collectors. The method further method includes a step of maintaining uniform formation of the bed.

Abstract: A method of charging a metal-air fuel cell. The method includes a step of orienting an anode chamber horizontally. The method further method includes a step of providing metal particles suspended in an electrolyte to flow through the anode chamber in a downstream direction oriented horizontally. The method further method includes a step of allowing a bed of the metal particles to form on the anode current collector. The plurality of particle collectors perturb the flow of electrolyte through the anode chamber and encourage settling of the particles one of on and between the particle collectors. The method further method includes a step of maintaining uniform formation of the bed.

Abstract: A fuel cell having a cathode, cathode chamber, anode and anode chamber. The anode chamber is at least partially defined by an anode current collector. The cathode chamber is at least partially defined by the cathode. The anode chamber includes one or a plurality of anode flow channels for flowing an electrolyte in a downstream direction. The anode current collector may include a plurality of particle collectors projecting into the anode chamber to collect particles suspended in the electrolyte.

Abstract: A fuel cell having a cathode, cathode chamber, anode and anode chamber. The anode chamber is at least partially defined by an anode current collector. The cathode chamber is at least partially defined by the cathode. The anode chamber includes one or a plurality of anode flow channels for flowing an electrolyte in a downstream direction. The anode current collector may include a plurality of particle collectors projecting into the anode chamber to collect particles suspended in the electrolyte.

Abstract: A process for the separation of carbon dioxide from gas mixtures is disclosed in which a metal oxide sorbent, which is used to capture and release carbon dioxide, is recycled. The process incorporates the regeneration of the carbon dioxide capture capacity of the metal oxide to maintain a high capture capacity over many cycles. The regeneration involves hydrating the metal oxide and then heating the resulting metal hydroxide under a gas atmosphere that is effective to suppress the dehydration of the hydroxide so that dehydration occurs at an elevated temperature. The regeneration may also be used independently from the carbon dioxide separation process to produce, from a metal hydroxide, a metal oxide having an enhanced resistance to attrition and fragmentation.

Abstract: A process for the separation of carbon dioxide from gas mixtures is disclosed in which a metal oxide sorbent, which is used to capture and release carbon dioxide, is recycled. The process incorporates the regeneration of the carbon dioxide capture capacity of the metal oxide to maintain a high capture capacity over many cycles. The regeneration involves hydrating the metal oxide and then heating the resulting metal hydroxide under a gas atmosphere that is effective to suppress the dehydration of the hydroxide so that dehydration occurs at an elevated temperature. The regeneration may also be used independently from the carbon dioxide separation process to produce, from a metal hydroxide, a metal oxide having an enhanced resistance to attrition and fragmentation.

Abstract: A process for the separation of carbon dioxide from gas mixtures is disclosed in which a metal oxide sorbent, which is used to capture and release carbon dioxide, is recycled. The process incorporates the regeneration of the carbon dioxide capture capacity of the metal oxide to maintain a high capture capacity over many cycles. The regeneration involves hydrating the metal oxide and then heating the resulting metal hydroxide under a gas atmosphere that is effective to suppress the dehydration of the hydroxide so that dehydration occurs at an elevated temperature. The regeneration may also be used independently from the carbon dioxide separation process to produce, from a metal hydroxide, a metal oxide having an enhanced resistance to attrition and fragmentation.

Abstract: A method of producing metal particles through electrolysis. A cathode having a plurality of active zones on a surface thereof is at least partially immersed in a reaction solution. The cathode is spaced from an anode also at least partially immersed in the reaction solution. A voltage potential is applied between the anode and cathode. Metal particles form on the active zones of the cathode. In order to promote the formation of good quality particles, a turbulent flow of the solution is maintained past one or more the active zones, and the current density in the active zones is maintained greater than about 5 kA/m2. The particles may be dislodged from the cathode after they have achieved a desired size.

Abstract: A refuelable electrochemical power source includes one or more electrochemical cells adapted to employ particulate material electrodes. The one or more cells include a cell body defining an interior cell cavity, a flow path in the cell cavity through which particulate material and fluid flow, an electroactive zone within the cell cavity, and a fluid mechanic device adjacent or within the flow path capable of filling the electroactive zone or maintaining the electroactive zone in a constantly full or maximum electroactivity condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for electrolytic deposition of metals on conducting particles. The conducting particles are completely immersed in a liquid and allowed to flow across a particle contacting surface of a cathode support. The particles flow across the surface and into a reservoir. Electrical contact is made between the negative pole of a DC power supply and the conducting particles. An anode mesh is placed above and parallel to the top face of the particle bed such that the mesh does not touch the particle bed but remains a controlled distance from it. The anode mesh is connected to the positive terminal of the DC power supply. A significant aspect of the present invention is that the device does not require a separator between the particle bed and the anode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for electrolytic deposition of metals on conducting particles. The conducting particles are completely immersed in a liquid and allowed to flow across a particle contacting surface of a cathode support. The particles flow across the surface and into a reservoir. Fresh particles can be introduced onto a first portion of the particle contacting surface, or the particles can be recirculated from the reservoir. The pellet flow field is of uniform or near uniform thickness. Electrical contact is made between the negative pole of a DC power supply and the conducting particles via the support surface, via conducting inserts passing through the support surface, or via other means. An anode mesh is placed above and parallel to the top face of the particle bed such that the mesh does not touch the particle bed but remains a controlled distance from it. The anode mesh is connected to the positive terminal of the dc power supply.

Abstract: A refuelable electrochemical power source includes one or more electrochemical cells adapted to employ particulate material electrodes. The one or more cells include a cell body defining an interior cell cavity, a flow path in the cell cavity through which particulate material and fluid flow, an electroactive zone within the cell cavity, and a fluid mechanic device adjacent or within the flow path capable of filling the electroactive zone or maintaining the electroactive zone in a constantly full or maximum electroactivity condition.

Abstract: A refuelable electrochemical power source includes one or more electrochemical cells adapted to employ particulate material electrodes. The one or more cells include a cell body defining an interior cell cavity, a flow path in the cell cavity through which particulate material and fluid flow, an electroactive zone within the cell cavity, and a fluid mechanic device adjacent or within the flow path capable of filling the electroactive zone or maintaining the electroactive zone in a constantly full or maximum electroactivity condition.

Abstract: Novel fire-retardant electrolyte compositions are provided. These compositions comprise a lithium salt dissolved in a fire-retardant solvent selected from the group consisting of phosphates, phospholanes, cyclophosphazenes, silanes, fluorinated carbonates, fluorinated polyethers and mixtures thereof. The electrolyte composition optionally contains a CO.sub.2 -generating compound. Also provided are fire-retardant batteries and fire-retardant conductive films formulated with such compositions, as well as methods of manufacturing such films.