Gas Feeding Patents (Class 204/265)
  • Patent number: 11492711
    Abstract: A system for hydrogen generation includes at least one cabinet defining a first volume, a second volume, and a third volume, where the first volume, the second volume and the third volume are fluidically isolated from each other, a water circuit located in the first volume, an electrochemical module including an electrolyzer electrochemical stack located in the second volume, a hydrogen circuit located in the third volume, at least one first fluid connector fluidly connecting the water circuit and the electrolyzer electrochemical stack, and at least one second fluid connector fluidly connecting the electrolyzer electrochemical stack and the hydrogen circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ohmium International, Inc.
    Inventors: Arne Ballantine, Peter Light, Albert Esser, Chockkalingam Karuppaiah, Kirsten Burpee
  • Patent number: 11293109
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolytic device in an embodiment includes: an electrolysis cell including a cathode including a CO2 gas supply flow path, an anode, and a separator; a CO2 supply unit configured to supply CO2 gas to the gas supply flow path; and a rinse material supply unit configured to make a rinse material containing H2O flow through the CO2 gas supply flow path. The CO2 gas supply flow path includes a first opening provided on one end side, a second opening provided on another end side, and a third opening provided between the first opening and the second opening. The rinse material supply unit is configured to make the rinse material flow at least between the first opening and the third opening of the CO2 gas supply flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Akihiko Ono, Yuki Kudo, Yusuke Kofuji, Asahi Motoshige, Ryota Kitagawa, Masakazu Yamagiwa, Satoshi Mikoshiba
  • Patent number: 11293107
    Abstract: Electrochemical devices, such as membrane electrode assemblies and electrochemical reactors, are described herein, as well as and methods for the conversion of reactants such as carbon dioxide to value-added products such as ethanol. In certain aspects, the membrane electrode assemblies are configured to allow for distributed pressure along the cathodic side of a membrane electrode assembly is described. The pressure vessel acts as a cathode chamber, both for the feed of reactant carbon dioxide as well as collection of products. The designs described herein improves the safety of high pressure electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction and allows for varied pressures to be used, in order to optimize reaction conditions. Configurations optimized for producing preferred products, such as ethanol, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: AIR COMPANY HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Stafford Wheeler Sheehan
  • Patent number: 11207652
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and a method for catalytic conversion of chemical substances in the presence of pulverulent catalysts in a trickle bed reactor with residence times in the range of 0.1-10 seconds, wherein the apparatus includes a trickle bed reactor (2), the inlet side of which is functionally connected to a catalyst reservoir vessel (1) and a reactant feed, and the outlet side of which is functionally connected to a separator (3). The separator (3) has an exit conduit for leading off product stream, wherein the apparatus has the characteristic feature that the exit conduit disposed on the separator (3) for leading off product stream has a continuously acting valve connected via a controller to a pressure measurement sensor, wherein the continuously acting valve and the pressure measurement sensor form a pressure control circuit with a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Josef Find, Kurt-Erich Finger, Markus Friess
  • Patent number: 11091846
    Abstract: A solid ion-conductive material can be used in a compartment of an electrochemical cell, such as between an anion exchange membrane and a cation exchange membrane, for improving energy efficiency and at least partially replacing electrolyte solution. The formed product can be obtained for instance in demi water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: STICHTING WAGENINGEN RESEARCH
    Inventor: Roel Johannes Martinus Bisselink
  • Patent number: 11015875
    Abstract: A solution flows through a salinate chamber and a desalinate chamber of an electrochemical cell. Solutes are moved from the desalinate chamber to the salinate chamber to create respective solvent and concentrate streams from the desalinate and salinate chambers. The concentrate stream flows to a recombination cell where it is combined with a solvent. The combination causes at least one of an absorption of heat within the recombination cell and emission of heat from the recombination cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Benedict, Elif Karatay, Eugene S. Beh, Jessica Louis Baker Rivest
  • Patent number: 10865490
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolytic device comprises an electrolysis cell including: a cathode to reduce a first substance containing carbon dioxide and thus produce a first product containing a carbon compound; a cathode flow path which faces the cathode and through which a gas containing the carbon dioxide flows; an anode to oxidize a second substance containing water or a hydroxide and thus produce a second product containing oxygen; an anode flow path which faces the anode and through which an electrolytic solution containing the water or the hydroxide flows; a water-repellent porous body which faces the anode flow path and through which the second product flows; and a separator provided between the anode and the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Akihiko Ono, Asahi Motoshige, Yoshitsune Sugano, Masakazu Yamagiwa, Jun Tamura, Yuki Kudo, Ryota Kitagawa, Satoshi Mikoshiba
  • Patent number: 10581055
    Abstract: A busbar module and a battery pack include busbars each having connection portions protruding toward electrode terminals relative to a base portion located between the connection portions. In the busbar module, for example, the connection portions each share a boundary with the base portion. The boundary extends in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the busbars are aligned. The connection portions have a shape in which both edges of the busbars in the alignment direction of the busbars are bent toward the electrode terminals with the boundary is used as a bending origin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsunori Sato, Yutaro Okazaki
  • Patent number: 10522850
    Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell is provided. The bipolar plate includes a main body with a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal axis of the main body. At least one inlet is disposed at the first end of the main body. At least one outlet corresponding to the at least one inlet is disposed at the second end of the main body. At least one continuous flow path extends from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet. The main body comprises a single, contiguous piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Gould, Ravi Ramamurti, Karen Swider-Lyons, Michael Schuette, Joseph Rodgers, Chris Netwall
  • Patent number: 10494725
    Abstract: An electrochemical reaction device comprises: an anode to oxidize water and thus generate oxygen; an electrolytic solution flow path facing on the anode and through which a first electrolytic solution containing the water flows; a a cathode to reduce carbon dioxide and thus generate a carbon compound; a separator between the anode and the cathode; a power supply connected to the anode and the cathode; and a flow path plate including a first flow path facing on the cathode and through which the carbon dioxide flows and a second flow path facing on the cathode and through which at least one of a second electrolytic solution and the carbon dioxide flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Akihiko Ono, Satoshi Mikoshiba, Yuki Kudo, Masakazu Yamagiwa, Jun Tamura, Yoshitsune Sugano
  • Patent number: 10422780
    Abstract: A sensing electrode, and an electrochemical system and method utilizing same for detecting peroxide-containing compounds in a sample, are provided. The sensing electrode is a carbon electrode having ions of a metal that promotes decomposition of a peroxide absorbed to its surface, optionally along with a solid electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventors: Fernando Patolsky, Vadim Krivitsky, Boris Filanovsky
  • Patent number: 10207940
    Abstract: A composite water purification apparatus and method thereof are provided. The composite water purification apparatus includes a container, a sacrificial anode, a photocatalyst anode and a cathode. The container is employed for receiving liquid including water and gas. The photocatalyst anode includes a photocatalyst for conducting a photocatalytic reaction. The cathode is electrolyzed with the sacrificial anode and the photocatalyst anode. The cathode, the sacrificial anode, and the photocatalyst anode are immersed in the container to contact the liquid. The present invention enhances the purity of the water, while prolonging the service life of the sacrificial anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Chih-Pin Huang, Chien-Hung Chen, Hsin-Ju Yang, Chi-Chang Hu, Wei-Chieh Lin
  • Patent number: 10138431
    Abstract: A method for cracking hydrocarbon, comprises: providing steam and hydrocarbon; and feeding steam and hydrocarbon into a reactor accessible to hydrocarbon and comprising a perovskite material of formula AaBbCcDdO3??, wherein 0<a<1.2, 0?b?1.2, 0.9<a+b?1.2, 0<c<1.2, 0?d?1.2, 0.9<c+d?1.2, ?0.5<?<0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shizhong Wang, Wenqing Peng, Qijia Fu, Zhigang Deng, Zhaoping Wu, Chuan Lin, Yanfei Gu, Xiao Zhang, Lawrence Bernard Kool
  • Patent number: 10090544
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell stack; a fuel gas supply/exhaust unit; an oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit; and a control unit. The control unit determines whether there is a phenomenon in the fuel cell stack resulting from local power generation concentration within a plane of a membrane electrode assembly due to a water distribution. When it is determined that there is the phenomenon, the control unit controls at least one of the fuel gas supply/exhaust unit and the oxidant gas supply/exhaust unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaaki Matsusue
  • Patent number: 10087539
    Abstract: Methods separates a gas comprising providing a first electrode in ion-conducting contact with an electrolyte, providing a second electrode in ion-conducting contact with the electrolyte, wherein the second electrode comprises a liquid metal, providing a displacing material comprising a first surface in contact with the second electrode and a second surface exposed to an environment outside the second electrode, wherein said material permits flow of gas and impedes flow of liquid metal, and establishing a potential between the first and second electrodes, whereby gas flows toward the liquid metal. Other aspects include methods and apparatuses comprising electrodes, electrolytes and displacing materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Infinium, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Clayton Powell, IV, John Strauss, Robert Steve Tucker, Jason Brodie Voellinger
  • Patent number: 10053785
    Abstract: A method for operating an electrolysis device (2) for producing hydrogen uses a water circuit. Water from a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer (6) is cooled in a cooling device (10) and subsequently led to an ion exchanger (4) for processing the water. The water, after the processing in the ion exchanger (4), is fed to the PEM electrolyzer (6). Heat is removed from the water before feeding the water to the cooling device (10). A part of this removed heat is fed again to the water after the processing in the ion exchanger (4) and before entry into the PEM electrolyzer (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: H-TEC SYSTEMS GmbH
    Inventors: Svetlana Smarsch, Nils Mantai, Norbert Bülow, Claus Würfel, Dennis Wilken, Uwe Küter, Stefan Höller
  • Patent number: 10026967
    Abstract: Disclosed are gas permeable 3D electrodes, preferably that have practical utility in, particularly, electro-energy and electro-synthetic applications. Gas permeable materials, such as non-conductive porous polymer membranes, are attached to one or more porous conductive materials. In another aspect there is provided a method for the fabrication of gas permeable 3D electrodes, for example gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs). The 3D electrodes can be utilized in electrochemical cells or devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: AQUAHYDREX PTY LTD
    Inventors: Gerhard Frederick Swiegers, Andrew Nattestad, Dennis Antiohos, Fletcher William Thompson, Stephen Thomas Beirne, Mark S. Romano, Wen Zheng, Jun Chen, Caiyun Wang, Steven DuWayne Kloos
  • Patent number: 10003092
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly has a plurality of cells each having a fluid coolant conduit. A coolant feed manifold has a first inlet and a second inlet and is coupled to each fluid coolant conduit for distribution of fluid coolant within each cell. A pump is coupled for delivery of fluid coolant to the coolant feed manifold through the first and second inlets. A flow control assembly is configured to periodically modify the relative flow rates of fluid coolant through the first and second inlets so that stagnant regions in the coolant feed manifold are avoided. The flow control assembly may also be adapted to periodically interrupt the flow path between the pump and the manifold such that the fluid coolant is delivered to the manifold intermittently, thereby enabling low water flows below a minimum set point of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ashley James Kells, Pratap Rama, Paul Leonard Adcock, Simon Edward Foster, Jonathan Cole, Emma Farndon
  • Patent number: 9958204
    Abstract: A system for treating objects includes a device for tempering objects in which a tempering tunnel having at least one air outlet and at least one air inlet is arranged in a housing. At least one heating unit, in which a hot primary gas flow can be generated, is assigned to the tempering tunnel, wherein the hot primary gas can be guided into a circulating air heat exchanger, in which air from the tempering tunnel can be heated by hot primary gas as circulating air, which can be fed back to the tempering tunnel in a circuit via the at least one air inlet. The heating unit is coupled in the manner of a combined heating and power plant to an electric generator in such a way that electrical energy is produced during operation of the heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: EISENMANN SE
    Inventors: Daniel Sluka, Reiner Erhardt
  • Patent number: 9917314
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell power plant (10) including a stack (11) of fuel cells having an anode catalyst layer and a cathode electrode (15) including a catalyst layer disposed on catalyst support material is characterized by, during normal operation of said power plant, adjusting the voltage of the stack to be substantially equal to or less than a predetermined maximum voltage for the temperature of the stack. Further, said step of adjusting comprises adjusting the stack voltage to the lesser of: a) a predetermined voltage above which corrosion of catalyst support material is significant and below which corrosion of catalyst support material is insignificant at the temperature of the stack; and b) a predetermined voltage above which dissolution of catalyst is significant and below which dissolution of the catalyst is insignificant at the temperature of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Robert M. Darling, Paravastu Badrinarayanan, Carl A. Reiser
  • Patent number: 9815021
    Abstract: An electrocatalytic process for carbon dioxide conversion includes combining a Catalytically Active Element and a Helper Polymer in the presence of carbon dioxide, allowing a reaction to proceed to produce a reaction product, and applying electrical energy to said reaction to achieve electrochemical conversion of said carbon dioxide reactant to said reaction product. The Catalytically Active Element can be a metal in the form of supported or unsupported particles or flakes with an average size between 0.6 nm and 100 nm. The reaction products comprise at least one of CO, HCO?, H2CO, (HCO2)?, H2CO2, CH3OH, CH4, C2H4, CH3CH2OH, CH3COO?, CH3COOH, C2H6, (COOH)2, (COO?)2, and CF3COOH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Dioxide Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Masel, Amin Salehi-Khojin, Robert Kutz
  • Patent number: 9777382
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes an anode, a cathode and an electrolytic membrane interposed therebetween. At least one of the anode and the cathode is formed of an integral solid conductive plate and includes a first surface in contact with the electrolytic membrane and a second surface apart from the first surface in a thickness direction. The at least one of the anode and the cathode includes a plurality of first pores opened in the first surface and a plurality of second pores opened in the second surface, the second pores communicating with a part of the first pores. The first pores are smaller than the second pores, and the concentration of pores in the first surface is higher than that in the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Norihiro Yoshinaga, Hiroaki Hirazawa, Yoshihiro Akasaka, Katsuyuki Naito, Taishi Fukazawa, Jun Tamura, Ryosuke Yagi
  • Patent number: 9614251
    Abstract: A high-performance rechargeable battery using ultra-fast ion conductors. In one embodiment the rechargeable battery apparatus includes an enclosure, a first electrode operatively connected to the enclosure, a second electrode operatively connected to the enclosure, a nanomaterial in the enclosure, and a heat transfer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph C. Farmer
  • Patent number: 9555367
    Abstract: An electrocatalytic process for carbon dioxide conversion includes combining a Catalytically Active Element and Helper Catalyst in the presence of carbon dioxide, allowing a reaction to proceed to produce a reaction product, and applying electrical energy to said reaction to achieve electrochemical conversion of said reactant to said reaction product. The Catalytically Active Element can be a metal in the form of supported or unsupported particles or flakes with an average size between 0.6 nm and 100 nm. the reaction products comprise at least one of CO, HCO?, H2CO, (HCO2)?, H2CO2, CH3OH, CH4, C2H4, CH3CH2OH, CH3COO?, CH3COOH, C2H6, (COOH)2, (COO?)2, and CF3COOH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Dioxide Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Masel, Amin Salehi-Khojin
  • Patent number: 9545585
    Abstract: A method and chemical delivery system are provided. The method includes providing a non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution having a vapor phase separated from the substantially non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution by a membrane. The method further includes contacting a carrier gas or vacuum with the vapor phase and delivering a gas stream comprising hydrogen peroxide to a critical process or application. The chemical delivery system includes a non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution having a vapor phase separated from the substantially non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution by a membrane. The system further includes a carrier gas or vacuum in fluid contact with the vapor phase and an apparatus for delivering a gas stream comprising at least one component of the hydrogen peroxide solution to a critical process or application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: RASIRC, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Alvarez, Jr., Edward Heinlein, Russell J. Holmes, Jeffrey J. Spiegelman
  • Patent number: 9476851
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to sensors for measuring an amount of a gaseous species in a sample. The sensors comprise a gas permeable polysiloxane network membrane, comprising both alkyl and fluorinated alkyl groups. In some embodiments, the polysiloxane network can be formed from the co-condensation of a mixture of an alkylalkoxysilane and a fluorosilane. The presently disclosed subject matter also relates to methods of making the sensors, methods of selectively measuring an amount of a gaseous species, such as nitric oxide, in a sample, and to compositions comprising the polysiloxane networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventors: Mark H. Schoenfisch, Jae Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 9475998
    Abstract: Alkali metals and sulfur may be recovered from alkali monosulfide and polysulfides in an electrolytic process that utilizes an electrolytic cell having an alkali ion conductive membrane. An anolyte solution includes an alkali monosulfide, an alkali polysulfide, or a mixture thereof and a solvent that dissolves elemental sulfur. A catholyte includes molten alkali metal. Applying an electric current oxidizes sulfide and polysulfide in the anolyte compartment, causes alkali metal ions to pass through the alkali ion conductive membrane to the catholyte compartment, and reduces the alkali metal ions in the catholyte compartment. Liquid sulfur separates from the anolyte solution and may be recovered. The electrolytic cell is operated at a temperature where the formed alkali metal and sulfur are molten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: CERAMATEC, INC.
    Inventors: John Howard Gordon, Javier Alvare
  • Patent number: 9380920
    Abstract: A mobile floor cleaning machine has a clean water system with a reservoir for applying water to a floor during cleaning. The floor cleaning machine includes an ozone source which generates ozone in liquid form and introduces the liquid ozone directly into the circulating water for eliminating pathogens in the circulating water. The ozone is generated continuously and essentially instantaneously by the ozone source and destroys most bacteria, virus, fungus and mold in the circulating water at room temperature, while decaying harmlessly to oxygen within the water and producing fewer by-products than chemical sanitizers and having essentially no environmental impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Minuteman International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Pollack
  • Patent number: 9266085
    Abstract: An ambient-heat engine has a substantially thermally-conductive housing whose interior is divided into a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber by a substantially gas-impermeable barrier. An ionically-conductive, electrical-energy-generating mechanism forms at least a portion of the barrier. First hydrogen-storage medium is disposed within the high-pressure chamber and second hydrogen-storage medium is disposed within the low-pressure chamber. An electrical-energy storage device connected to the ionically-conductive, electrical-energy-generating mechanism is operable between a charge condition and a discharge condition. In a charge condition, hydrogen atoms within the high-pressure chamber are converted to hydrogen ions and conducted through the electrical-energy-generating mechanism to the low-pressure chamber causing electrical-energy to be generated to the electrical-energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9112197
    Abstract: A Fuel Cell Motor, or, Fuel Cell Engine, and system are described. A central output shaft is mounted with a novel set of rotationally capable fuel cells, of various shapes and configurations. These fuel cells when supplied by hydrogen and oxygen fuels generate electricity. That electricity so generated is channeled to electromagnet winding poles that are mounted on top of these rotationally capable fuel cells and also to the nearby stator electromagnetic poles. The current in the armature electromagnet poles produces magnetic fields which interacts with the congruent magnetic fields produced by the stator electromagnetic winding poles, to cause a rotational motion on the armature poles, adjoined to the central output shaft; henceforth, accomplishing the operations of an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventors: Ravindra Kashyap, Govind L. Sahu
  • Patent number: 9028764
    Abstract: An electro-catalytic honeycomb for controlling exhaust emissions, which adopts to purify a lean-burn exhaust, comprises a honeycomb structural body, a solid-oxide layer and a cathode layer. The honeycomb structural body includes an anode, a plurality of gas channels, and a shell. The anode is formed as a backbone, the gas channels are formed inside the backbone for passing the exhaust, and the shell covers an outer surface of the anode. The solid-oxide layer is adhered to an inner surface of the anode and connects the shell so as to encapsulate the anode. The cathode layer is adhered to a tube wall of the solid-oxide layer and has an oxidizing environment. The anode has a reducing environment. The reducing and the oxidizing environment facilitate an electromotive force to occur between the anode and the cathode layer to promote a decomposition of nitrogen oxides of the exhaust into nitrogen and oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Ta-Jen Huang
  • Publication number: 20150122666
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method which, with the use of dopamine in an alkaline aqueous medium, can be used to obtain nitrogen from moist air and to generate other gases, hydrogen in the free or combined state, such as ammonium. The reaction medium is ionic and reinforced by means of electrolysis, using electrodes of different metals and at a temperature and pressure close to ambient conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Marcelo Acosta Estrada
  • Publication number: 20150118592
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reversible electrochemical cell, such as an electrolysis cell for water splitting or for conversion of carbon dioxide and water into fuel. The present invention relates also to an electrochemical cell that when operated in reverse performs as a fuel cell. The electrochemical cell comprises gas5 diffusion electrodes and a porous layer made of materials and having a structure adapted to allow for a temperature range of operation between 100-374° C. and in a pressure range between 3-200 bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Frank Allebrod, Christodoulos Chatzichristodoulou, Pia Lolk Mollerup, Mogens Bjerg Mogensen
  • Patent number: 9005411
    Abstract: An electrochemical compressor includes one or more electrochemical cells through which a working fluid flows, and an external electrical energy source electrically connected to the electrochemical cell. Each electrochemical cell includes an anode connected to the electrical energy source; a cathode connected to the electrical energy source; an ion exchange membrane disposed between and in electrical contact with the cathode and the anode to pass an electrochemically motive material of the working fluid from the anode to the cathode, the ion exchange membrane comprising polar ionic groups attached to nonpolar chains; and a non-aqueous solvent comprising polar molecules, the polar molecules of the non-aqueous solvent being associated with and electrostatically attracted to the polar ionic groups of the ion exchange membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Xergy Inc
    Inventors: Bamdad Bahar, Walther Grot, William Parmelee
  • Publication number: 20150083607
    Abstract: A low-voltage, low-energy electrochemical system and method of removing protons and/or producing a base solution comprising hydroxide and carbonate/bicarbonate ions, utilizing carbon dioxide in a cathode compartment that is partitioned into a first cathode electrolyte compartment and a second cathode electrolyte compartment such that liquid flow between the cathode electrolyte compartments is possible, but wherein gaseous communication to between the cathode electrolyte compartments is restricted. Carbon dioxide gas in one cathode electrolyte compartment is utilized with the cathode electrolyte in both compartments to produce the base solution with less that 3V applied across the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: RYAN J. GILLIAM, THOMAS A. ALBRECHT, NIKHIL JALANI, NIGEL A. KNOTT, VALENTIN DECKER, MICHAEL Kostowskyj, BRYAN BOGGS, ALEXANDER GORER, KASRA FARSAD
  • Publication number: 20150047989
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that utilize mixed conductive membranes in conjunction with solid oxide electrolysis in a single unit operation. The mixed conductive membranes of the systems are high-flux electrochemical separation membranes that can selectively and efficiently capture CO2 from a source gas, e.g., a flue gas or fuel gas, by transporting the CO2 across the membrane in the form of carbonate ions followed by oxidation of the carbonate-ions at the second side of the membrane to reform CO2 in a capture stream. The solid oxide electrolysis can be immediately downstream of the capture system to convert the CO2 into CO and H2O into H2, for example thereby forming syngas thereby capturing CO2 and converting it to a more useful form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Kevin Huang
  • Patent number: 8940139
    Abstract: Provided is a gas diffusion electrode equipped ion exchange membrane electrolyzer including an anode, an ion exchange membrane, and a cathode chamber in which a gas diffusion electrode is disposed, wherein the ion exchange membrane and a cathode chamber inner space in which the gas diffusion electrode is disposed are separated by a liquid retaining member, the outer periphery of the liquid retaining member is held in a void formed in a gasket or a cathode chamber frame constituting the cathode chamber, or the outer periphery and the end face of the outer periphery of the liquid retaining member are sealed, or the outer periphery of the liquid retaining member is joined to and integrated with the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignees: Chlorine Engineers Corp., Ltd., Toagosei Co., Ltd., Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyohito Asaumi, Yukinori Iguchi, Mitsuharu Hamamori, Tomonori Izutsu
  • Publication number: 20140367274
    Abstract: The present disclosure is a system and method for producing a first product from a first region of an electrochemical cell having a cathode and a second product from a second region of the electrochemical cell having an anode. The method may include the step of contacting the first region of the electrochemical cell with a catholyte comprising an alcohol and carbon dioxide. Another step of the method may include contacting the second region of the electrochemical cell with an anolyte comprising the alcohol. Further, the method may include a step of applying an electrical potential between the anode and the cathode sufficient to produce a first product recoverable from the first region and a second product recoverable from the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Kyle Teamey, Jerry Kaczur, Emily Barton Cole, Paul Majsztrik, Narayanappa Sivasankar, Andrew B. Bocarsly
  • Publication number: 20140318981
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for producing electro-chemically activated water wherein (1) a dilute aqueous salt solution is first delivered through a preliminary reactor which has an anode element and a cathode element but does not have a membrane element positioned between the anode and the cathode and (2) the product from the preliminary reactor is then delivered through an activation reactor having a membrane element positioned between the anode and cathode elements thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: RADICAL WATERS INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Mathys Jacobus Buitendag, Philip Nel, Daniel Francois Jensen, Hendrik Frederik du Plessis
  • Publication number: 20140251822
    Abstract: A NaSICON cell is used to convert carbon dioxide into a usable, valuable product. In general, this reaction occurs at the cathode where electrons are used to reduce the carbon dioxide, in the presence of water and/or hydrogen gas, to form formate, methane, ethylene, other hydrocarbons and/or other chemicals. The particular chemical that is formed depends upon the reaction conditions, the voltage applied, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Sai Bhavaraju, James Mosby
  • Publication number: 20140206895
    Abstract: The present disclosure is a method and system for production of oxalic acid and oxalic acid reduction products. The production of oxalic acid and oxalic acid reduction products may include the electrochemical conversion of CO2 to oxalate and oxalic acid. The method and system for production of oxalic acid and oxalic acid reduction products may further include the acidification of oxalate to oxalic acid, the purification of oxalic acid and the hydrogenation of oxalic acid to produce oxalic acid reduction products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Liquid Light, Inc.
    Inventors: Zbigniew Twardowski, Emily Barton Cole, Jerry J. Kaczur, Kyle Teamey, Kate A. Keets, Rishi Parajuli, Alexander Bauer, Narayanappa Sivasankar, George Leonard, Theodore J. Kramer, Paul Majsztrik, Yizu Zhu
  • Publication number: 20140158547
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for reducing carbon dioxide into a carbon based product. The system includes an electrochemical cell having a cathode region which includes a cathode and a non-aqueous catholyte; an anode region having an anode and an aqueous or gaseous anolyte; and an ion permeable zone disposed between the anode region and the cathode region. The ion permeable zone is at least one of (i) the interface between the anolyte and the catholyte, (ii) an ion selective membrane; (iii) at least one liquid layer formed of an emulsion or (iv) a hydrophobic or glass fiber separator. The system and method includes a source of energy, whereby applying the source of energy across the anode and cathode reduces the carbon dioxide and produces an oxidation product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Liquid Light, Inc.
    Inventors: Narayanappa Sivasankar, Jerry J. Kaczur, Emily Barton Cole
  • Publication number: 20140131217
    Abstract: The electrochemical reactors disclosed herein provide novel oxidation and reduction chemistries and employ increased mass transport rates of materials to and from the surfaces of electrodes therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: CLEAN CHEMISTRY, LLC
    Inventor: Wayne Buschmann
  • Publication number: 20140116889
    Abstract: Electrolyzed water containing chlorine gas and hydrogen gas is provided, wherein the electrolyzed water has improved storage stability and provides satisfactory cleaning efficiency. In a fine bubble electrolyzed water generating apparatus and a method for generating fine bubble electrolyzed water, an electrolytic apparatus having a three-chamber structure is provided including an anode chamber 1 with an anode electrode, a cathode chamber 2 with a cathode electrode, an intermediate chamber 3, and diaphragms 4 and 5 provided between the intermediate chamber and each of the anode chamber and the cathode chamber. An acidic electrolyzed water storage tank 10 and an alkaline electrolyzed water storage tank 11 are provided adjacent to the apparatus. The respective storage tanks are in communication with the anode chamber and the cathode chamber through pipes. The respective storage tanks are in communication with nanobubble generators 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventor: Yoshinori Nakamoto
  • Publication number: 20140093810
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical cell comprising an anode and a cathode compartments, separated by a membrane, having corresponding electrodes; said anode and cathode compartments each having an external wall, flanged areas designed like frames in the contact area of the compartments, and a gas diffusion electrode comprising a liquid-permeable carrier coated with a catalyst material; said gas diffusion electrode featuring an area not coated with catalyst at its bottom edge, said area, at the bottom end of the electrochemical cell, protruding between the flanged areas of the external wall of the cathode compartment and the flanged areas of the external wall of the anode compartment in the contact area of the compartments; a porous material arranged parallel between the gas diffusion electrode and the membrane, and devices for the supply and discharge of gas and electrolyte, with a gas space separated from an electrolyte space by appropriate means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: UHDENORA, S.P.A.
    Inventors: Peter Woltering, Randolf Kiefer, Rainer Weber, Andreas Bulan
  • Publication number: 20140093811
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical cell comprising an anode and a cathode compartment separated by a membrane, housing corresponding electrodes. The anode and the cathode compartments having external walls with frame-type flanged areas in the contact area of both compartments. The flanged areas having mounting bores marking an inner area and an outer area of the electrochemical cell a, gas-diffusion electrode resting on a support system, a porous material resting on the gas-diffusion electrode, and devices for the inlet and outlet of gas and electrolyte. At least one circumferential gasket frame is in the contact area of both compartments, between the frame-type flanged areas of the external walls of both compartments, said gasket resting on the membrane, with the porous material and the gas-diffusion electrode resting on the frame-type cathodic flanged area and the circumferential gasket frame overlapping in this area with the porous material and the gas-diffusion electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Uhdenora, S.P.A.
    Inventors: Randolf Kiefer, Peter Woltering, Rainer Weber, Andreas Bulan, Michael Grossholz
  • Patent number: 8658007
    Abstract: An electrolysis system for generating a metal and molecular oxygen includes a container for receiving a metal oxide containing a metallic species to be extracted, a cathode positioned to contact a metal oxide housed within the container; an oxygen-ion-conducting membrane positioned to contact a metal oxide housed within the container; an anode in contact with the oxygen-ion-conducting membrane and spaced apart from a metal oxide housed within the container, said anode selected from the group consisting of liquid metal silver, oxygen stable electronic oxides, oxygen stable crucible cermets, and stabilized zirconia composites with oxygen stable electronic oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Trustees of Boston University
    Inventor: Uday B. Pal
  • Patent number: 8647497
    Abstract: A system for hydrogen sulfide removal from a sour gas mixture including hydrogen sulfide. The sour gas mixture is reacted with a transition metal compound in a scrubber. Sulfide from the hydrogen sulfide is oxidized to form elemental sulfur and the transition metal is reduced to form a reduced state transition metal compound. An electrochemical redox reaction is performed including the reduced state transition metal compound to regenerate the transition metal compound in an electrolyzer including a power source. During the electrochemical redox reaction a voltage from the power source applied to the electrolyzer is controlled to regenerate the transition metal compound at a rate sufficient to match a flow rate of hydrogen sulfide into the scrubber or maintain a predetermined maximum hydrogen sulfide level out from the scrubber. The transition metal compound regenerated is returned to the scrubber for the reacting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Cunping Huang, Franklyn Smith, Clovis A. Linkous, Karthikeyan Ramasamy, Ali T. Raissi, Nazim Muradov
  • Publication number: 20140034509
    Abstract: Methods and systems for heterocycle catalyzed carbonylation and hydroformylation with carbon dioxide are disclosed. A method may include, but is not limited to, steps (A) to (D). Step (A) may introduce water to a first compartment of an electrochemical cell. The first compartment may include an anode. Step (B) may introduce carbon dioxide to a second compartment of the electrochemical cell. The second compartment may include a solution of an electrolyte, a heterocyclic catalyst, and a cathode. Step (C) may introduce a second reactant to the second compartment of the electrochemical cell. Step (D) may apply an electrical potential between the anode and the cathode in the electrochemical cell sufficient to induce liquid phase carbonylation or hydroformylation to form a product mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Liquid Light, Inc.
    Inventors: Narayanappa Sivasankar, Emily Barton Cole, Kyle Teamey
  • Publication number: 20140021042
    Abstract: Methods and systems for electrochemical production of urea are disclosed. A method may include, but is not limited to, steps (A) to (B). Step (A) may introduce carbon dioxide and NOx to a solution of an electrolyte and a heterocyclic catalyst in an electrochemical cell. The divided electrochemical cell may include an anode in a first cell compartment and a cathode in a second cell compartment. The cathode may reduce the carbon dioxide and the NOx into a first sub-product and a second sub-product, respectively. Step (B) may combine the first sub-product and the second sub-product to produce urea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Liquid Light, Inc.
    Inventors: Narayanappa Sivasankar, Emily Barton Cole, Kyle Teamey, Andrew B. Bocarsly