Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting single multiphase fluid flow into plural multiphase fluid flows having substantially uniform composition and flow properties. A manifold comprises an enclosure having an inlet and an inner surface perpendicular to the inlet such that the incident angle of input flow impacts the surface to form a stagnation point whereby an intermediate flow is deflected along the surface substantially symmetrically outward from the stagnation point and channeled to a plurality of parallel fluid outlets connected to the enclosure. The distance between the stagnation point and the plurality of outlets is selected to maintain substantially equivalent fluid pressures and uniform flow rates at the outlets. A preferred embodiment of the manifold channels the intermediate flow between two walls forming a triangular shaped nozzle directing the flow from the stagnation point to the base of the triangle for communication of electrolyte to a metal-based fuel cell through the plurality of outlets.

Abstract: A system for filtering particles within a multiphase fluid that comprises a particulate phase is disclosed. The system comprises a first plurality of substantially parallel, substantially planar thin slabs separated by a predetermined distance to retain particles having a maximum cross-sectional dimension greater than the predetermined distance, and provides at least one flow path for at least part of the multiphase fluid. In one application, the system is used in connection with an electrochemical power source and components thereof, wherein the multiphase fluid comprises flowable fuel.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is described which comprises a power source and a fuel storage unit. A flowable fuel is contained with the fuel storage unit. A first flow path delivers fuel from the fuel storage unit to the power source. Some or all of this fuel is deposited into the individual cell cavities within the power source. A second flow path delivers fuel that is not deposited into the cell cavities to the fuel storage unit. A third flow path delivers unused and/or partially used fuel and/or reaction products and/or spent reaction solution from the cell cavities back to an optional reaction product storage unit and/or the fuel storage unit and/or to the second flow path. The system may further comprise an optional reaction product storage unit, an optional regeneration unit, an optional second reactant storage unit, an optional controller, and an optional power converter.

Abstract: A system for measuring available energy in a metal fuel cell is provided. The system comprises first componentry for measuring an electrical property of a mixture formed from one or more reaction products dissolved in a reaction medium. The electrical property may be such as to bear a known relationship with the concentration of the one or more reaction products. Using this known relationship, second componentry estimates the concentration of the one or more reaction products, and, responsive thereto, determines the available energy in the fuel cell.

Abstract: A system of and method for cooling a backup power system upon or after the occurrence of a power outage or reduction condition is provided. Upon or after the occurrence of the power outage or reduction condition, the backup power system powers the cooling system. The cooling system, in turn, cools the backup power system and a substantially enclosed space.

Abstract: An improved electrolyte-particulate fuel cell where the fuel cell includes an anode, cathode, a bottom surface area formed by the anode and cathode where fuel flows from top to bottom, and a screen where the screen is located near the anode's bottom and has a surface area greater than the cell's bottom surface area.

Abstract: A regulated DC power supply facilitates extended and uninterrupted power to a load by using a secondary power source such as a regenerative fuel cell that has its DC power output conditioned by a power converter. The DC power supply includes a rectifier that converts AC power from an AC power source to DC power for a load coupled to a DC bus. A fuel cell arrangement is electrically coupled to a power converter that is coupled in turn to the DC bus, the converter conditions an unconditioned DC power output of the fuel cell to the load. A system controller is communicatively coupled to the rectifier, the converter and to a fuel cell controller, the fuel cell controller initiating DC power output from the fuel cell arrangement upon detecting the AC power outage (or disengaging the fuel cell upon resumption of AC power).

Abstract: A fuel cell system for providing primary and/or auxiliary/backup power to one or more loads for which a primary and/or backup power source is desirable to enable equipment to function for its intended purpose. The system provides power to the one or more loads upon the occurrence of power outage condition, which includes a disruption in the delivery of primary power to, or power demand condition by, the one or more loads. A controller senses outage of primary power to, or demand for primary power by, the one or more loads, and, responsive thereto, operatively engages one or more fuel cells to provide power to the one or more loads.

Abstract: A method of and system for flushing one or more cells or components thereof in a particle-based electrochemical power source is provided. Reaction solution is delivered to and withdrawn from the one or more cells when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is described for providing backup power to one or more loads (including without limitation a cooling unit) upon the occurrence of a power outage condition, which includes a disruption or discontinuation in the delivery of primary power (i.e., power from a primary source, namely, a source other than the fuel cell system) to the one or more loads.

Abstract: Methods of making an oxygen reduction catalyst are described in which carbon black, one or more metal-containing and/or nitrogen-containing precursor(s) are provided to a reaction zone, and the carbon black is rendered catalytically active. To form this catalytic activity, the carbon black and one or more metal-containing and/or nitrogen-containing precursor(s) are introduced to a reaction zone heated to a temperature of between about 600 and about 1000 degrees Celsius, and maintained together in the reaction zone for a cumulative time between 5 seconds and 240 minutes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting single multiphase fluid flow into plural multiphase fluid flows having substantially uniform composition and flow properties. A manifold comprises an enclosure having an inlet and an inner surface perpendicular to the inlet such that the incident angle of input flow impacts the surface to form a stagnation point whereby an intermediate flow is deflected along the surface substantially symmetrically outward from the stagnation point and channeled to a plurality of parallel fluid outlets connected to the enclosure. The distance between the stagnation point and the plurality of outlets is selected to maintain substantially equivalent fluid pressures and uniform flow rates at the outlets. A preferred embodiment of the manifold channels the intermediate flow between two walls forming a triangular shaped nozzle directing the flow from the stagnation point to the base of the triangle for communication of electrolyte to a metal-based fuel cell through the plurality of outlets.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is described for providing backup power to one or more loads (including without limitation a cooling unit) upon the occurrence of a power outage condition, which includes a disruption or discontinuation in the delivery of primary power (i.e., power from a primary source, namely, a source other than the fuel cell system) to the one or more loads.

Abstract: A system and method for power management is described that provides for monitoring and controlling a regenerative fuel cell and at least one powered device. The power management system includes a communication interface to facilitate data transmission, a communication device for monitoring and controlling a regenerative fuel cell and at least one powered device, the communication device providing for sending data to and receiving data from at least one powered device over a communication interface, a regenerative fuel cell for providing storage and supply of electricity, and a power interface for allowing electricity generated by the regenerative fuel cell to power at least one powered device.

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: 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 novel fuel particle feeding mechanism that significantly improves operation of a refuelable electrochemical power source is provided. One embodiment of the mechanism provides an input of electrolyte and electrochemically active particles into one or more electrochemical cells through a feed tube. The feed tube has several embodiments that improve the flow of electrolyte and particles, and the even and complete settling of particles into individual cell cavities. Each cell cavity is completely filled, evenly and without clogging when open, and fluid communication between cell cavities is completely cut off when closed, to prevent short-circuiting of the power source during discharge or standby. Means are provided to prevent clogging of the feed tube with fuel particles, to promote complete filling of the cell cavities with fuel, and to prevent fuel particles from prematurely flowing out of the cell cavities. A method of operation is also described.

Abstract: A System and method is disclosed for preventing dendrite formation in a fuel cell, battery or metal recovery system. Typical metal/air fuel cell stacks comprise a plurality of cells electrically coupled together in a serial fashion. Electrolyte is typically pumped through the cells on a continuous basis using an input and output manifold device having a number of channels equal to the number of cells comprising the stack. This parallel connection causes the formation of metallic dendrites in the channels, which can short circuit the fuel cell stack or battery or metal-recovery apparatus. The system and method provides one or more dendrite elimination zones to prevent the formation of dendrites. The dendrite elimination zones are constructed within each cell or within each manifold to prevent the electrochemical reaction associated with dendrites from taking place.

Abstract: A transportable container for refueling a refuelable battery includes a case, an electrolyte reservoir within the case, a first valve connected to the electrolyte reservoir, a fuel compartment within the case, a second valve connected to the fuel compartment, and a conduit connected to the electrolyte reservoir and the fuel compartment. When the transportable container is attached to a refuelable battery, a closed flow circuit for the circulation of electrolyte is defined. Fuel particles and electrolyte are fed from the transportable container into the refuelable battery. When the refuelable battery is discharged, the transportable container, containing spent electrolyte and reaction products, is detached from the refuelable battery.