Patents by Inventor Rachid Zaffou
Rachid Zaffou has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20190148804Abstract: The hybrid air-slurry flow cell battery is at least one flow cell having a core area having an anode, a cathode parallel to the anode, and an ion-selective membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode to define parallel anolyte and catholyte flow paths through the core area on opposite sides of the membrane. An electrolyte tank is connected to the input and output of one of the flow paths to circulate a slurry containing a first electrochemically active redox reactant adsorbed on carbon particles suspended in a solvent between the electrolyte tank and the flow path through the core area. A gas diffusion electrode is connected to the other flow path, the gas (preferably air or oxygen) including a second electrochemically active redox reactant forming a redox couple with the first. A redox reaction across the membrane generates a voltage differential between the electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: BELABBES MERZOUGUI, AHMED SODIQ, RACHID ZAFFOU, LAGNAMAYEE MOHAPATRA
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Patent number: 10158140Abstract: A flow battery includes at least one electrochemical cell that has a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode and a separator arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. A first storage portion and a second storage portion are respectively fluidly connected with the at least one electrochemical cell. A first liquid electrolyte and a second liquid electrolyte are located in the respective first storage portion and second storage portion. The first electrode has an area over which it is catalytically active with regard to the first liquid electrolyte and the second electrode has an area over which it is catalytically active with regard to the second liquid electrolyte such that the area of the first electrode is greater than the area of the second electrode.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Rachid Zaffou, Michael L. Perry
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Publication number: 20180316038Abstract: The flow battery utilizing caustic waste includes at least one battery cell (100), which is formed from an ion-exchange membrane (106) disposed between porous anode and cathode electrode layers (108, 104). A cathode bipolar plate (102) is positioned adjacent the porous cathode electrode layer (104) and, similarly, an anode bipolar plate (110) is positioned adjacent the porous anode electrode layer (108). The anode bipolar plate (110) is adapted for receiving spent caustic waste and transporting the spent caustic waste to the anode electrode layer (108), and the cathode bipolar plate (102) is adapted for receiving an oxidant and transporting the oxidant to the porous cathode electrode layer (104) for generation of electricity while converting the spent caustic waste (303) into fresh caustic (306).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2016Publication date: November 1, 2018Applicant: QATAR FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTInventors: BELABBES MERZOUGUI, RACHID ZAFFOU
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Patent number: 10044058Abstract: A flow battery includes at least a cell that has a first electrode, a second electrode and an electrolyte separator layer arranged between the electrodes. A supply/storage system is external of the cell and includes a first vessel fluidly connected in a first loop with the first electrode and a second vessel fluidly connected in a second loop with the second electrode. The first loop and the second loop are isolated from each other. The supply/storage system is configured to fluidly connect the first loop and the second loop to move a second liquid electrolyte from the second vessel into a first liquid electrolyte in the first vessel responsive to a half-cell potential at the first electrode being less than a defined threshold half-cell potential.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert Mason Darling, Rachid Zaffou, Michael L. Perry, Craig R. Walker
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Patent number: 9647273Abstract: A flow battery includes an electrode operable to be wet by a solution having a reversible redox couple reactant. In one embodiment, the electrode can have plurality of micro and macro pores, wherein the macro pores have a size at least one order of magnitude greater than a size of the micro pores. In another embodiment, the electrode includes a plurality of layers, wherein one of the plurality of layers has a plurality of macro pores, and wherein another one of the plurality of layers has a plurality of micro pores. In another embodiment, the electrode has a thickness less than approximately 2 mm. In still another embodiment, the electrode has a porous carbon layer, wherein the layer is formed of a plurality of particles bound together.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Rachid Zaffou, Michael L. Perry, Arun Pandy, Sergei F. Burlatsky, Vadim Atrazhev
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Patent number: 9356303Abstract: A method is provided for mitigating hydrogen evolution within a flow battery system that includes a plurality of flow battery cells, a power converter and an electrochemical cell. The method includes providing hydrogen generated by the hydrogen evolution within the flow battery system to the electrochemical cell. A first electrical current generated by an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen and a reactant is sensed, and the sensed current is used to control an exchange of electrical power between the flow battery cells and the power converter.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Rachid Zaffou, Arun Pandy, Michael L. Perry
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Publication number: 20160013505Abstract: A flow battery includes at least a cell that has a first electrode, a second electrode and an electrolyte separator layer arranged between the electrodes. A supply/storage system is external of the cell and includes a first vessel fluidly connected in a first loop with the first electrode and a second vessel fluidly connected in a second loop with the second electrode. The first loop and the second loop are isolated from each other. The supply/storage system is configured to fluidly connect the first loop and the second loop to move a second liquid electrolyte from the second vessel into a first liquid electrolyte in the first vessel responsive to a half-cell potential at the first electrode being less than a defined threshold half-cell potential.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: Robert Mason Darling, Rachid Zaffou, Michael L. Perry, Craig R. Walker
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Publication number: 20150340710Abstract: A method of treating a carbon electrode includes providing a carbon-based electrode that has a surface with chemically different carbon oxides. The surface is treated with a reducing agent to reduce at least a portion of the oxides to a target carbon oxide. In an aspect, a method of treating a carbon electrode includes providing a carbon-based electrode that has a surface with an initial non-zero concentration of a target carbon oxide. The surface is then treated with a reducing agent to increase the initial non-zero concentration of the target carbon oxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2012Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Weina Li, Michael L. Perry, Rachid Zaffou, Christopher C. Shovlin
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Publication number: 20150333335Abstract: A flow battery includes an electrode operable to be wet by a solution having a reversible redox couple reactant. In one embodiment, the electrode can have plurality of micro and macro pores, wherein the macro pores have a size at least one order of magnitude greater than a size of the micro pores. In another embodiment, the electrode includes a plurality of layers, wherein one of the plurality of layers has a plurality of macro pores, and wherein another one of the plurality of layers has a plurality of micro pores. In another embodiment, the electrode has a thickness less than approximately 2 mm. In still another embodiment, the electrode has a porous carbon layer, wherein the layer is formed of a plurality of particles bound together.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Rachid Zaffou, Michael L. Perry, Arun Pandy, Sergei F. Burlatsky, Vadim Atrazhev
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Publication number: 20150263358Abstract: A flow battery includes a liquid electrolyte that has an electrochemically active specie and a bipolar plate that has channels for receiving flow of the liquid electrolyte. A porous electrode is arranged immediately adjacent the bipolar plate. The porous electrode is catalytically active with regard to the liquid electrolyte. The channels of the bipolar plate have at least one of a channel arrangement or a channel shape that is configured to positively force at least a portion of the flow of the liquid electrolyte into the porous electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Rachid Zaffou, Arun Pandy, Michael L. Perry
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Patent number: 9123962Abstract: A flow battery includes an electrode operable to be wet by a solution having a reversible redox couple reactant. In one embodiment, the electrode can have plurality of micro and macro pores, wherein the macro pores have a size at least one order of magnitude greater than a size of the micro pores. In another embodiment, the electrode includes a plurality of layers, wherein one of the plurality of layers has a plurality of macro pores, and wherein another one of the plurality of layers has a plurality of micro pores. In another embodiment, the electrode has a thickness less than approximately 2 mm. In still another embodiment, the electrode has a porous carbon layer, wherein the layer is formed of a plurality of particles bound together.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Rachid Zaffou, Michael L. Perry, Arun Pandy, Sergei F. Burlatsky, Vadim Atrazhev
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Patent number: 9083019Abstract: A flow battery system includes a flow battery stack, a sensor and a coolant loop. The flow battery stack has an electrolyte solution flowing therethrough, and the sensor is in communication with the electrolyte solution. The coolant loop is in heat exchange communication with the electrolyte solution, wherein the heat exchange communication is selective based on an output from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2011Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Michael L. Perry, Rachid Zaffou
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Publication number: 20140315113Abstract: A flow battery includes at least one electrochemical cell that has a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode and a separator arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. A first storage portion and a second storage portion are respectively fluidly connected with the at least one electrochemical cell. A first liquid electrolyte and a second liquid electrolyte are located in the respective first storage portion and second storage portion. The first electrode has an area over which it is catalytically active with regard to the first liquid electrolyte and the second electrode has an area over which it is catalytically active with regard to the second liquid electrolyte such that the area of the first electrode is greater than the area of the second electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventors: Rachid Zaffou, Michael L. Perry
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Publication number: 20140132238Abstract: A method is provided for mitigating hydrogen evolution within a flow battery system that includes a plurality of flow battery cells, a power converter and an electrochemical cell. The method includes providing hydrogen generated by the hydrogen evolution within the flow battery system to the electrochemical cell. A first electrical current generated by an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen and a reactant is sensed, and the sensed current is used to control an exchange of electrical power between the flow battery cells and the power converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Rachid Zaffou, Arun Pandy, Michael L. Perry
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Patent number: 8668997Abstract: A method is provided for mitigating hydrogen evolution within a flow battery system that includes a plurality of flow battery cells, a power converter and an electrochemical cell. The method includes providing hydrogen generated by the hydrogen evolution within the flow battery system to the electrochemical cell. A first electrical current generated by an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen and a reactant is sensed, and the sensed current is used to control an exchange of electrical power between the flow battery cells and the power converter.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2011Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Rachid Zaffou, Arun Pandy, Michael L. Perry
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Publication number: 20120321916Abstract: A method is provided for mitigating hydrogen evolution within a flow battery system that includes a plurality of flow battery cells, a power converter and an electrochemical cell. The method includes providing hydrogen generated by the hydrogen evolution within the flow battery system to the electrochemical cell. A first electrical current generated by an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen and a reactant is sensed, and the sensed current is used to control an exchange of electrical power between the flow battery cells and the power converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.Inventors: Rachid Zaffou, Arun Pandy, Michael L. Perry
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Publication number: 20120321920Abstract: A flow battery system includes a flow battery stack, a sensor and a coolant loop. The flow battery stack has an electrolyte solution flowing therethrough, and the sensor is in communication with the electrolyte solution. The coolant loop is in heat exchange communication with the electrolyte solution, wherein the heat exchange communication is selective based on an output from the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Perry, Rachid Zaffou
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Publication number: 20120258345Abstract: A flow battery includes an electrode operable to be wet by a solution having a reversible redox couple reactant. In one embodiment, the electrode can have plurality of micro and macro pores, wherein the macro pores have a size at least one order of magnitude greater than a size of the micro pores. In another embodiment, the electrode includes a plurality of layers, wherein one of the plurality of layers has a plurality of macro pores, and wherein another one of the plurality of layers has a plurality of micro pores. In another embodiment, the electrode has a thickness less than approximately 2 mm. In still another embodiment, the electrode has a porous carbon layer, wherein the layer is formed of a plurality of particles bound together.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Inventors: Rachid Zaffou, Michael L. Perry, Arun Pandy, Sergei F. Burlatsky, Vadim Atrazhev
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Publication number: 20120202099Abstract: A flow battery includes a membrane having a thickness of less than approximately one hundred twenty five micrometers; and a solution having a reversible redox couple reactant, wherein the solution wets the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2011Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Michael L. Perry, Arun Pandy, Rachid Zaffou, Craig R. Walker
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Patent number: 8097385Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a bipolar plate assembly for use in a fuel cell stack. The bipolar plate assembly includes: (a) at least one flow field layer defining a flow field portion and a perimeter portion; (b) at least one core assembly including at least one porous carbon layer and at least one impermeable layer; and (c) a cathode side reactant and an anode side reactant. The at least a first flow field layer is made from a porous carbon material and the perimeter portion is impregnated with a polymer material. The porous carbon layer is joined to: (i) the at least one impermeable layer on a first side by an adhesive material; and (ii) the flow field layer perimeter on a second side by a second adhesive material. The at least a first flow field layer defines reactant inlet and outlet ports and reactant flow passageways for each of the cathode side reactant and the anode side reactant.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2007Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: University of ConnecticutInventors: H. Russell Kunz, Leonard Bonville, Rachid Zaffou, Ruichun Jiang, James Fenton