Partial flow cell

Abstract

A partial flow cell may include a cathode chamber, an anode chamber, and a separator arrangement sandwiched between the cathode and anode chambers. The separator arrangement may be configured to permit ionic flow between electroactive materials disposed within the cathode and anode chambers. One of the cathode and anode chambers may be configured to permit an electroactive material to flow through the chamber during operation. The other of the cathode and anode chambers may be configured to hold an electroactive material fixed within the chamber during operation.

1 . A partial flow cell comprising:
 a cathode current collector;   a mobile catholyte including a cathode active material, the catholyte in contact with the cathode current collector;   a separator arrangement in contact with the catholyte;   a fixed anode active material in contact with the separator arrangement, the separator arrangement permitting ionic flow between the cathode active material and fixed anode active material; and   an anode current collector in contact with the fixed anode active material and configured to be externally electrically connected with a cathode current collector.   
     
     
         2 . The cell of  claim 1  wherein the separator arrangement includes a nonwoven or woven matt configured to retain electrolyte. 
     
     
         3 . The cell of  claim 2  wherein the separator arrangement further includes a microporous sheet in contact with the nonwoven or woven matt and the fixed anode active material and configured to prevent migration of the fixed anode active material into the nonwoven or woven matt. 
     
     
         4 . The cell of  claim 1  wherein the separator arrangement includes an ion exchange membrane in contact with the catholyte. 
     
     
         5 . The cell of  claim 1  wherein the catholyte is a liquid or liquid slurry. 
     
     
         6 . The cell of  claim 1  wherein the fixed anode active material is a paste. 
     
     
         7 . The cell of  claim 1  wherein the fixed anode active material comprises a metal/metal oxide or metal/metal hydroxide matrix. 
     
     
         8 . The cell of  claim 1  wherein the fixed anode active material comprises zinc/zinc oxide. 
     
     
         9 . A partial flow cell comprising:
 an anode current collector;   a mobile anolyte including an anode active material, the anolyte in contact with the anode current collector;   a separator arrangement in contact with the anolyte;   a fixed cathode active material in contact with the separator arrangement, the separator arrangement permitting ionic flow between the anode active material and fixed cathode active material; and   a cathode current collector in contact with the fixed cathode active material and configured to be externally electrically connected with an anode current collector.   
     
     
         10 . The cell of  claim 9  wherein the separator arrangement includes a nonwoven or woven matt in contact with the fixed cathode active material and configured to retain electrolyte. 
     
     
         11 . The cell of  claim 10  wherein the separator arrangement includes an ion exchange membrane in contact with the anolyte. 
     
     
         12 . The cell of  claim 10  wherein the anolyte is a liquid or liquid slurry. 
     
     
         13 . The cell of  claim 10  wherein the fixed cathode active material is a paste. 
     
     
         14 . The cell of  claim 10  wherein the fixed cathode active material comprises nickel hydroxide/nickel oxyhydroxide.