Electrochemical Cells
Electrochemical Cells come in many forms, sizes and configurations and are customized to perform any number of specific tasks.
Electrochemical Cells are referred to or called different names that encompass the same basic devices.
Basically these devices are designed to channel the flow of an electric charge into or out of a redox reaction.
A Reduction or Oxidation reaction (commonly called a REDOX reaction) is simply a description of the function that
breaks the molecular bonds of materials that results in the separation of items into individual elements,
or conversely, bonds elements into molecular compounds.
A typical Electrochemical Cell consists of a pair of electrodes connected into a electrical circuit.
( an anode and a cathode positive + & Negative - charge )
The electrodes are joined by a conductive material called an electrolyte.
The cells may or may not be designed with a separator or membrane to divide or prevent direct contact of the electrodes.
These components, the electrodes, electrolyte and the separators may consist of materials in a
solid/liquid/gas/plasma state.
REDOX reactions may be spontaneous (exothermic) or non-spontaneous (endothermic) and are reversible.
REDOX reactions may also occur as an
out of cell
reaction which may prevent direct harnessing of an electric current.
The Recovery 2.0 strategy attempts to focus some efforts to address the largely overlooked range between milliwatt up to kilowatts.
Attempting to recover or harvest a larger spectrum of industrial waste energy by implementing a
Multi-Stage Energy Management and
Harvesting Strategy,
this provides an opportunity to revolutionize our view the whole energy spectrum.
Voltaic (Galvanic) Cell
Typically a Voltaic is referred to as a chemical device that spontaneously generates an electrical charge.
Examples of Traditional Voltaic or Galvanic Cells can be found sprinkled throughout history in various forms
commonly compiled into cell stacks and arrays in an attempt to accumulate meaningful power.
Voltaic or Galvanic Cells are commonly seen in simple and makeshift batteries and natural plating systems.
Electrolytic cell
Typically a Electrolytic cell is referred to as a device that uses an external electrical charge
to invoke a chemical reaction.
Electrolytic cells are the commonly seen in electro-plating processes,
ElectroRefining
and Electrowinning operations.
The electrolysis of water to generate
hydrogen,
alkaline electrolysers for
brine recovery
is common and increasing in popular adoption.
Electrochemical processing of mixed
HydroCarbons
for the production of Hydrogen
and
CO2 Splitting
are examples of REDOX reduction options.
Fuel Cell
Generation of power with the use of Fuel Cells.
A fuel cell is the electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of a fuel
(often hydrogen) and an oxidizing agent (often oxygen) into electricity.
Different Types of Fuel Cells include;
1. Alkaline fuel cell (AFC)
2. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)
3. Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC)
4. Phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC)
5. Molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC)
6. Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)
Innovations such as
Direct Carbon Fuel Cells
may assist in the development and rapid adoption of Recovery 2.0 or similar recovery systems.
Batteries & Battery Systems
Batteries are a common form of Electrochemical Cells that are encountered in a wide variety of shapes sizes and forms.
Portable primary (non-rechargeable) and secondary (rechargeable) batteries are commonly found as closed or sealed cells.
Larger stationary batteries may be found as open cycle or
flow batteries.
Out of Cell REDOX reactions
REDOX reactions may also occur as an out of cell reaction which may prevent direct harnessing of an electric current.
May be better suited to harnessing heat.
The design of reactors for Oxidation
REDOX Displacement
and digesters designed to harvest
Exothermic Energy
are a method to covert heat
Direct to Electricity.
Opportunities exist to tap potential sources of energy from
Furnaces,
Kilns
and Gasification or pyrolysis units.
Electrolyser
The use of electricity to split elements within an electrolyzer cell is a growing green choice in the
decarbonization and electrification movement.
An alternative approach may be the use of a
Microwave Catalyst
splitting reactor.
