Compact frameless bipolar stack for a multicell electrochemical reactor with planar bipolar electrical interconnects and internal ducting of circulation of electrolyte solutions through all respective cell compartments

Abstract

A frameless bipolar cell stack architecture with either internal manifolds of circulation of electrolyte solutions 'in parallel' through all respective cell compartments or internal ducting adapted to provide for 'serial' flow paths of the electrolyte solutions in succession through all respective cell compartments of the stack, does not employ any plastic frame and employs substantially planar bipolar electrical interconnects (I) of substantially homogeneous electrical conductivity with a perimeter that super- imposes to the perimeter of any other element of the stack. Whenever useful for the particular application, the planar interconnects may have a protruding 'lug portion' that projects beyond the outer perimeter side of the other stacked elements, providing an externally contactable area sufficiently large for the power (current rating) of an electrical tap, at an intermediate voltage relative to the voltage difference between the end terminals of the stack, connectable to an external circuit.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to electrochemical cells, and more particularly to multi-cell bipolar stack reactors having internal conduits for circulating electrolyte solutions through the individual cell compartments. Background technique [0002] Generally, in a stack of bipolar units, through the alignment of the through-holes in the plastic frame, in the peripheral part of the plastic frame of the two flow compartments of each unit hydraulically separated by a permionic membrane, a Inlet and outlet manifolds for anolyte and for catholyte or for positively charged and for negatively charged electrolyte solutions. The anode and cathode flow compartments of the individual cells of the bipolar stack communicate with the respective inlet and outlet manifolds via ducts running through the plastic frame or otherwise defined. [0003] The seal is generally provided by a usual gasket or O-ring set of elastomers in the form of a flat gasket inse...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although the charge and discharge process does not involve gas evolution on the electrodes and can thus reduce the size of the internal pipes and manifolds, the usual stack based on the presence of a plastic frame for the internal manifolds and pipes necessary for each electrode compartment of the cell The structure severely limits the possibility of compact overall dimensions of bipolar multi-element stacks

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