All-metal spacer knit mesh for electrochemical cells

Abstract

[Solution] All-wire spacer knit mesh is used as an electrode / flow field / current collector plate in the cell of an alkaline electrolysis apparatus. Double or multi-layer all-wire spacer knit mesh can be used as an electrode / bipolar plate / electrode composite to bridge the gap in the electrode flow field between two adjacent transport separators and form a gas seal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the structure of electrochemical cells and spacer knit mesh fabrics (warp or weft knitted), and more particularly, to all-metal wire spacer knit mesh (warp or weft knitted) used as elastic elements and / or flow fields and / or electrodes within an electrochemical cell.

Background Art

[0002] The structure and operation of electrochemical cells are well known in the art. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in hydrogen gas production, and the development of new and improved configurations of hydrogen electrolyzers and new materials for reducing production and operating costs has been ongoing.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] It should be understood that the present disclosure refers to an alkaline hydrogen electrolyzer as an exemplary embodiment, but the spacer knit materials described herein are useful in a variety of electrochemical cell types and / or configurations. [[ID=ZZ4]]

[0004] [[ID=ZZ5]] An alkaline hydrogen electrolyzer typically has a cell containing an alkaline electrolyte and metal electrodes (anode and cathode), and these metal electrodes are suspended in an alkaline solution and separated by a porous separator that allows for the transport of OH - ions.

[0005] Conventional electrolytic devices have solid electrodes, and a gap exists between the electrodes and the separator. However, in more recent zero-gap designs, porous or open electrodes are in direct contact with the separator, eliminating the gap. In zero-gap electrolytic devices, the metal electrodes may be made of pure nickel (anode side) or open material made of metal coated with a nickel-based compound that acts as a catalyst (cathode side, nickel plate coated with nickel sulfide (NiS)). By passing an electric current between the electrodes, hydrogen is released on the cathode side and oxygen is released on the anode side.

[0006] Commercial electrolytic devices have a stacked structure of cells with a water inlet and a gas outlet. Since electricity is conducted through this stacked structure, it is extremely important that each layer has good conductivity throughout the entire structure.

[0007] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an all-wire spacer knit mesh can be used as an electrode within a cell, and a two-layer or multi-layer all-wire spacer knit mesh can be used as an electrode / bipolar plate composite.

[0008] Conventional spacer knit meshes (warp or weft knitted) consist of two outer knit layers (upper and lower flat or planar woven layers) interconnected by multiple spacer yarns, with a spacer layer formed between these layers. The multiple spacer yarns can be interconnected with the outer layers by stitching during manufacturing. In this disclosure, all yarns or filaments (wires) used in the knitting and stitching processes are made of metal wires. In one exemplary embodiment, both the upper and lower woven layers and the spacer mesh layer are knitted with metal yarns, which may include metal wires, metal alloy filaments, or other conductive materials, filaments coated with conductive metal, or wires or metal alloys suitable for each structure intended within the electrochemical cell.

[0009] The spacer layer has a thicker dimension compared to the outer knit layer and features a loosely permeable structure that provides elasticity in the thickness direction of the mesh structure. The upper and lower woven knit layers form a denser structure that makes up the outer surface, while the loosely knitted inner spacer layer forms a more open structure. Because the spacer layer has an energy-absorbing region, it can function as an elastic element or as a flow field in an electrochemical cell. Since all the wires are metal, the entire structure is conductive, and one or both of the outer layers can function as an electrode layer, bipolar plate, or flow field layer in an electrochemical cell.

[0010] In some embodiments, a gas seal can be formed on one side by covering one of the outer layers with brazing powder and flux during or after the braiding process, and then brazing it in an oven. In this way, the single-layer spacer mesh can function as a solid current collector on one side and as a porous electrode on the other side, with an electrolyte flow field interposed between the two sides.

[0011] In another exemplary embodiment, a two-layer or multi-layer all-wire spacer knit mesh for an electrochemical cell comprises multiple fabric layers and a spacer layer and can function as an electrode / bipolar plate / electrode pack in a multi-cell electrolytic device.

[0012] In one embodiment of the two-layer configuration, the two-layer all-wire spacer knit mesh can be knitted in a single process and consists of a first outer all-metal knit fabric layer interconnected to an intermediate all-metal knit fabric layer by a first spacer layer, and an opposing second outer all-metal knit fabric layer connected to the intermediate all-metal knit fabric layer by a second spacer layer, thereby forming a sandwich structure. During the knitting process, the intermediate layer is covered with brazing powder and flux, and then brazed in an oven to form a gas seal between the outer layers. In this way, the inner fabric layer of the two-layer spacer mesh can function as a bipolar plate within the cell.

[0013] In another embodiment, two independent, all-wire spacer knit meshes are knitted independently, and one side of each layer is coated with brazing powder and flux. The coated surfaces are then overlapped and brazed together to form a solid inner layer gas seal within the two-layer spacer mesh.

[0014] In all embodiments, the single-layer or multi-layer spacer mesh can simultaneously function as an elastic element (with independently variable elastic properties), current collector, bipolar plate, electrode, transport layer, and / or flow field within an electrochemical cell. Because the entire structure is metallic, the entire single-layer or multi-layer spacer mesh is conductive throughout its thickness, length, and width.

[0015] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described as having the above-described features, various combinations of these features are also included in specific embodiments of the present invention, and it should be understood that the scope of the present invention is limited by the claims and not by the description herein. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] This specification concludes with claims that specifically point out and expressly assert particular embodiments of the present invention, but various embodiments of the present invention can be more readily understood and grasped by reading the following descriptions of various embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary single-cell alkaline electrolytic apparatus of the prior art. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a single-layer all-metal spacer knit mesh according to the teachings of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary single-layer spacer mesh, in which one of the outer knitted fabric surface layers is coated and brazed to form a bipolar plate / gas seal. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary two-layer spacer mesh, in which an inner knitted fabric layer is coated and brazed to form a bipolar plate / gas seal between the two outer layers. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary two-layer spacer mesh, in which two separate single-layer spacer meshes are superimposed and brazed together to form a bipolar plate / gas seal between the two outer layers. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary single-cell alkaline electrolyte electrochemical cell using two single-layer spacer meshes (with brazed outer layers), each of which is positioned opposite the separator and functions as an upper and lower plate, or electrode / flow field / current collector plate compartment held within the housing element. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of another exemplary single-cell alkaline electrolyte electrochemical cell using two single-layer spacer meshes, each positioned on the opposite side of the separator and functioning as an upper and lower current collector plate and electrode / flow field / contact layer compartment held within an end plate or housing element. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary two-layer alkaline electrolyte electrochemical cell using two single-layer spacer meshes (with brazed outer layers), where these two single-layer spacer meshes are positioned outside the multilayer (intermediate bipolar plate) spacer mesh and separator, and function as upper and lower end plates, or electrode / flow field / current collector plate compartments held within the housing element. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] To provide a comprehensive understanding of the structure, function, manufacturing method, and principle of use of the devices and methods disclosed herein, specific exemplary embodiments will be described. One or more examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting and exemplary embodiments, and that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims. Features illustrated or described in relation to an exemplary embodiment can be combined with features of other embodiments. Such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, components having the same reference numerals in the embodiments of the present disclosure generally have the same features, so in a particular embodiment, each feature of the components having the same reference numerals is not necessarily described in complete detail. Further, when linear or circular dimensions are used in the description of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed, such dimensions are not intended to limit the types of shapes that can be used in combination with the systems, devices, and methods. Those skilled in the art will recognize that for any geometric shape, dimensions corresponding to such linear and circular dimensions can be easily determined. Further, when terms indicating directions such as upper, lower, above, below, etc. are used, they are not intended to limit the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these terms are merely related to the systems and devices being described and are not universal.

[0018] The present disclosure refers to an alkaline water electrolysis device as an exemplary embodiment. However, it should be understood that the spacer knit material described herein is useful in various electrochemical cell types and / or configurations.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, an alkaline water electrolysis device 10 typically has a cell housing 12 containing an alkaline electrolyte 14 (such as H2O + KOH or H2O + NaOH with a concentration of 10% to 50%), and metal electrodes (anode 16 and cathode 18), usually nickel or nickel alloy. These metal electrodes are suspended in the alkaline solution 14 and separated by a porous separator 20 that enables the transport of OH - ions. The separator 20 separates the opposing reaction zones and is impermeable to gases but must be selectively permeable to OH - ions. An example of a separator material is a porous material manufactured and sold under the trademark Zirfon Perl by Agfa. This porous material is composed of a polyphenylene sulfide fabric with an open pore mesh structure symmetrically coated with a mixture of approximately 15% polysulfone and approximately 85% zirconium oxide (ZrO). This porous material has a thickness of 0.5 mm, a porosity of 55%, the same density as water, and a maximum operating temperature of 110°C.

[0020] The design of conventional electrolysis devices before the 1960s had solid electrodes with a gap between the electrodes and the separator. However, in more recent zero-gap designs (such as shown in FIG. 1), the porous electrodes or open pore electrodes 16, 18 are in direct contact with the separator 20, eliminating the gap. In the zero-gap electrolysis device 10, the metal electrodes 16, 18 may be made of an open pore material made of pure nickel (anode side) or a metal coated with a nickel-based compound acting as a catalyst (cathode side, a nickel plate coated with nickel sulfide (NiS)). By passing an electric current between the electrodes 16, 18, hydrogen is released on the cathode side and oxygen is released on the anode side.

[0021] As described below, larger electrolysis devices simply have a structure where individual cells having a water inlet and a gas outlet are electrically connected and repeatedly stacked. Since electricity conducts through this stacked structure, it is extremely important to have good electrical conductivity throughout the entire layer structure.

[0022] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the spacer knit mesh structure 100 is shown. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the all-wire spacer knit mesh 100 can be used as an electrode / flow field / bipolar plate in an electrochemical cell structure.

[0023] The spacer knit mesh (warp or weft knit) 100 consists of two outer knit layers 102, 104 (upper and lower flat or planar "textile" layers) mainly knitted with mesh yarns 106a, and these outer knit layers 102, 104 are interconnected via a plurality of spacer yarns 106b that form a spacer layer 108 between the layers. Mesh yarns 106a and spacer yarns 106b are typically used for warp and weft knitting, and these are knitted within layers 102, 104 and move between the layers and mix with each other.

[0024] As used herein, the term “textile” refers to the knitted structure of the layers, not the material used. The spacer yarn 106b is interconnected with the outer layers 102, 104 by stitching during the knitting process.

[0025] In this disclosure, all yarns (mesh 106a and spacer 106b) used in the braiding and stitching processes are composed of metallic yarns, metallic wires, or metallic filaments. In exemplary embodiments, the upper and lower fabric layers 102, 104 and the spacer mesh layer 108 are braided from metallic "yarns," which may include metallic wires, metallic alloy wires, metallic filaments, metallic alloy filaments, conductive metals, or metallic alloy-coated filaments, or other metallic-coated elements suitable for each structure intended within the electrochemical cell. As used in this disclosure, the term "yarn" 106 is considered to include multi-strand structures of braided wires or twisted yarns composed of a number of individual metallic wires.

[0026] Depending on the context, the term "wire" may be used as a substitute for "thread," and this term is understood as a linear material that is not composed of individual sub-elements, i.e., has a single, limited cross-section.

[0027] The diameter of the metal thread 106 can be 0.03 mm to 0.3 mm, and particularly 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm. By using this diameter range, sufficient thermal and / or electrical conductivity is ensured within the range of conventional materials, while preventing material damage due to the bending of the metal thread that occurs when stitches are formed in the warp-knitted spacer fabric. As mentioned above, nickel, nickel-plated metals, and nickel alloy metals are preferred for the alkaline electrolytic device.

[0028] The spacer layer 108 has a thicker dimension compared to the outer knit layers 102 and 104 and features a loosely permeable structure that provides elastic force in the thickness direction of the mesh structure. The upper and lower woven knit layers 102 and 104 are a denser structure that forms the outer surface, while the loosely knitted inner spacer layer 108 forms a more open structure. Because the spacer layer 108 has an energy absorption region, it functions as an elastic compression element, or an element called a "mattress" in the field of electrochemical cells, and also functions as a flow field for the electrolyte 14 within the electrochemical cell. Since all the wires 106 are made of metal, the entire structure is conductive, and one or both of the outer layers 102 and 104 function as an electrode layer or bipolar plate within the electrochemical cell, while the spacer layer 108 electrically connects the outer layers 102 and 104 and can function as an internal flow field.

[0029] Referring to Figure 4, in another embodiment 100a, during or after the knitting process, one of the outer layers (e.g., 102) can be covered with brazing powder 110 and flux, and then brazed in an oven to form a solid layer gas seal 102a on one side. The brazing powder 110 melts and fills the gaps in the woven knit structure of the outer layer 102, forming a solid surface 102a. In this way, the single-layer spacer mesh 100a can function as a solid bipolar plate on one side 102a and as a porous electrode on the opposite side 104, with an electrolyte flow field (spacer layer) 108 interposed between the two sides.

[0030] Referring to Figure 5, in another embodiment, a two- or multi-layer all-wire spacer knit mesh 200 for an electrochemical cell comprises multiple fabric layers and a spacer layer, and can function as an electrode / bipolar plate / electrode pack in a multi-cell electrolytic device.

[0031] The two-layer all-wire spacer knit mesh 200 shown in Figure 5 can be knitted in a single process and consists of a first outer all-metal knit fabric layer 202 interconnected to an intermediate all-metal knit fabric layer 204 by a first spacer layer 206, and an opposing second outer all-metal knit fabric layer 208 connected to the intermediate all-metal knit fabric layer 204 by a second spacer layer 210, thereby forming a sandwich structure. During the knitting process, the intermediate layer is covered with brazing powder 212 and flux, and then brazed in an oven to form a solid layer between the outer layers 202 and 208. In this way, the intermediate fabric layer 204 of the two-layer spacer knit mesh 200 can function as a solid impermeable gas seal and bipolar plate between two adjacent cells in a multi-cell electrolytic device structure.

[0032] Referring to Figure 6, in another embodiment 300 of the two-layer spacer mesh, two independent single layers, all-wire spacer knit mesh 100a, are independently knitted, and one side of each layer is coated with brazing powder 110 and flux. The coated surfaces are then overlapped and brazed to form a solid inner layer gas seal 310 within the two-layer spacer mesh 300.

[0033] In all embodiments, the single-layer or multi-layer spacer mesh can simultaneously function as an elastic element, bipolar plate, electrode, transport layer, and / or flow field within an electrochemical cell (having elastic properties that can be independently varied based on both wire and braiding variables). Because the entire structure is metallic, the entire single-layer or multi-layer spacer mesh is conductive throughout its thickness, length, and width.

[0034] Referring to Figure 7, a cross-sectional view of an exemplary single-cell alkaline electrolyte electrochemical cell 400 is shown, using two single-layer spacer meshes 100a (with brazed outer layers), where each of these single-layer spacer meshes 100a is OH - Located on the opposite side of the transport separator 402, it functions as an electrode / flow field / current collector plate compartment held within the upper end plate or housing element 404 and the lower end plate or housing element 406. An alkaline electrolyte 410 (such as H2O + KOH or H2O + NaOH) is sealed within cells on both sides of the separator 402. O2 and H2 outlet ports (not shown) are formed within the housing structure or end plates to release gases generated along the cell reaction pathway. Power is supplied between the electrodes directly or via current collector plates.

[0035] The anode-side spacer mesh 100a has an outer layer 102a brazed to form a current collector plate / gas seal, while the inner layer 104 functions as a porous (zero-gap) electrode in direct contact with the separator 402 (Zirfon). The inner layer 104 can be woven with NiMo alloy yarn to act as an oxygen catalyst. The cathode-side spacer mesh 100a also has an outer (lower) layer 102a brazed to form a current collector plate / gas seal, while the inner layer 104 functions as a porous (zero-gap) electrode in direct contact with the separator 402. The cathode-side inner layer 104 can be woven with NiFe alloy yarn to act as a hydrogen catalyst. Since the spacer layers 108 in both layers of the spacer mesh 100a are elastic, the cell 400 is compressed within the end plate structures 404 and 406, thereby improving overall conductivity through close contact of the layered structure.

[0036] Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative single-cell alkaline electrolyte electrochemical cell 500 using two single-layer spacer meshes 100 (Figure 3), each of which is positioned opposite the separator 502 and functions as an electrode / flow field / contact layer compartment held within the upper and lower current collector plates 504, 506 and end plates 508, 510 or housing elements. In this case, the outer layer 102 is not brazed and is porous like a knit. The cell is similar to the structure and composition described above, except that separate current collector plates 504, 506 are added to the anode and cathode sides to form a gas seal on the outside of the cell structure.

[0037] Referring to Figure 9, a cross-sectional view of an exemplary two-layer alkaline electrolyte electrochemical cell 600 is shown, which uses two single-layer spacer meshes 100 (with brazed outer layers), these two single-layer spacer meshes 100 are positioned outside two spaced spacers 602, 604 and a two-layer spacer mesh 200, and function as electrode / flow field / current collector plate compartments held within upper and lower end plates 606, 608 or housing elements.

[0038] Similar to the configuration described in Figure 7, two single-layer spacer meshes 100 are stacked on the outside of spaced-apart first and second separators 602, 604. The outermost layer of the spacer mesh is brazed to form a gas seal / current collector plate 102a. Each inner layer 104 facing the separator forms the anode and cathode, respectively. Between the first separator 602 and the second separator 604, a double-layer all-wire spacer knit mesh 200 is provided. As explained in relation to Figure 5, the two-layer all-wire spacer knit mesh 200 has a first outer knit layer 202, a second outer knit layer 208, an intermediate knit layer 204 positioned between the first outer knit layer 202 and the second outer knit layer 208, a first spacer knit layer 206 positioned between the first outer knit layer 202 and the intermediate knit layer 204 and interconnecting the first outer knit layer 202 and the intermediate knit layer 204, and a second spacer knit layer 210 positioned between the second outer knit layer 208 and the intermediate knit layer 204 and interconnecting the second outer knit layer 208 and the intermediate knit layer 204. The first outer knit layer 202 is positioned adjacent to the first separator 602 and functions as the cathode side of the first cell 600a. The second outer knit layer 208 is positioned adjacent to the second separator 604 and functions as the anode side of the second cell 600b.

[0039] The intermediate knit layer 204 is coated and brazed with metal powder and flux to form a gas-impermeable seal / bipolar plate layer between adjacent cells 600a and 600b.

[0040] The alkaline electrolyte 610 (such as H2O + KOH or H2O + NaOH) is enclosed within flow field elastic (EFF) spacers 108, 206, 210, and 108, which are positioned on both sides of the separators 602 and 604.

[0041] O2 and H2 outlet ports (not shown) are formed within the housing structure or end plate structures 606, 608 to release gases generated along the cell reaction pathway. Power is supplied between the electrodes directly or via current collectors.

[0042] Similarly, since the spacer layers 108, 206, 210, and 108 of the three spacer meshes 100a and 200 are all elastic, the cell 600 is compressed within the end plate, thereby improving the overall conductivity by allowing the layered structure to come into close contact.

[0043] While this specification describes specific structures that embody the present invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the components are possible without departing from the essence and scope of the fundamental concepts of the present invention, and that the present invention is not limited to the specific forms shown and described herein.

Claims

1. It is a spacer knit mesh, The first outer knit layer, The second outer knit layer, A spacer knit layer is disposed between the first outer knit layer and the second outer knit layer, and connects the first outer knit layer and the second outer knit layer. It has, The first and second outer knit layers and the spacer knit layer each have a plurality of knitting yarns, The aforementioned multiple braided threads are composed solely of metal materials. Spacer knit mesh.

2. A spacer knit mesh according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of knitting threads are made of metal wire.

3. A spacer knit mesh according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of knitting threads are made of nickel metal wire.

4. A spacer knit mesh according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second outer knit layers is coated and brazed with metal powder and flux to form a gas-impermeable sealing layer.

5. A spacer knit mesh according to claim 2, wherein one of the first and second outer knit layers is coated and brazed with metal powder and flux to form a gas-impermeable sealing layer.

6. A spacer knit mesh according to claim 3, wherein one of the first and second outer knit layers is coated and brazed with metal powder and flux to form a gas-impermeable sealing layer.

7. It is a two-layer spacer knit mesh, First outer knit layer and The second outer knit layer and An intermediate knit layer disposed between the first outer knit layer and the second outer knit layer, A first spacer knit layer is disposed between the first outer knit layer and the intermediate knit layer, and interconnects the first outer knit layer with the intermediate knit layer. A second spacer knit layer is disposed between the second outer knit layer and the intermediate knit layer, and interconnects the second outer knit layer with the intermediate knit layer. It has, The first and second outer knit layers, the intermediate knit layer, and the first and second spacer knit layers each have a plurality of knitting yarns. The aforementioned multiple braided threads are composed solely of metal materials. Double-layer spacer knit mesh.

8. A two-layer spacer knit mesh according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of knitting threads are composed of metal wires.

9. A two-layer spacer knit mesh according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of knitting threads are made of nickel metal wire.

10. A two-layer spacer knit mesh according to claim 7, wherein the intermediate knit layer is coated and brazed with metal powder and flux to form a gas-impermeable sealing layer.

11. A two-layer spacer knit mesh according to claim 7, wherein the intermediate knit layer is coated and brazed with metal powder and flux to form a gas-impermeable sealing layer.

12. A two-layer spacer knit mesh according to claim 7, wherein the intermediate knit layer is coated and brazed with metal powder and flux to form a gas-impermeable sealing layer.

13. It is an electrochemical cell, Electrolyte and First and second metal electrodes suspended in the electrolyte, A separator is placed between the first metal electrode and the second metal electrode in the electrolyte. It has, At least one of the first and second metal electrodes has a spacer knit mesh made of all-metal wire. Electrochemical cell.

14. In the electrochemical cell according to claim 3, The aforementioned electrolyte is an alkaline electrolyte, The aforementioned separator is OH － It is a transport separator, The aforementioned all-metal wire spacer knit mesh is The inner knit layer, Outer knit layer, A spacer knit layer is disposed between the inner knit layer and the outer knit layer, and connects the inner knit layer and the outer knit layer. It has, The inner knit layer functions as an electrode in direct contact with the separator. The electrolyte flows freely within the spacer knit layer. The outer knit layer functions as a bipolar plate. Electrochemical cell.

15. An electrochemical cell according to claim 14, wherein the outer knit layer is coated and brazed with metal powder and flux to form a gas-impermeable bipolar plate and a sealing layer.

16. An electrochemical cell having multiple cells, Electrolyte and First and second metal electrodes suspended in the electrolyte, A first separator is positioned adjacent to the first metal electrode in the electrolyte, A second separator is positioned adjacent to the second metal electrode in the electrolyte, A two-layer all-wire spacer knit mesh is disposed between the first separator and the second separator, The first outer knit layer, The second outer knit layer, An intermediate knit layer disposed between the first outer knit layer and the second outer knit layer, A first spacer knit layer is disposed between the first outer knit layer and the intermediate knit layer, and interconnects the first outer knit layer with the intermediate knit layer. A second spacer knit layer is disposed between the second outer knit layer and the intermediate knit layer, and interconnects the second outer knit layer with the intermediate knit layer. The two-layer all-wire spacer knit mesh has the following It has, The first outer knit layer is positioned adjacent to the first separator and functions as an electrode. The second outer knit layer is positioned adjacent to the second separator and functions as an electrode. The aforementioned intermediate knit layer is coated and brazed with metal powder and flux to form a gas-impermeable seal and a bipolar layer. An electrochemical cell with multiple cells.

17. In the electrochemical cell having a multicell according to claim 16, The aforementioned electrolyte is an alkaline electrolyte, The first and second separators are OH － It is a transport separator, The first and second outer knit layers are in direct contact with the first and second separators. The electrolyte flows freely within the first and second spacer knit layers. An electrochemical cell with multiple cells.

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