Methods for producing electrolytic solutions for energy accumulators

Abstract

The present invention generally pertains to the technological field of industrial chemistry and more specifically relates to a set of methods for the industrial production of electrolytes for fuel cells, cells, batteries, capacitors and accumulators or any energy storage components that supply electrical current produced chemically by means of ionisation. This electrolytic method will replace the salt bridges in chemical energy accumulators, which connect ions and electrons between the negative anode and positive cathode, improving performance and efficiency. In addition, it can be made from 100% organic materials, such as fruit or acetic acids and calcium carbonate, extracted from foods. A 100% organic and biodegradable battery can be produced.

Description

PROCESSES FOR OBTAINING ELECTROLYTIC SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY ACCUMULATORS FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] In general, the present invention belongs to the technological sector of industrial chemistry and refers, more specifically, to a set of processes for industrially obtaining electrolytes intended for fuel cells, cells, batteries and accumulators or any energy accumulating components that provide chemically produced electrical current through ionization.

[0002] Furthermore, its formation can be made from 100% organic materials such as fructose or acetic acid and limestone, extracted from food. This can result in a 100% organic and biodegradable battery. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Widely known in various sectors, electrolytic accumulators are mainly used as an auxiliary or primary energy source, being electrochemical devices capable of converting chemical energy into electrical energy and vice versa, storing electrical energy in the form of chemical energy.

[0004] Such processes occur through chemical reactions between substances specifically designed for this purpose, generally originating from a mass prepared using various chemical additives.

[0005] Over the past few decades, its application has been gaining ground in various fields, particularly in the space sector, where superalloys are used, and in microelectronics to supply microcapacitors.

[0006] That said, there are also some alternatives that represent the current state of the art and are described in patent documents. Some examples can be seen in the case of invention patent no. sCN 106046716 “PREPARATION OF PET OR PET-DERIVED COMPOSITE MATERIAL USED AS ORGANIC CATHODE MATERIAL FOR LITHIUM-SODIUM ION BATTERY, INVOLVES USING PET MATERIAL, DIVALENT METAL NITRATE, AND ORGANIC SOLVENT AS RAW MATERIALS,” which discloses a preparation of PET or PET-derived composite material that involves the addition of PET material and divalent metal nitrate to the organic solvent solution, continuous stirring, complete dissolution of the divalent metal nitrate, transfer of the mixed solution to a high-pressure stainless steel reaction kettle, filtration of the obtained product, washing after natural cooling by heating in a blast furnace, and vacuum drying. The organic solvent is N-methylpyrrolidone or N,N-dimethylformamide. The method provides PET or PET-derived composite material efficiently and economically without affecting the environment.

[0007] However, it should be noted that the above does not replace the salt bridge or porcelain with electrolytes, and does not provide a means by which such inputs can be transformed into batteries, fuel cells, capacitors and energy accumulators.

[0008] There is also document BR102017022420-1 “PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING LEAD ACID MASS AND ADDITIVES” which presents a production of lead acid and additives that involves mixing the first portion of lead monoxide in the range of 10 to 90% by weight in mass, as prepared in the range of 5 to 30% by weight, stirring for a period ranging from 10 to 600 seconds, In order to homogenize the matrix mass, adding carbon black matrix mass in the range of 0.001-5% by weight, organic additives are present in the range of 0.01-5% by weight, barium sulfate in the range of 0.01-7% by weight, synthetic polyester fiber or derivatives in the range of 0.005-4.5% by weight, niobium pentoxide in the range of 0.01-30% by weight, stir the mixture for a time ranging from 10-750 seconds, add the remaining lead monoxide that is not used to obtain the matrix mass, stir for a period of time of 20 to 1200 seconds. The acidic sulfuric acid solution is added in a concentration in the range of 1-10% by weight, stirred for a period of time in the range of 5-20 minutes. The mass is obtained at a temperature in the range of 25 to 50°C, density in the range of 3.0 to 6.0 kg / m3.

[0009] Likewise, it does not replace the salt bridge or porcelain with electrolytes, and does not provide a means by which such inputs can be transformed into batteries, fuel cells, capacitors and energy accumulators.

[0010] Therefore, based on all the drawbacks existing in the systems and equipment currently used, described above in the state of the art, it is clear that there is a gap in the creation of a set of processes for industrially obtaining electrolytes intended for fuel cells, cells, batteries and accumulators or any energy accumulating components that provide electrical current produced chemically through ionization. SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A salt bridge typically consists of a U-shaped glass tube filled with a concentrated aqueous solution of a highly soluble salt, usually potassium chloride (KCl(aq)). It is placed between two electrodes of a battery.

[0012] Salt bridges are used in electrochemical cells, batteries, fuel cells, and capacitors.

[0013] A salt bridge is a connection between the positive and negative electrodes of a battery. It can consist of a U-shaped glass tube filled with a concentrated aqueous solution of a highly soluble salt; it can be potassium chloride (KCl(aq)), ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3(aq)), sodium nitrate (NaNO3(aq)), or potassium nitrate (KNO3(aq)).

[0014] At the ends of this tube, cotton, glass wool or agar-agar (a gelatinous substance extracted from red algae that is used in food and as a culture medium in bacteriological laboratories) is placed.

[0015] Agar-agar, a substance extracted from red algae, used to produce food, culture medium and in salt bridges.

[0016] In a battery, there is an anode, or negative pole, from which electrons migrate toward the cathode, or positive pole. In this case, the anode is metallic zinc (from the plate—ZnO) and the cathode is copper cations (Cu2+). Over time, this electron transfer will cause both solutions to lose their electrical neutrality because there will be an excess of ions, making the solutions unstable and prematurely shutting down the battery.

[0017] To eliminate these excesses, a salt bridge or a porous porcelain plate is used, which allows the migration of ions from one solution to the other. This way, the ions remain in balance and the battery continues to function.

[0018] In the present invention, the saline bridge or porcelain is replaced by the aforementioned electrolyte, which can be transformed into batteries, fuel cells, capacitors and energy accumulators, depending on the material with which the electrolyte will be interacting.

[0019] Thus, with the aim of remedying the flaws in the current state of the art highlighted above, the present invention patent aims to propose a solution for industrial processes for obtaining electrolytes intended for fuel cells, cells, batteries and accumulators or any energy accumulating components that provide chemically produced electrical current through ionization.

[0020] One of the advantages of the electrolytic solution is that it replaces the salt bridges that connect ions and electrons between the negative anode and the positive cathode. This is more efficient, as contact occurs through adsolution, maintaining contact without causing a short circuit and allowing electrons to pass more easily.

[0021] Another advantage is the electrolytic solution, which consists of carbon with hydrogen and oxygen heteroatoms that interact more easily with molecules, unclogging pores to adsorb ions. This prevents the heating of accumulator cells, batteries, and fuel cell capacitors that utilize this system of interaction between the negative and positive poles, allowing the cells to charge without overheating and minimizing the risk of short circuits.

[0022] Another advantage of the electrolyte is that it can be made from 100% organic materials, such as fructose or acetic acid, and limestone extracted from food. This makes it possible to produce a 100% organic and biodegradable battery. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Regarding the CaO electrolyte process, one of the chemical processes used to form the CaO electrolyte is the calcination of limestone, a process in which calcium carbonate (CaCO3) decomposes into calcium oxide (CaO).

[0024] With residues containing a high percentage of calcium carbonate, which is dissolved in an acidic solution. A non-limiting example is acetic acid. This reaction occurs between calcium carbonate and acetic acid, resulting in water-soluble calcium and carbon dioxide.

[0025] In this way, activated carbon is added to the water-soluble calcium, which absorbs and adsorbs the chemical compound, either in solid, crushed, or aqueous form, transforming it into the electrolyte (CaO).

[0026] This coal is made up mostly of carbon, but with some heteroatoms in its structure, such as hydrogen and oxygen, which allows for a small interaction with polar molecules as well.

[0027] It is obtained from various organic precursors, rich in carbon, which must be physically or chemically activated. The activation step is essential for unclogging existing pores, which will make the material a strong adsorbent.

[0028] Regarding the alkaline electrolyte process, potassium permanganate (KMnO4) is added to the water, where dissolution occurs and, consequently, dissociation of the salt in water, releasing permanganate ions (MnO4-) thus forming solution 01, which is added to the activated carbon compound, transforming into the electrolyte KMnO4.

[0029] Likewise, in the alternative alkaline composition process, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is also added to the water, resulting in dissociation and the consequent release of sodium (Na+) and hydroxide (OH-) ions.

[0030] However, the presence of ions from sodium hydroxide causes it to release electrons into the medium, thus forming solution 2, which is added to the activated carbon compound, transforming it into the electrolyte (NaOH).

[0031] In order to transform the solutions into an environment full of free electrons, even more concentrated, solution 1 is mixed with solution 2, and the activated carbon composition.

[0032] Thus, each one receives an electron and transforms into electrolyte manganate ions (MnO4-2).

[0033] Through these solutions, calcium oxide, CaO, potassium permanganate KMnO4, this transfer of electrons will cause both solutions to transfer their neutrality and electrical equilibrium, because there will be an excess of ions, making the solutions unstable.

[0034] As known in the state of the art, calcium permanganate is a traditional oxidizing agent, formed by a calcium metal cation and two permanganate anions.

[0035] It is non-combustible, but accelerates the combustion of combustible materials.

[0036] Potassium permanganate is a powerful oxidant that decomposes when in contact with organic matter, releasing oxygen.

[0037] Below is the equilibrium equation for the solutions using the stoichiometry of the preferential reaction: KMnO4 + CaO = Ca(MnO4)2 + K2O - KMnO4 + CaO Ca(MnO4)2 + K2O

[0038] Next, in the tables below, the chemical specifications of the processes previously described will be presented:

[0039] In this way, activated carbon is added to the calcium permanganate and potassium oxide, which absorbs and adsorbs the chemical compound, whether in solid, crushed or aqueous form, transforming it into the Ca(MnO4) electrolyte, K2O electrolyte and, in equilibrium, the Ca(MnO4) + K2O electrolyte.

[0040] The porous activated carbon plate or powdered activated carbon is used on an insulating and ion-conducting surface with the solutions mentioned above that form the electrolytes that allow the migration of ions from one solution to another.

[0041] In this way, the ions remain in equilibrium and battery cells, cells, fuel cells and capacitors can be formed with Anode and cathode, formed by metals and / or oxide and / or hydroxide of some conductive metal, or cations of some conductive material, such as, for example: anode; metallic zinc plate, cathode; copper or graphite cations.

[0042] The process described details one of the possible ways of executing the replacement of salt bridges, so that the process steps are not restrictive, and other steps or compounds can be used to form electrolytic solutions for the manufacture of energy accumulators.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. PROCESS FOR OBTAINING ELECTROLYTIC SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY ACCUMULATORS BY ELECTROLYTE which comprises the formation of the CaO electrolyte by calcination of limestone in which the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) decomposes into calcium oxide (CaO) characterized by being carried out in a residue concentrated in calcium carbonate, in which the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is dissolved in an acidic solution, with the reaction between the calcium carbonate and the acetic acid, resulting in water-soluble calcium and carbon dioxide; activated carbon is added to the water-soluble calcium in order to absorb and adsorb the chemical compound, either in solid, crushed or aqueous form, resulting in the electrolyte (CaO).

2. PROCESS FOR OBTAINING ELECTROLYTIC SOLUTIONS FOR ELECTROLYTE ENERGY ACCUMULATORS, according to claim 1, characterized in that the acidic solution is acetic acid or fructose acid.

3. PROCESS FOR OBTAINING ELECTROLYTIC SOLUTIONS FOR ELECTROLYTE ENERGY ACCUMULATORS, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrolytic solution allows replacing the salt bridges that connect ions and electrons between the negative pole anode and the positive pole cathode.

4. PROCESS FOR OBTAINING ELECTROLYTIC SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY ACCUMULATORS, according to claim 1, and further characterized by the coal being constituted mainly of carbon, with hydrogen and oxygen heteroatoms in its structure for interaction with polar molecules, equipped with an activation stage to unclog existing pores for adsorbent purposes.

5. PROCESS FOR OBTAINING ELECTROLYTIC SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY ACCUMULATORS USING ALKALINE ELECTROLYTES, which comprises potassium permanganate (KMnO4) in water, characterized by the dissolution and dissociation of the salt in water, with the release of permanganate ions (MnO4-) forming said solution 1 added to said activated carbon compound resulting in the electrolyte KMnO4.

6. PROCESS FOR OBTAINING ELECTROLYTIC SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY ACCUMULATORS USING ALKALINE ELECTROLYTES, according to claim 4, characterized in that sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is added to the water, resulting in dissociation and consequent release of sodium (Na+) and hydroxide (OH-) ions.

7. PROCESS FOR OBTAINING ELECTROLYTIC SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY ACCUMULATORS USING ALKALINE ELECTROLYTES, according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the presence of ions from sodium hydroxide promotes the release of electrons into the medium, resulting in said solution 2 added to the activated carbon compound resulting in the electrolyte (NaOH).

8. PROCESS FOR OBTAINING ELECTROLYTIC SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY ACCUMULATORS USING ALKALINE ELECTROLYTES, according to claims 4 and 6, characterized in that the mixture of solution 1 with solution 2 and the activated carbon composition results in electrolyte manganate ions (MnO4-2). PROCESS FOR OBTAINING ELECTROLYTIC SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY ACCUMULATORS, according to claim 4, characterized in that calcium permanganate and potassium oxide are added to the activated carbon, either in solid, crushed or aqueous form, resulting in the Ca(MnO4) Electrolyte, K2O Electrolyte and Ca(MnO4) + K2O Electrolyte.

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