Methane-Oxygen Battery Gas Store for Passive State-of-Charge Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rechargeable batteries and reversible fuel cells face challenges in accurately determining the state of charge (SOC) due to the reliance on electrochemical measurements that are unreliable in systems with decoupled energy and power, leading to inefficiencies and high capital costs from balance-of-plant components.
Innovation Solution
A methane-oxygen battery system with a closed, passive flow design using compartments for storing gases and movable barriers to determine SOC based on barrier positions or gas masses, eliminating the need for active conveyance components and enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrochemical measurements are used to determine state of charge, then measurement capability is provided, but reliability is poor due to decoupled energy and power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces unreliable electrochemical measurements with a mechanical measurement system. Movable barriers physically track the volume of electrochemical products in separate compartments, converting an electrochemical state determination problem into a mechanical position measurement problem. The barriers' positions directly indicate the amount of stored energy through their displacement, providing reliable SOC determination independent of electrochemical measurement issues.
2Ease of operation
If active conveyance components are used to transport gases, then gas transport capability is provided, but device complexity and capital costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the electrochemical reactions themselves to drive gas transport. The production of gases (oxygen at positive electrode, hydrogen at negative electrode) creates pressure differentials that automatically move gases through the system without external pumps or compressors. The electrochemical process serves its own transport needs, eliminating the need for separate active conveyance components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic pressure differentials generated by electrochemical gas production to drive fluid flow. Gases are transported through channels and compartments based on pressure gradients created during charge and discharge cycles, replacing mechanical pumping systems with passive pneumatic transport.
3Ease of operation
If active conveyance components are used to transport gases, then gas transport capability is provided, but parasitic power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochemical reactions generate the energy required for gas transport themselves. The gases produced during electrochemical conversion create the driving force for their own movement through the system, eliminating the need for external energy input for transport operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by coupling the electrochemical conversion process directly with gas transport. The same electrochemical reactions that produce energy also generate the pressure differentials needed for gas movement, ensuring that every action serves multiple functions without interruption or energy loss.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves higher efficiency and lower costs by estimating energy remaining through passive gas flow and compartment volume changes, allowing for accurate SOC determination without parasitic power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochemical cell (190) comprising a positive electrode (110), a negative electrode (130), and an electrolyte (120) between the positive electrode (110) and the negative electrode (130)
Implementation Method 2
a first movable barrier (160a) between the first compartment (152) and the second compartment (154), and a second movable barrier (160b) between the second compartment (154) and the third compartment (156)
Data Source
AI summary
A methane-oxygen battery system including an electrochemical cell including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte; a reactor in fluid communication with the negative electrode; a fuel gauge; and a gas store including a first compartment in fluid communication with the positive electrode and configured to store oxygen, a second compartment in fluid communication with the negative electrode and configured to store carbon dioxide and water, a third compartment in fluid communication with the negative electrode or the reactor and configured to store methane, a first barrier between the first compartment and the second compartment, and a second barrier between the second compartment and the third compartment. The gas store and the electrochemical cell form a closed system. The fuel gauge is configured to determine a state of charge based on a position of at least one of the first barrier or the second barrier.