公开(公告)号：US20240141528A1

公开(公告)日：2024-05-02

申请号：US18376216

申请日：2023-10-03

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Adam C. Powell ,  David Dussault ,  Matthew Earlam ,  Aaron Tajima ,  Connor Raymes

IPC: C25C3/04 ,  C22B7/00 ,  C22B9/02 ,  C22B26/22 ,  C25C3/34

CPC classification number: C25C3/04 ,  C22B7/004 ,  C22B9/02 ,  C22B26/22 ,  C25C3/34

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for efficient metal distillation, and for related primary product process. Vertically stacked and gravity-driven evaporators and condensers are employed to distill metals, such metals having different volatilities. A multiple-effect thermal system of magnesium and other volatile metals is used to efficiently distill and separate metals from multiple metal alloys.

公开(公告)号：US11955618B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-09

申请号：US17696142

申请日：2022-03-16

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Adam C. Powell ,  Hongyi Sun ,  Mahya Shahabi ,  Yu Zhong

IPC: H01M12/06 ,  H01M4/38 ,  H01M4/90 ,  H01M6/50 ,  H01M8/04701 ,  H01M8/04746 ,  H01M12/08 ,  H01M50/431 ,  H01M4/02 ,  H01M4/86

CPC classification number: H01M12/06 ,  H01M4/38 ,  H01M4/9041 ,  H01M4/905 ,  H01M6/5022 ,  H01M6/5038 ,  H01M8/04701 ,  H01M8/04753 ,  H01M12/08 ,  H01M50/431 ,  H01M2004/027 ,  H01M2004/8689 ,  H01M2300/0048 ,  H01M2300/0054 ,  H01M2300/0057

Abstract: A metal-air battery and methods for generating electricity in a metal-air battery are described herein. The battery and the method includes heating an anhydrous salt to obtain a molten salt electrolyte; contacting the molten salt electrolyte to at least one cathode communicating with air; reducing air at the cathode to obtain oxygen ions for diffusing through the molten salt electrolyte; oxidizing at least one metal anode by the oxygen ions in the electrolyte thereby generating electricity and forming a metal anode oxide; and cooling at least one section of the metal-air battery for precipitating the metal anode oxide.

公开(公告)号：US20220302527A1

公开(公告)日：2022-09-22

申请号：US17696142

申请日：2022-03-16

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Adam C. Powell ,  Hongyi Sun ,  Mahya Shahabi ,  Yu Zhong

IPC: H01M12/06 ,  H01M50/431 ,  H01M4/38 ,  H01M4/90

Abstract: A metal-air battery and methods for generating electricity in a metal-air battery are described herein. The battery and the method includes heating an anhydrous salt to obtain a molten salt electrolyte; contacting the molten salt electrolyte to at least one cathode communicating with air; reducing air at the cathode to obtain oxygen ions for diffusing through the molten salt electrolyte; oxidizing at least one metal anode by the oxygen ions in the electrolyte thereby generating electricity and forming a metal anode oxide; and cooling at least one section of the metal-air battery for precipitating the metal anode oxide.

公开(公告)号：US11862822B2

公开(公告)日：2024-01-02

申请号：US17586165

申请日：2022-01-27

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Adam C. Powell ,  Boyd Davis ,  Uday Bhanu Pal ,  Yu Zhong ,  Christian Faria ,  Naoki Ono ,  Takeshi Inozume ,  Chiaki Endo ,  Tomoya Miyauchi

IPC: H01M8/0234 ,  H01M8/14 ,  H01M4/96

CPC classification number: H01M8/0234 ,  H01M4/96 ,  H01M8/14

Abstract: Devices and methods for generating electricity in a direct carbon fuel cell are provided herein. The method includes heating and melting an alloy to obtain a liquid alloy anode; circulating the liquid alloy anode through a porous ceramic cathode, the cathode being a tubular structure and in communication with oxygen; reducing the oxygen at the porous cathode to obtain oxygen ions for diffusing through an electrolyte to the liquid alloy anode; and oxidizing the oxygen ions at the liquid alloy anode thereby generating electricity. The direct carbon fuel cells have high electronic conductivity, high carbon solubility with fast carbon diffusion, lower viscosity and eutectic temperatures, and rapid fuel dissolution kinetics.

公开(公告)号：US20220238893A1

公开(公告)日：2022-07-28

申请号：US17586165

申请日：2022-01-27

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Adam C. Powell ,  Boyd Davis ,  Uday Bhanu Pal ,  Yu Zhong ,  Christian Faria ,  Naoki Ono ,  Takeshi Inozume ,  Chiaki Endo ,  Tomoya Miyauchi

IPC: H01M8/0234 ,  H01M4/96 ,  H01M8/14

Abstract: Devices and methods for generating electricity in a direct carbon fuel cell are provided herein. The method includes heating and melting an alloy to obtain a liquid alloy anode; circulating the liquid alloy anode through a porous ceramic cathode, the cathode being a tubular structure and in communication with oxygen; reducing the oxygen at the porous cathode to obtain oxygen ions for diffusing through an electrolyte to the liquid alloy anode; and oxidizing the oxygen ions at the liquid alloy anode thereby generating electricity. The direct carbon fuel cells have high electronic conductivity, high carbon solubility with fast carbon diffusion, lower viscosity and eutectic temperatures, and rapid fuel dissolution kinetics.