High differential pressure electrochemical cell

Abstract

An electrochemical cell capable of operating in pressure differentials exceeding about 2,000 psi, using a porous electrode. The porous electrode comprises a catalyst adsorbed on or in a porous support that is disposed in intimate contact and fluid communication with the electrolyte membrane.

1 . A method for producing electrical power, comprising: 
 producing first electricity;    introducing at least a portion of said first electricity to an electrochemical cell having an oxygen electrode, a hydrogen electrode, an electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said oxygen electrode comprising an electrically conductive, sintered porous flow field comprising an infiltrated catalyst;    introducing water to said oxygen electrode;    dissociating the water to form hydrogen ions and oxygen;    migrating said hydrogen ions through said electrolyte membrane to said hydrogen electrode;    producing hydrogen gas at said hydrogen electrode; and    using said hydrogen gas to produce additional electricity when said first electricity is not available or is insufficient.    
   
   
       2 . A method for producing electrical power as in  claim 1 , wherein said porous support has a porosity of about 40% to about 70% by volume.  
   
   
       3 . A method for producing electrical power as in  claim 1 , wherein said porous flow field is nickel, cobalt, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, niobium, tungsten, carbon, iron and mixtures and alloys thereof.  
   
   
       4 . A method for producing electrical power as in  claim 1 , wherein said membrane has a pressure differential from the hydrogen electrode to the oxygen electrode of about 2,000 psi or greater.  
   
   
       5 . A method for producing electrical power as in  claim 1 , wherein said first electricity is produced using hydroelectric power, solar energy, wind, grid power, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       6 . A method for producing electrical power as in  claim 5 , wherein said first electricity is produced using at least one photovoltaic cell exposed to solar energy, and said additional electricity is produced at least when said photovoltaic cell is not exposed to solar energy.  
   
   
       7 . A method for producing electrical power as in  claim 6 , wherein said first electricity is produced using a windmill.  
   
   
       8 . A method for producing electrical power as in  claim 6 , wherein said first electricity is produced using water and turbines.  
   
   
       9 . A method for producing electrical power as in  claim 1 , further comprising storing said hydrogen.  
   
   
       10 . A method for producing electrical power as in  claim 9 , wherein said hydrogen is stored in liquid form, in a high pressure storage tank as a metal hydride, in a carbon based storage, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       11 . A method for producing electrical power as in  claim 10 , wherein said carbon based storage comprises particulate, nanofibers, nanotubes, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       12 . A method for producing electrical power as in  claim 11 , wherein a pressure of said oxygen is higher than a pressure of said hydrogen gas.  
   
   
       13 . A method for producing electrical power as in  claim 1 , further comprising producing electricity, wherein producing said electricity comprises: 
 introducing said hydrogen to a fuel cell hydrogen electrode;    producing hydrogen ions and electrons;    introducing a second oxygen to said fuel cell oxygen electrode; and    reacting said hydrogen ions and said second oxygen to produce product water.    
   
   
       14 . A method for producing electrical power as in  claim 13 , wherein said electricity is in electrical communication with a power system of a vehicle.  
   
   
       15 . A method for producing electrical power as in  claim 13 , further comprising introducing said product water to said oxygen electrode.  
   
   
       16 . A method for producing electrical power as in  claim 1 , wherein said porous flow field has a mean pore size of about 2 microns to about 13 microns.  
   
   
       17 . A method for producing electrical power as in  claim 1 , wherein said electrolyte membrane has a pressure differential from the hydrogen electrode to the oxygen electrode of about 2,000 psi or greater.  
   
   
       18 . A method for producing electrical power in  claim 17 , wherein said pressure differential from is about 4,000 psi or greater.  
   
   
       19 . A method for producing electrical power, comprising: 
 introducing a first electricity to an electrochemical cell having an oxygen electrode, a hydrogen electrode, an electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween, said oxygen electrode comprising an electrically conductive, sintered, porous support comprising an infiltrated catalyst;    introducing water to said oxygen electrode;    dissociating the water to form hydrogen ions and electrolysis oxygen;    migrating said hydrogen ions through said electrolyte membrane to said hydrogen electrode;    producing hydrogen gas at said hydrogen electrode; and    when said first electricity is not available or is below a selected level, 
 introducing said hydrogen to a fuel cell hydrogen electrode;  
 producing fuel cell hydrogen ions and electrons;  
 introducing fuel cell oxygen to said fuel cell oxygen electrode; and  
 reacting said hydrogen ions and said second oxygen to produce product water.  
   
   
   
       20 . A method for producing electrical power in  claim 19 , wherein at least a portion of said fuel cell oxygen is electrolysis oxygen.