Electrochemical Nanofluid or Particle Suspension Energy Conversion and Storage Device

Abstract

An electro-chemical energy conversion and storage device includes an enclosure, a first electrode operatively connected to the enclosure, a second electrode operatively connected to the enclosure, a nanofluid or particle suspension in the enclosure, a heat transfer unit, and a circulation system for circulating the nanofluid or particle suspension to the heat transfer unit. The nanofluid includes nanoparticles plus a dielectric or ionic fluid. The particle suspension includes particles plus a dielectric or ionic fluid. A wide range of nanoparticles or particles can be used. For example the following nanoparticles or particles can be used: metal and metal alloy particles for anodic dissolution and thermal transport; hydrides as source of hydrogen ions; lithium and lithium alloys; intercalated graphite and carbon aerogel as Li source (anodic material); intercalated transition metal oxide as Li sink (cathodic material); and semiconductors for photovoltaic conversion in photo-electrochemical or hybrid electrochemical cell.

1 . An electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus, comprising:
 an enclosure,   a first electrode operatively connected to said enclosure,   a second electrode operatively connected to said enclosure,   a nanofluid or particle suspension in said enclosure,   a heat transfer unit, and   a circulation system for circulating said nanofluid or particle suspension to said heat transfer unit.   
     
     
         2 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said nanofluid or particle suspension includes nanoparticles and a dielectric or ionic fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said nanofluid or particle suspension includes particles and a dielectric or ionic fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said nanoparticles are hydrides as a source of hydrogen ions. 
     
     
         5 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said nanoparticles are lithium or lithium alloys. 
     
     
         6 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said nanoparticles are intercalated graphite or carbon aerogel as a Li source. 
     
     
         7 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said nanoparticles are intercalated transition metal oxide as a Li source. 
     
     
         8 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said circulation system includes a pump. 
     
     
         9 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said circulation system includes an agitator. 
     
     
         10 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said circulation system includes a nanoparticle supply and a fluid supply. 
     
     
         11 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said circulation system includes a vessel having a rounded bottom a nanoparticle supply, a fluid supply, and an agitator. 
     
     
         12 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 1  including a second enclosure, a pair of electrodes operatively connected to said second enclosure, a second nanofluid or particle suspension in said second enclosure, a second heat transfer unit, and a second circulation system for circulating said second nanofluid or particle suspension to said second heat transfer unit. 
     
     
         13 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 1  including an oxygen selective membrane and wherein said first electrode is an oxygen cathode 
     
     
         14 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 1  including a particle supply operatively connected to said enclosure that introduces nanoparticles or particles into said enclosure and a fluid supply operatively connected to said enclosure that introduces a dielectric fluid or ionic fluid into said enclosure. 
     
     
         15 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 15  including an agitator that mixes said nanoparticles or particles and said dielectric fluid or ionic fluid in said enclosure. 
     
     
         16 . An electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus, comprising:
 an enclosure,   a first electrode operatively connected to said enclosure,   a second electrode operatively connected to said enclosure,   a nanofluid in said enclosure,   a heat transfer unit, and   a circulation system for circulating said nanofluid to said heat transfer unit.   
     
     
         17 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said nanofluid includes nanoparticles and a dielectric or ionic fluid. 
     
     
         18 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said nanoparticles are hydrides as a source of hydrogen ions. 
     
     
         19 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said nanoparticles are lithium or lithium alloys. 
     
     
         20 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said nanoparticles are intercalated graphite or carbon aerogel as a Li source. 
     
     
         21 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said nanoparticles are intercalated transition metal oxide as a Li source. 
     
     
         22 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said circulation system includes a pump. 
     
     
         23 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said circulation system includes an agitator. 
     
     
         24 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said circulation system includes a nanoparticle supply and a fluid supply. 
     
     
         25 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said circulation system includes a vessel having a rounded bottom a nanoparticle supply, a fluid supply, and an agitator. 
     
     
         26 . An electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus, comprising:
 an enclosure,   a first electrode operatively connected to said enclosure,   a second electrode operatively connected to said enclosure,   a particle suspension in said enclosure,   heat transfer unit, and   a circulation system for circulating said particle suspension to said heat transfer unit.   
     
     
         27 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 26  wherein said particle suspension includes particles and a dielectric or ionic fluid. 
     
     
         28 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 27  wherein said particles are hydrides as a source of hydrogen ions. 
     
     
         29 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 27  wherein said particles are lithium or lithium alloys. 
     
     
         30 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 27  wherein said particles are intercalated graphite or carbon aerogel as a Li source. 
     
     
         31 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 27  wherein said particles are intercalated transition metal oxide as a Li source. 
     
     
         32 . The electro-chemical energy conversion and storage apparatus of  claim 26  wherein said circulation system includes a particle supply and a fluid supply.