Metal Accumulation Inhibiting And Performance Enhancing Supplement And A System For Delivering The Supplement

Abstract

The invention relates to a metal accumulation inhibiting and performance enhancing isolated or synthesized supplement for use in or in association with rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cells, and a system for delivering the supplement including articles of plastic, articles containing plastic, articles similar to plastic, plastic containers, apparatus, porous electrodes, liquids and electrolytes, in particular, articles, apparatus, electrodes, insolating sheets, liquids and electrolytes associated with rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cells incorporating one or more supplements. An effective amount of the supplement typically exhibits foaming of an electrolyte, providing a visual indicator of activity in attenuating metal deposition on, and thereby reducing metal accumulation on, various surfaces in the rechargeable electrochemical storage cell.

1 . A porous insulating sheet adapted to be installed between and to provide separation between a pair of electrodes of a rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell, the porous insulating sheet comprising:
 a polymeric insulating sheet-forming material formed into the porous insulating sheet, the porous insulating sheet having a quantity of a performance enhancing isolated or synthesized supplement incorporated therewith, the porous insulating sheet adapted to be disposed in an acidic electrolyte between a positive electrode and a negative electrode engaged by an electric potential sufficient to provide an electric current therebetween, and wherein the quantity of the performance enhancing supplement incorporated in the porous insulating sheet is an amount sufficient to effect at least one performance enhancement of the rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell selected from the group consisting of a reduction of metal transfer within the treated cell, a reduction of gas evolution from the treated cell, a reduction in water consumption by the treated cell, an increase in on-charge potential of the treated cell, a reduction in corrosion of the positive electrode of the treated cell, a reduction in self-discharge of the treated cell, and combinations thereof, when compared to performance of a porous insulating sheet that does not incorporate the performance enhancing isolated or synthesized supplement.   
     
     
         2 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  disposed in an acidic electrolyte, the acidic electrolyte containing a positive electrode and a negative electrode, the positive electrode and the negative electrode subjected to a substantially constant electric current sufficient to provide an electric potential therebetween, the porous insulating sheet effects a higher electric potential between the positive electrode and the negative electrode when compared to a porous insulating sheet disposed in the acidic electrolyte that does not have the performance enhancing isolated or synthesized supplement incorporated therein. 
     
     
         3 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  disposed in an acidic electrolyte, the acidic electrolyte containing a positive electrode and a negative electrode, the positive electrode and the negative electrode subjected to an electric potential sufficient to provide an electric current therebetween, the porous insulating sheet effects less metal accumulation on the negative electrode when compared to a porous insulating sheet disposed in the acidic electrolyte that does not have the performance enhancing isolated or synthesized supplement incorporated therein. 
     
     
         4 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  disposed in an acidic electrolyte, the acidic electrolyte being at a temperature of between 10 and 100 degrees C. and under an atmospheric pressure of between 80 to 105 kPa, the porous insulating sheet being disposed in the acidic electrolyte for from 1 to 7 days, foaming occurring upon shaking together of the acidic electrolyte with the porous insulating sheet disposed therein, foaming persisting for more than 5 seconds indicating that an effective amount of the supplement is incorporated in the porous insulating sheet. 
     
     
         5 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  wherein an equalizing-strength constant electric current is applied between the electrodes sufficient to generate a potential therebetween, the porous insulation sheet effects an increase in potential when compared to the unsupplemented porous insulation sheet. 
     
     
         6 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  wherein the quantity of the performance enhancing supplement incorporated with the polymeric material is sufficient to reduce metal transfer between the electrodes. 
     
     
         7 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  wherein the performance enhancing supplement has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) number of from greater than 2. 
     
     
         8 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  further comprising a natural cis-polyisoprene thermoset elastomer obtained from  Hevea brasiliensis  trees. 
     
     
         9 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), phenolic resins, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 4  wherein the polyolefin comprises an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. 
     
     
         11 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  wherein the performance enhancing supplement is selected from the group consisting of a phospholipid, a fatty alcohol ethoxylate, a fatty alcohol alkoxylate, an alkyl glycerol phosphate choline, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  wherein the performance enhancing supplement is a phospholipid having choline as a head group with glycerophosphoric acid. 
     
     
         13 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  wherein the performance enhancing supplement has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) number of from 5 to 16. 
     
     
         14 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  wherein the performance enhancing supplement is a phospholipid having a choline as a head group with glycerophosphoric acid, and having at least one saturated fatty acid and at least one unsaturated fatty acid. 
     
     
         15 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  wherein the performance enhancing supplement is a C8-18 fatty alcohol having from six to thirty ethylene oxides. 
     
     
         16 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  wherein the performance enhancing supplements is a C8-10 fatty alcohol having six ethylene oxides. 
     
     
         17 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  wherein the performance enhancing supplements is a C16-18 fatty alcohol having thirty ethylene oxides. 
     
     
         18 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  wherein the polymeric material is primarily plastic. 
     
     
         19 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 1  wherein the performance enhancing supplement is combined with a carrier. 
     
     
         20 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 19  wherein the carrier is a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), phenolic resins, and combinations thereof, the selected polymer being compatible with the polymeric material. 
     
     
         21 . A method for making a supplemented porous insulating sheet that provides separation between electrodes in a rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell comprising:
 providing a polymeric insulating sheet-forming material;   providing a quantity of a performance enhancing isolated or synthesized supplement;   combining the performance enhancing isolated or synthesized supplement with the polymeric insulating sheet-forming material;   processing the combination to form a supplemented porous insulating sheet;   wherein the performance enhancing isolated or synthesized supplement is present in the supplemented porous insulating sheet in an amount sufficient to effect at least one performance enhancement of the rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell selected from the group consisting of a reduction of metal transfer within the treated cell, a reduction of gas evolution from the treated cell, a reduction in water consumption by the treated cell, an increase in on-charge potential of the treated cell, a reduction in corrosion of the positive electrode of the treated cell, a reduction in self-discharge of the treated cell, and combinations thereof, when compared to performance of a porous insulating sheet that does not incorporate the performance enhancing isolated or synthesized supplement.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising:
 combining the performance enhancing supplement with a carrier, prior to combining the performance enhancing supplement with the polymeric material. 
 
     
     
         23 . A porous insulating sheet adapted to be installed between and to provide separation between a pair of electrodes of a rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell, the porous insulating sheet comprising:
 a polymeric material formed into the porous insulating sheet having a quantity of a performance enhancing isolated or synthesized supplement incorporated therewith, the porous insulating sheet adapted to be disposed in an acidic electrolyte between a positive electrode and a negative electrode engaged by an electric potential sufficient to provide an electric current therebetween, and the quantity of the performance enhancing supplement incorporated in the porous insulating sheet is an amount sufficient to effect less metal accumulation on the negative electrode when compared to a porous insulating sheet that does not incorporate the performance enhancing isolated or synthesized supplement.   
     
     
         24 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 23  disposed in an acidic electrolyte, the acidic electrolyte containing a positive electrode and a negative electrode, the positive electrode and the negative electrode subjected to a substantially constant electric current sufficient to provide an electric potential therebetween, the porous insulating sheet effects a higher electric potential between the positive electrode and the negative electrode when compared to a porous insulating sheet disposed in the acidic electrolyte that does not have the performance enhancing isolated or synthesized supplement incorporated therein. 
     
     
         25 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 23  disposed in an acidic electrolyte, the acidic electrolyte containing a positive electrode and a negative electrode, the positive electrode and the negative electrode subjected to an electric potential sufficient to provide an electric current therebetween, the quantity of the performance enhancing supplement incorporated in the porous insulating sheet being an amount sufficient to produce foaming when the porous insulating sheet is disposed in the acidic electrolyte, the electrolyte being at a temperature between 10 and 100 degrees C., and under an atmospheric pressure of 80-105 kPa, the porous insulating sheet being disposed in the electrolyte for from 1 to 7 days, the foaming occurring upon shaking together of the electrolyte with the porous insulating sheet disposed therein, visual foaming indicating that an effective amount of the supplement is incorporated in the porous insulating sheet. 
     
     
         26 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 23  wherein the metal inhibiting isolated or synthesized supplement is selected from the group consisting of a phospholipid, a fatty alcohol ethoxylate, a fatty alcohol alkoxylate, an alkyl glycerophosphate choline, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 23  wherein the metal inhibiting isolated or synthesized supplement is a phospholipid having choline as a head group with glycerophosphoric acid. 
     
     
         28 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 23  wherein the metal inhibiting isolated or synthesized supplement is a phospholipid having a choline as a head group with glycerophosphoric acid, and having at least one saturated fatty acid and at least one unsaturated fatty acid. 
     
     
         29 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 23  wherein the metal inhibiting isolated or synthesized supplement is a C8-18 fatty alcohol having from six to thirty ethylene oxides. 
     
     
         30 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 23  wherein the metal inhibiting isolated or synthesized supplements is a C8-10 fatty alcohol having six ethylene oxides. 
     
     
         31 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 23  wherein the metal inhibiting isolated or synthesized supplements is a C16-18 fatty alcohol having thirty ethylene oxides. 
     
     
         32 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 23  wherein the polymeric material is primarily plastic. 
     
     
         33 . The porous insulating sheet of  claim 23  wherein the metal inhibiting isolated or synthesized supplement is combined with a carrier. 
     
     
         34 . A supplemented porous insulating sheet for installation between electrodes of a rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell containing an acidic electrolyte, the supplemented porous insulating sheet made from a polymeric material, the supplemented porous insulating sheet having a quantity of a metal inhibiting isolated or synthesized supplement incorporated therewith, the supplemented porous insulating sheet adapted to be disposed in the acidic electrolyte between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, the quantity of the supplement incorporated in the supplemented porous insulating sheet being an amount sufficient to effect at least one performance enhancement of the rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell selected from the group consisting of a reduction of metal transfer within the treated cell, a reduction of gas evolution from the treated cell, a reduction in water consumption by the treated cell, an increase in on-charge potential of the treated cell, a reduction in corrosion of the positive electrode of the treated cell, a reduction in self-discharge of the treated cell, and combinations thereof, when compared to performance of a porous insulating sheet that does not incorporate the performance enhancing isolated or synthesized supplement. 
     
     
         35 . The supplemented porous insulating sheet of  claim 34  wherein an equalizing-strength constant electric current is applied between the electrodes sufficient to generate a potential therebetween, the supplemented porous insulation sheet effects an increase in potential when compared to an unsupplemented porous insulation sheet. 
     
     
         36 . The supplemented porous insulating sheet of  claim 34  wherein the quantity of the performance enhancing supplement incorporated with the polymeric material is sufficient to reduce metal transfer between the electrodes. 
     
     
         37 . The supplemented porous insulating sheet of  claim 34  further comprising a natural cis-polyisoprene thermoset elastomer obtained from  Hevea brasiliensis  trees. 
     
     
         38 . The supplemented porous insulating sheet of  claim 34  wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), phenolic resins, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The supplemented porous insulating sheet of  claim 34  wherein the performance enhancing supplement is selected from the group consisting of a phospholipid, a fatty alcohol ethoxylate, a fatty alcohol alkoxylate, an alkyl glycerol phosphate choline, a phospholipid having choline as a head group with glycerophosphoric acid, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         40 . The supplemented porous insulating sheet of  claim 34  wherein the supplement is encapsulated by a carrier which is a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), phenolic resins, and combinations thereof, the selected polymer being compatible with the polymeric material. 
     
     
         41 . A porous insulating sheet adapted to be installed between and to provide separation between a pair of electrodes of a rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell, the porous insulating sheet comprising:
 a polymeric insulating sheet-forming material formed into the porous insulating sheet;   a quantity of a performance enhancing supplement incorporated with the porous insulating sheet;   the performance enhancing supplement adapted to provide performance enhancement of the rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell;   wherein the performance enhancing supplement is selected from the group consisting of a phospholipid; a phospholipid having choline as a head group with glycerophosphoric acid; a fatty alcohol having eight or more carbons; a fatty alcohol having eight or more carbons with ethylene oxide; a fatty alcohol with eight or more carbons with ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; a fatty alcohol ethoxylate; a fatty alcohol alkoxylate; a fatty alcohol having six or more ethylene oxides; a C8-18 fatty alcohol having six to thirty ethylene oxides; a C16-18 fatty alcohol having thirty ethylene oxides; an ingredient of a latex obtained from a  Hevea brasiliensis  tree other than a polyisoprene ingredient; alkyl amphoterics, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         42 . A rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell including at least one porous insulating sheet according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         43 . A rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell including at least one porous insulating sheet according to  claim 23 . 
     
     
         44 . A rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell including at least one porous insulating sheet according to  claim 34 . 
     
     
         45 . A rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell including at least one porous insulating sheet according to  claim 41 .