Water recapture/recycle system in electrochemical cells

A system for managing water content in one or more electrochemical cells, each comprising a plurality of electrodes and a liquid ionically conductive medium, includes a first gas-phase conduit for receiving humid gas-phase associated with the electrochemical cell. The system also includes a desiccator unit communicated to the first air conduit and configured for extracting water from the humid gas-phase. The system additionally includes a heater for selectively heating the desiccant to selectively release extracted water from the desiccator unit. The system further includes a return conduit communicating the desiccator unit to the ionically conductive medium for receiving extracted water from the desiccator unit, and directing the extracted water to the ionically conductive medium. Other associated systems and methods are also disclosed.

FIELD

The present invention is generally related to electrochemical cells, and more particularly to electrochemical cells utilizing an ionically conductive medium.

BACKGROUND

Many types of electrochemical cells utilize a liquid ionically conductive medium to support electrochemical reactions within the cell. Electrochemical cells may utilize an air breathing oxidant electrode coupled to a fuel electrode, comprising any suitable fuel. For example, a metal-air electrochemical cell system may comprise a plurality of cells, each having a fuel electrode serving as an anode at which metal fuel is oxidized, and an air breathing oxidant reduction electrode at which oxygen from ambient air is reduced. The liquid ionically conductive medium in such cells may communicate the oxidized/reduced ions between the electrodes.

In various liquid ionically conductive mediums, evaporation, electrolysis (e.g. decomposing water on recharge) or other loss of moisture from the ionically conductive medium, may be detrimental to the electrochemical cell. For example, salting of the ionically conductive medium may clog an oxidant electrode of the electrochemical cell, reducing its performance or in extreme cases, result in loss of functionality. Such salting or other failures may occur, for example, where an air-side of the oxidant electrode, or a portion thereof, is excessively dry. Additionally, a decrease in water content in the ionically conductive medium may decrease the medium's solvating capacity, i.e., its ability to dissolve solutes, or increase the percentage concentration of solutes in the medium.

Accordingly, the disclosure in the present application endeavors to facilitate maintaining desired water content in the electrochemical cell, in addition to controlling humidity associated with an air breathing oxidant electrode thereof.

While the foremost example of the present disclosure involves electrochemical cells comprising air-breathing electrodes, this is not intended to be limiting in any way. The invention may be employed in any electrochemical cell comprising a liquid ionically conductive medium. For example, aqueous flooded batteries (e.g. lead-acid, Ni—Cd) in a wide range of capacities and sizes are known in the art. Often these are vented cells comprising a vent or low pressure release valve to release oxygen and hydrogen gases formed upon decomposition of water due to electrolysis. The electrolyte lost (e.g. by evaporation and/or electrolysis) must be periodically replaced through routine maintenance. Various means of replenishing the cells with water are known in the art including manual addition, high pressure injection manual addition and single point battery watering systems. Single point battery watering systems comprise a liquid water reservoir or tank connected via tubing to a water valve assembly associated with each electrochemical cell. Such battery watering systems are well-known in the art, for example U.S. Pat. Nos. or Application Publication Nos. 4,386,141; 5,284,176; 5,453,334; 6,164,309; 6,786,226; 7,040,431 7,556,056; 2006/0281000 and 2011/0236730. Each valve assembly may comprise a mechanical level-control valve, commonly float valves, to shut off the flow of water once a predetermined electrolyte level is reached. Often, these mechanical valves may fail or stick and liquid water flows unimpeded. This is especially problematic for aqueous alkaline cells (e.g. Ni—Cd) because dried salt often clogs the valves. To avoid this, development of valves operating via high pressure bursts are known in the art. However, such high-pressure systems typically require both power and long-term reliability of a pump.

Accordingly, the disclosure in the present application provides for a passive water management system to maintain water content in any electrochemical cell comprising a liquid ionically conductive medium without the need for pumps, liquid water reservoirs and mechanical level-control valves.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a system for managing water content in one or more electrochemical cells, each comprising a plurality of electrodes and a liquid ionically conductive medium, includes a first gas-phase conduit for receiving humid gas-phase associated with the electrochemical cell. The system also includes a desiccator unit communicated to the first air conduit and configured for extracting water from the humid gas-phase. The system additionally includes a heater for selectively heating the desiccant to selectively release extracted water from the desiccator unit. The system further includes a return conduit communicating the desiccator unit to the ionically conductive medium for receiving extracted water from the desiccator unit, and directing the extracted water to the ionically conductive medium.

According to another embodiment, a method for managing water content in one or more electrochemical cells, each comprising a plurality of electrodes and a liquid ionically conductive medium, includes receiving humid air from the one or more electrochemical cells in a desiccator unit. The method also includes extracting water from the humid air via the desiccator unit. The method additionally includes selectively heating the desiccator unit to selectively release extracted water from the desiccator unit. The method further includes directing the extracted water from the desiccator unit to the ionically conductive medium.

According to another embodiment, an electrochemical cell system includes an electrochemical cell comprising a fuel electrode, a liquid ionically conductive medium, an air chamber, and an oxidant reduction electrode having one surface facing the ionically conductive medium and an opposite surface facing the air chamber. The system also includes a first air conduit for receiving humid air from the air chamber of the electrochemical cell. The system additionally includes a desiccator unit communicated to the first air conduit and configured for extracting water from the humid air. The system additionally includes a heater for selectively heating the desiccator unit to selectively release extracted water from the desiccator unit. The system further includes a return conduit communicating the desiccator unit to the ionically conductive medium for receiving extracted water from the desiccator unit, and directing the extracted water to the ionically conductive medium.

According to another embodiment, a system for managing water content in a plurality of electrochemical cells, each comprising a plurality of electrodes and a liquid ionically conductive medium, includes a desiccator unit for storing water. The system also includes a heater for selectively heating the desiccator unit to selectively release water vapor from the desiccator unit. The system further includes a plurality of return conduits, each associated with a respective cell for communicating the desiccator unit to the ionically conductive medium of each cell for receiving the water vapor from the desiccator unit. Each return conduit is configured to be blocked by a rising level of the liquid ionically conductive medium, thus providing back pressure to the flow of the water vapor so that the water vapor preferentially flows to the unblocked return conduit or conduits.

According to another embodiment, a method for managing water content in a plurality of electrochemical cells, each comprising a plurality of electrodes and a liquid ionically conductive medium, includes storing water in a desiccator unit. The method also includes selectively heating the desiccator unit to selectively release water vapor from the desiccator unit. The method further includes channeling the water vapor from the desiccator unit to a plurality of return conduits, each associated with a respective electrochemical cell. Each return conduit is configured to be blocked by a rising level of the liquid ionically conductive medium, thus providing back pressure to the flow of the water vapor so that the water vapor preferentially flows to the unblocked return conduit or conduits.

Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The battery water management system described in detail below is according to an embodiment wherein the electrochemical cell comprises an air-breathing oxidant electrode. According to such an embodiment, the water management system provides both functions of maintaining water content in the electrochemical cell and controlling humidity associated with the air-breathing electrode. However, it may be appreciated that a related system may be employed for electrochemical cells which do not comprise an air breathing electrode, wherein the primary function is to maintain water content within the electrochemical cell. According to such an embodiment, controlling the humidity of the air breathing electrode becomes unnecessary.

FIG. 1illustrates a schematic cross sectional view of an embodiment of an electrochemical cell100. As shown, the components of the electrochemical cell100may be contained at least partially in an associated housing110. The cell100utilizes a liquid ionically conductive medium that is contained within the housing110, and is configured to circulate therein to conduct ions within the cell100. While at times the ionically conductive medium may be generally stationary within the housing110, such as in a stagnant zone or other quantity of ionically conductive medium, it may be appreciated that the cell100may be configured to create a convective flow of the ionically conductive medium. In some embodiments, such a flow may be generated through controlled direction of bubbles generated through electrochemical processes within the cell, through a sparger, or through any other bubble generating process. In some embodiments, the flow may be generated through any other flow generator, including but not limited to a pump. In some embodiments, localized heating causes convection of the liquid.

Various portions of the electrochemical cell100may be of any suitable structure or composition, including but not limited to being formed from plastic, metal, resin, or combinations thereof. Accordingly the cell100may be assembled in any manner, including being formed from a plurality of elements, being integrally molded, or so on. In various embodiments the cell100and/or the housing110may include elements or arrangements from one or more of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/385,217, 12/385,489, 12/549,617, 12/631,484, 12/776,962, 12/885,268, 12/901,410, 13/028,496, 13/083,929, 13/167,930, 13/185,658, 13/230,549, 13/299,167, 13/362,775, 13/526,432, 13/531,962, 13/532,374, 13/566,948, and 13/668,180, each of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

While the electrochemical cell100may vary across embodiments, the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 1schematically depicts in cross section a cell chamber120within the housing110. The ionically conductive medium may generally be massed within the cell chamber120, however may flow within the cell chamber120, or may flow through the cell chamber120(e.g., from one electrochemical cell100to another electrochemical cell100, or from a reservoir to and from the electrochemical cell100). A fuel electrode130of the cell100may be supported in the cell chamber120so as to be contacted by the ionically conductive medium. In an embodiment, the fuel electrode130is a metal fuel electrode that functions as an anode when the cell100operates in discharge (i.e., electricity generating) mode, as discussed in further detail below. As shown, in some embodiments the fuel electrode130may comprise a plurality of permeable electrode bodies130a-130e. Although in the illustrated embodiment five permeable electrode bodies130a-130eare used, in other embodiments any number is possible. Each permeable electrode body130a-130emay include a screen that is made of any formation that is able to capture and retain, through electrodeposition, or otherwise, particles or ions of metal fuel from the ionically conductive medium that flows through or is otherwise present within the cell chamber120. In an embodiment, electrode body130amay be a terminal electrode body, configured such that when charging, metal fuel may generally grow on the electrode bodies130a-ein a direction defined from electrode body130atowards electrode body130e. Although in the illustrated embodiment, the permeable electrode bodies130a-130emay have different sizes so that a stepped scaffold configuration may be used, as described by U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/167,930, and incorporated by reference above, in other embodiments the permeable electrode bodies130a-130emay have substantially the same size.

In some embodiments, a plurality of spacers may separate the permeable electrode bodies130a-130eso as to create flow lanes in the fuel electrode130. Although in some embodiments the plurality of spacers may be connected to the housing110so that the fuel electrode130may be held in place relative to the housing110, in other embodiments the spacers may be molded in between the permeable electrode bodies130a-130e, and potentially between the fuel electrode130and the charging electrode140, such that the permeable electrode bodies130a-e(and potentially the charging electrode140) are part of a combined electrode module. Such a configuration is depicted in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/901,410, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0086278, incorporated by reference in its entirety above. In various embodiments, the spacers may be non-conductive and electrochemically inert so they are inactive with regard to the electrochemical reactions in the cell100. In some embodiments, the spacers may be made from a suitable plastic material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, noryl, ABS, fluoropolymer, epoxy, or so on. The flow lanes in the fuel electrode130may be three-dimensional, and have a height that is substantially equal to the height of the spacers. Although generally the spacers would be oriented vertically so as to create flow lanes that are parallel to the charging electrode generating the bubbles, in other embodiments, such as but not limited to where the top of the fuel electrode130is blocked, as described below, the spacers may be oriented so as to create flow lanes oriented through the permeable electrode bodies130a-e. It should be appreciated, however, that the spacers and/or flow lanes are optional, and may be omitted in some embodiments.

In some embodiments of the cell100, such as that illustrated, a charging electrode140may be positioned spaced from the fuel electrode130, distal from the terminal electrode body130a(i.e. proximal to the electrode body130e). In some embodiments, the charging electrode140may be a portion of the fuel electrode130(including, for example, being one or more of the permeable electrode bodies130b-130e). As with the fuel electrode130, the charging electrode140may be positioned within the cell chamber120, so as to be in contact with the ionically conductive medium. In the illustrated embodiment, the charging electrode140is in a stepped configuration similar to the permeable electrode bodies130a-e. In other embodiments, however, the charging electrode140may extend at least as far as the longest of the permeable electrode bodies130a-e, when those electrode bodies130a-eare in a stepped scaffold configuration, or otherwise vary in size. As described in greater detail below, the charging electrode140may be configured to participate in the oxidation of an oxidizable oxidant species, which is present in the liquid ionically conductive medium, so as to promote the reduction of an oxidized metal fuel species and growth of the metal fuel on the fuel electrode130during charging of the cell100. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the charging electrode140may be characterized as an oxygen evolving electrode, due to the bubbling off of oxygen gas from the charging electrode140during the charging of the electrochemical cell100, as described in greater detail below.

Further shown inFIG. 1is an oxidant reduction electrode150, which is spaced from the fuel electrode130and the charging electrode140, distal from the terminal electrode body130a. As shown, the oxidant reduction electrode150may be sealed or otherwise assembled into an oxidant reduction electrode module160that is immersed into the ionically conductive medium in the cell chamber120. At least one air channel165extends into the oxidant reduction electrode module160, so as to provide air or another other oxidant to an air space170that is formed between a housing of the oxidant reduction electrode module160and the oxidant reduction electrode150. It may be appreciated that the air or other oxidant in the air space170supplies oxidant to the oxidant reduction electrode150. Additional details of such a configuration are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/531,962, entitled “Immersible Gaseous Oxidant Cathode for Electrochemical Cell System,” and incorporated by reference in its entirety above. It may be appreciated that the air channel165may include a tubular or similar configuration, which may facilitate supplying oxidant to the oxidant reduction electrode150while allowing ionically conductive medium to pass over the oxidant reduction electrode module160(e.g., to either side of the air channel165).

Although not illustrated inFIG. 1, in some embodiments the air channel165may include a separate air channel inlet and air channel outlet extending into and out of the air space170respectively, allowing for the air channel165to form part of an air flow path through the air space170. The air flow path is described in greater detail below. While the air inlet and air outlet may share a common housing extending through the ionically conductive medium into the oxidant reduction electrode module160in some embodiments, in other embodiments the air channel165may include a pair of spaced air paths extending through the ionically conductive medium into the oxidant reduction electrode module160.

As shown, in embodiments containing the separate charging electrode140, the separate charging electrode140may be positioned between the oxidant reduction electrode150and the fuel electrode130. In embodiments of the cell100lacking the separate charging electrode140, the oxidant reduction electrode150may be utilized both during charging and discharging of the cell100(i.e. as an anode during charging and as a cathode during discharging).

Components of the cell100, including for example, the fuel electrode130, the permeable electrode bodies130a-ethereof, the separate charging electrode140, and the oxidant reduction electrode150may be of any suitable construction or configuration, including, for example, being constructed from one or more of Nickel or Nickel alloys (including Nickel-Cobalt, Nickel-Iron, Nickel-Copper (i.e. Monel), or superalloys), Copper or Copper alloys, brass, bronze, carbon, platinum, silver, silver-palladium, or any other suitable metal or alloy. In some embodiments, one or more components of the cell100, such as the fuel electrode130, the separate charging electrode140, and the oxidant reduction electrode150, may comprise a highly conductive material that is plated with a more degradation resistant material. For example, in some embodiments the one or more components of the cell may comprise copper that is plated with nickel, tin, silver, gold, or any other chemically compatible material. As noted above, in some embodiments the fuel electrode130may be formed from permeable metal screens (i.e. the permeable electrode bodies130a-e), which may be configured to capture, retain, and provide a growth platform for the metal fuel. Likewise, in some embodiments the separate charging electrode140may be of a similar configuration to one of the permeable electrode bodies130a-e. In other embodiments, the charging electrode140may be of another configuration, which may be configured to create a potential difference with the fuel electrode130so as to encourage fuel growth on the fuel electrode during charging of the electrochemical cell100. As discussed in greater detail below, the charging electrode140may be configured to evolve bubbles of gaseous oxygen during the charging process, which may rise upwards in the cell100due to their buoyancy in the ionically conductive medium, which may drive the convective flow of the ionically conductive medium.

Like the fuel electrode130and the charging electrode140, the oxidant reduction electrode150may too be of any appropriate construction or configuration. For example, the oxidant reduction electrode150may generally be configured to provide for oxygen reduction in the electrochemical cell100, to create a potential difference with the fuel electrode130during discharge of the cell100. In an embodiment, the oxidant reduction electrode150may contain an active layer having meshes or coatings which may be characterized as “active material(s),” that facilitate the electrochemical reactions. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the oxidant reduction electrode150is positioned in the cell housing110such that the active materials contact the ionically conductive medium such that ions may be conducted therethrough, to and/or from the fuel electrode130. In some embodiments, the active materials may be formed by a mixture of catalyst particles or materials, conductive matrix and hydrophobic materials, sintered to form a composite material or otherwise layered together. In various embodiments the active materials may be constructed of one or more metals, such as but not limited to those listed above. In some embodiments, the active materials may include a catalyst film, which in various embodiments may be formed by techniques including but not limited to thermal spray, plasma spray, electrodeposition, or any other particle coating method.

Electrically coupled to the active materials may be a current collector, which may be configured to receive electrons from a load for consumption by the oxidant reduction reaction when the cell100is in a discharge mode. Likewise, the current collector may be configured to collect electrons from the oxidation reaction at the active materials (i.e. if the oxidant reduction electrode150serves as the charging electrode) for delivery to the power supply PS, to participate in the electrochemical reactions at the active materials, when the cell100is in a charging mode. The current collector may be of any appropriate construction or configuration, including but not limited to being a metal screen, which may have gaps therein. In various embodiments the current collector may be constructed of metals or alloys such as but not limited to those described above for the active layer.

Additionally included in the oxidant reduction electrode150may be one or more hydrophobic materials, which may be any materials that are generally gas permeable but liquid impermeable, so as to contain the ionically conductive medium within the cell housing110, or otherwise maintain an air space associated with the oxidant reduction electrode150(i.e. in the oxidant reduction electrode module160). Although hydrophobic may in some contexts be understood as “water phobic” it should be appreciated that as used herein, hydrophobic implies that it resists permeation of or repels the ionically conductive medium as a whole, and not necessarily just the water in the ionically conductive medium. As such, the hydrophobic materials may also be considered hygrophobic, or “liquid phobic,” materials. The oxidant reduction electrode150as a whole may therefore be liquid impermeable, yet permeable to a gaseous oxidant, such that the gaseous oxidant may contact the active materials of the oxidant reduction electrode150, so as to serve as the oxidant during the electrochemical reactions taking place during discharge of the cell100. In various embodiments, the hydrophobic materials may be of any suitable construction or configuration that facilitates supporting the active materials thereon, be generally permeable to the gaseous oxidant, and be generally impermeable to the ionically conductive medium.

In some embodiments, the hydrophobic material or materials serve as a backing material for the active materials and/or the current collector. Although the hydrophobic materials may vary across embodiments, in some embodiments the hydrophobic materials may be constructed of or otherwise include a fluoropolymer. As an example, in various embodiments, the hydrophobic materials may comprise polytetrafluoroethylene (also known as PTFE, or Teflon®), which may in some embodiments be thermo-mechanically expanded (also known as ePTFE, or Gore-Text). In other embodiments, the hydrophobic materials may comprise Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (also known as FEP), a fluoropolymer, or any other hydrophobic binder (e.g. polypropylene and/or polyethylene). In some embodiments, the hydrophobic materials may have a fine pore size, such as but not limited to one on the order of less than 1 micrometer, or in more particular examples, may be on the order of approximately 50 to 200 nanometers. It may be appreciated that in some embodiments the hydrophobic materials may have limited tensile strength through the thickness of the oxidant reduction electrode150. Accordingly, in some embodiments the hydrophobic materials may be reinforced by an oxidant-permeable reinforcing layer, such as that disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/668,180, entitled “External PTFE Layer Reinforcement for Oxidant Electrode,” incorporated in its entirety by reference above.

The fuel electrode130may comprise any suitable fuel. Specifically, the material selected as the metal fuel may be chemically reactive with a compatible ionically conductive medium and be more electro-positive than an active material at an opposing electrode (e.g. oxygen at an oxidant electrode in a metal-air cell). In an embodiment, a backing of the fuel electrode may be permeable to fuel in the gas, liquid or vapor states (e.g. fuel is hydrogen, hydrocarbons, alcohols). For example, in an alkaline H2/O2fuel cell, water is generated at the fuel electrode. It may be appreciated that a portion of the moisture generated at the fuel electrode could be recirculated to the air electrode. In some such embodiments, the moisture could be separated from the fuel via desiccant absorption on discharge, and during an idle state, water could be desorbed and fed to the air electrode. In acidic fuel cells, the ionic current via protons transports from the fuel electrode to the air electrode. The protons are hydrated during this, causing electro-osmotic drag leading to a lack of water at the fuel electrode. Accordingly, moisture could be recirculated from the air electrode exit to the fuel electrode inlet, using a scheme similar to the alkaline fuel cell example outlined above.

In an embodiment, the fuel used in the cell100may be a metal, such as iron, zinc, aluminum, magnesium, manganese, cadmium, lead, germanium, sodium or lithium. By metal, this term is meant to encompass all elements regarded as metals or semi-metals on the periodic table, including but not limited to alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, lanthanides, actinides, post-transition and transition metals, either in atomic, molecular (including metal hydrides), or alloy form when collected on the electrode body. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to any specific fuel, and others may be used. In an embodiment, the fuel may be provided to the cell100as particles suspended in the ionically conductive medium.

The ionically conductive medium may be an aqueous solution. Examples of suitable mediums include aqueous solutions comprising sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, triflic acid, nitric acid, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium chloride, potassium nitrate, or lithium chloride. In an embodiment, the ionically conductive medium may comprise an organic solvent, such as ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate or other appropriate organic solvents, for example. In some embodiments, the ionically conductive medium is aqueous potassium hydroxide. In an embodiment, the ionically conductive medium may comprise an electrolyte. For example, a conventional liquid electrolyte solution may be used, or a room temperature ionic liquid may be used, as mentioned in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/776,962, incorporated by reference in its entirety above. In some embodiments, additives may be added to the ionically conductive medium, including but not limited to additives that enhance the electrodeposition process of the metal fuel on the fuel electrode130, such as is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/028,496 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/526,432, incorporated by reference in their entireties above. Such additives may reduce the loose dendritic growth of fuel particles, and thus the likelihood of such fuel particles separating from the fuel electrode130, for example. In some embodiments, the ionically conductive medium may comprise any suitable separator or ion-exchange membrane, such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/526,342.

In operation of the cell100, the fuel may be oxidized at the fuel electrode130when the fuel electrode130is operating as an anode, and an oxidizer, such as oxygen, Cl2, or any other appropriate oxidizer, may be reduced at the oxidant reduction electrode150when the oxidant reduction electrode150is operating as a cathode, which is when the cell100is connected to a load and the cell100is in discharge or electricity generation mode, as discussed in further detail below. The reactions that occur during discharge mode may generate by-product precipitates, e.g., a reducible fuel species, in the ionically conductive medium. For example, in embodiments where the fuel is zinc, zinc oxide may be generated as a by-product precipitate/reducible fuel species. The oxidized zinc or other metal may also be supported by, oxidized with or solvated in the electrolyte solution, without forming a precipitate (e.g. zincate may be a dissolved reducible fuel species remaining in the fuel). During a recharge mode, which is discussed in further detail below, the reducible fuel species, e.g., zinc oxide or zincate ions, may be reversibly reduced and deposited as the fuel, e.g., zinc, onto at least a portion of the fuel electrode130that functions as a cathode. At the same time, either the oxidant reduction electrode150or the separate charging electrode140, and/or another portion of the fuel electrode130functions as the anode, and oxidizes an oxidizable oxygen species (e.g., OH−ions) in the ionically conductive medium to evolve gaseous oxygen. In an embodiment, the oxidizable oxygen species may be the reduced oxidant species that was created in the cell100during a discharge thereof.

Although in some embodiments the oxidizer may be delivered to the oxidant reduction electrode150by a passive system, which may be sufficient to allow diffusion or permeation of, e.g. oxygen from the air, into the oxidant reduction electrode150, in other embodiments different sources of the oxidizer or mechanisms for bringing the oxidizer to the oxidant reduction electrode may be utilized. For example, in an embodiment, a pump such as an air pump AP may be used to deliver the oxidizer to the oxidant reduction electrode150under pressure. The air pump AP may be of any suitable construction or configuration, including but not limited to being a fan or other air movement device configured to produce a constant or pulsed flow of air or other oxidant. The oxidizer source may be a contained source of oxidizer. In an embodiment, oxygen may be recycled from the electrochemical cell module100, such as is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/549,617, incorporated by reference in its entirety above. Likewise, when the oxidizer is oxygen from ambient air, the oxidizer source may be broadly regarded as the delivery mechanism, whether it is passive or active (e.g., pumps, blowers, etc.), by which the air is permitted to flow to the oxidant reduction electrode150. Thus, the term “oxidizer source” is intended to encompass both contained oxidizers and/or arrangements for passively or actively delivering oxygen from ambient air to the oxidant reduction electrode150. In other embodiments, the species reduced at the cathode may be stored entirely within the electrochemical cell (e.g. in lead-acid or Ni—Cd cells).

In various embodiments, the permeable electrode bodies130a-e, the separate charging electrode140, and the oxidant reduction electrode150may be connected by a switching system that may be configured to connect the cell100to a power supply PS, a load, or other cells100in series. During discharge, the fuel electrode130is connected to the load, and operates as an anode so that electrons given off by the metal fuel, as the fuel is oxidized at the fuel electrode130, flows to the external load. The oxidant reduction electrode150functions as the cathode during discharge, and is configured to receive electrons from the external load and reduce an oxidizer that contacts the oxidant reduction electrode150, specifically oxygen in the air surrounding the cell100, oxygen being fed into the cell100, or oxygen recycled from the cell100.

The operation of the switching system may vary across embodiments, and in some embodiments the operation may be similar to those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/299,167, incorporated above by reference. As another example, in an embodiment, the external load may be coupled to some of the permeable electrode bodies130a-130ein parallel, as described in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/385,489, incorporated above by reference. In other embodiments, the external load may only be coupled to the terminal permeable electrode body130a, distal from the oxidant reduction electrode150, so that fuel consumption may occur in series from between each of the permeable electrode bodies130a-130e. In some embodiments, the cell100may be configured for charge/discharge mode switching, as is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/885,268, filed on Sep. 17, 2010, previously incorporated by reference above.

In some embodiments, one or more of the electrode bodies130a-e, the oxidant reduction electrode150and/or the charging electrode140may be interconnected by the switching system, or any other circuit, so as to selectively facilitate control of the charging and discharging of the cell100. Switches associated with the switching system may be controlled by a controller, which may be of any suitable construction and configuration, including but not limited to, in some embodiments, conforming generally to those disclosed in U.S. application Ser. Nos. 13/083,929, 13/230,549, and 13/299,167, incorporated by reference above. In various embodiments, the control of the switches of the switching system may be determined based on a user selection, a sensor reading, or by any other input. In some embodiments, the controller may also function to manage connectivity between the load and the power source PS and a plurality of the cells100. In some embodiments, the controller may include appropriate logic or circuitry for actuating bypass switches associated with each cell100in response to detecting a voltage reaching a predetermined threshold (such as drop below a predetermined threshold).

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the ionically conductive medium may be filled to a level L within the cell chamber120. As described in greater detail below, a return inlet180may facilitate the addition of ionically conductive medium, or a component thereof (e.g., water) into the cell chamber120, which may raise the level L of the ionically conductive medium. Although the cross sectional view ofFIG. 1obscures the presence of such a path, it may be appreciated that the return inlet180, like the air channel165, may be of a tubular configuration, configured so as to not block desired flow paths (if any) of the ionically conductive medium. Other configurations of the return inlet180are also possible, and may be present in various embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the return inlet180may be at least partially molded into the cell housing110. As described in greater detail below, in an embodiment at least a portion of the return inlet180may be configured to extend into the ionically conductive medium (e.g., into the cell chamber120), and may help establish the level L of the ionically conductive medium. As shown inFIG. 1, a water management system WMS may be coupled between the air channel165and the return inlet180, and may be configured to manage humidity levels within the air space170, as well as recapture humidity as water, directing the water to the return inlet180to replenish the ionically conductive medium in the cell chamber120. The water management system WMS is a feature of the present disclosure, and is described in greater detail below.

Although in the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 1the cell housing110is configured such that the oxidant reduction electrode150is immersed with the oxidant reduction electrode module160into the cell chamber120, it may be appreciated that in various embodiments, other configurations or arrangements of the cell100are also possible. For example, inFIG. 2, another embodiment of the cell100(specifically, cell100*) is presented, whereby an oxidant reduction electrode150* defines a boundary wall for the cell chamber120, and is sealed to a portion of a housing110* so as to prevent seepage of ionically conductive medium therebetween. Although such a configuration has concerns that a failure of the oxidant reduction electrode150* would result in leakage of the ionically conductive medium out of the cell100*, in some such embodiments a flow of the ionically conductive medium in the cell chamber120may be in a direction upwards and away from the oxidant reduction electrode150*, across the top of the fuel electrode130. Despite the downsides of electrochemical cells100* having a boundary wall configuration of the oxidant reduction electrode150*, it may be appreciated that such configurations of electrochemical cells100* may exist, and may be retrofitted to engage the water management system WMS.

As shown inFIG. 2, in an embodiment such retrofitting of the electrochemical cell100* may include surrounding the air facing side of the oxidant reduction electrode150* by an external air chamber190. While in the illustrated embodiment the external air chamber190is sealed to the cell housing110*, in other embodiments the external air chamber190may be sealed to the oxidant reduction electrode150*, or may be generally configured to generally surround the electrochemical cell100*. Other configurations are also possible. It may further be appreciated that while the external air chamber190may be sealed to portions of the electrochemical cell100* in some embodiments, in other embodiments the external air chamber190may more simply abut the electrochemical cell100*, or more loosely be secured to the electrochemical cell100*. In the illustrated embodiment, the external air chamber190forms an air space170between the oxidant reduction electrode150* and the walls of the external air chamber190. Similarly to the embodiment extending from the oxidant reduction electrode module160ofFIG. 1, an air channel165may extend from the external air chamber190, so as to form a path for air to flow between the air space170and the water management system WMS.

FIG. 3schematically illustrates an embodiment of a water management system200. It may be appreciated that the water management system200may be utilized as the water management WMS in the embodiments ofFIGS. 1 and 2.FIG. 3also generally illustrates a representation of the electrochemical cell100. As shown, the cell housing110defines a cell chamber120that contains an amount of ionically conductive medium filled to the level L. The fuel electrode130and the separate charging electrode140are immersed in the ionically conductive medium. The oxidant reduction electrode150is also immersed in the ionically conductive medium, sealed to the oxidant reduction electrode module160to maintain the air space170therein. As shown inFIG. 3, the air channel165includes an air channel inlet210and an air channel outlet220. As such, a flow of air comprising an oxidant may be received from an external source (e.g., ambient air, or a contained oxidant source), and may be fed into the air space170through the air channel inlet210, before flowing out of the air channel outlet220, as discussed in greater detail below. While the air channel inlet and the air channel outlet are shown to be spaced differently relative to the oxidant reduction electrode150in the schematic view ofFIG. 3, it may be appreciated that such an illustration may be simply to schematically show movement of the flow, and the air channel inlet210and the air channel inlet220may be aligned with one another in a plane parallel to that of the oxidant reduction electrode150in some embodiments.

The water management system200ofFIG. 3may be discussed in terms of the flows of air therein. In embodiments where another gas phase is carrying the water or humidity content, it may be understood that the flow might be of the other gas phase. As shown, an air inlet230may receive air from outside of the electrochemical cell100and the water management system200. While in some embodiments the air may be from the ambient air in the atmosphere outside of the water management system200, in other embodiments the air may be from a contained oxidizer source (e.g., a tank of pure oxygen or an oxygen mix). In some embodiments, such as that illustrated where the air is from surrounding atmosphere, the air inlet230may include an air filter or other filtering structure configured to remove particulates or other contaminants from the air. Such a filter is optional, however, and may be absent in some embodiments. As shown, the water management system200may include a fan240or other air flow generator positioned to generate a flow of the air from the air inlet230to the air channel inlet210of the air channel165associated with the oxidant reduction electrode150.

It may be appreciated that the air entering the air inlet230may be generally dry relative to air inside the air space170. This may be because the oxidant reduction electrode150, immersed into and in contact with the ionically conductive medium in the cell chamber120, may be somewhat porous. Although hygrophobic coatings and other mechanisms may attempt to prevent the ionically conductive medium from permeating the oxidant reduction electrode150, it may be appreciated that water (e.g. water vapor) from the ionically conductive medium may still slowly pass through the oxidant reduction electrode150, increasing the humidity of the air in the air space170. Specifically, osmotic forces may cause water to permeate through from an ionically conductive medium contacting side of the oxidant reduction electrode150to an air side of the oxidant reduction electrode. Such permeation may occur more commonly when the relative humidity in the air space is low (i.e., approximately 10%).

After traversing the air space170, and increasing in humidity from the moisture content therein, the air flow may exit the oxidant reduction electrode module160via the air channel outlet220. Although the relative humidity of the air flow beyond the air channel outlet220may vary, in some embodiments the relative humidity leaving the air space170may be approximately 70%. It may be appreciated that a portion of the air flow may be redirected towards the air inlet230via an air recirculator250. The air recirculator250connects the air channel outlet220back to the air channel inlet210, such as at a point upstream of the fan240. While in the illustrated embodiment the air recirculator250may direct the portion of the air flow between the air inlet230and the fan240, so that some of the humid air mixes with the relatively drier air entering the air inlet230, other configurations are alternatively possible. In some embodiments, the air recirculator250may be configured to increase the relative humidity of the ambient air entering the air inlet230to approximately 30%, for example, by mixing a portion of the humid air (e.g., at approximately 70%) with the relatively dry air (e.g., ambient air at approximately 10%). As such, the air that continues through the air channel inlet210into the air space170would have some humidity therein that is greater than the drier ambient air outside of the electrochemical cell100and the water management system200.

It may be appreciated that recirculation of some of the humidity from the air space170may be beneficial to the performance and lifespan of the oxidant reduction electrode150. For example, the recirculation may prevent the air in the air space170, especially at the air channel inlet210, from becoming too dry. Excessively dry air at the air side of the oxidant reduction electrode150may increase a rate at which water from the ionically conductive medium succumbs to osmotic forces and escapes through the oxidant reduction electrode150into the air space170. As more water escapes, the concentration of the ionically conductive medium in the oxidant reduction electrode150increases. The increased concentration may further increase the osmotic pressure in the oxidant reduction electrode150, as lower concentrated ionically conductive medium from the cell chamber120may try to dilute the higher concentration in the oxidant reduction electrode150. With such an increased osmotic pressure, the oxidant reduction electrode150may be more susceptible to structural degradation including blistering, delamination or even rupture, which may cause loss of electrical contact and/or a leak of the ionically conductive medium that could fill the air space170and render the electrochemical cell100partially or wholly inoperative.

The remainder of the humid air exiting the air channel outlet220may pass through a selectively closable valve260into a desiccator unit270, described in greater detail below. In an embodiment, the valve260may be located anywhere in the air flow path beyond where the air flow branches to the air recirculator250, and in some embodiments the valve260may be located within the desiccator unit270. In addition, the valve260may be of any appropriate construction or configuration, and in some embodiments may comprise a check valve or a reed valve, and may be simply configured to prevent undesired backflow. The operation of some embodiments of the valve260(e.g., when it is selectively opened and closed) is discussed in greater detail below.

The desiccator unit270may also be of any appropriate construction or configuration, and is configured to selectively capture and release water from the humid air that has passed through the valve260. In some embodiments, the desiccator unit270comprises a chamber having a desiccant therein. While in an embodiment the desiccator unit270comprises silica gel, other hygroscopic substances may alternatively be utilized to absorb water from the humid air. For example, in some embodiments the desiccator unit270may comprise activated charcoal, aluminum oxide, calcium sulfate, calcium chloride, montmorillonite clay and/or a molecular sieve. Other constructions or configurations that have exothermic water adsorption and endothermic water desorption properties may additionally or alternatively be utilized. Additionally, other mechanisms for isolating humidity from the air in the desiccator unit may alternatively be utilized. As one non-limiting example, the desiccator unit may comprise a solar still, shaped to condense and isolate water from the air therein. Also, in some embodiments a passively or actively cooled condensing unit could be employed. For example, active cooling could be accomplished by a Peltier/thermoelectric element. In embodiments where the desiccator unit270is configured to absorb and store the water from the humid air in a desiccant, it may be appreciated that the water may be selectively released by heating the desiccant. As such, in the illustrated embodiment, the desiccator unit270comprises a heater275which may be selectively activated to heat the desiccant. While the schematic view ofFIG. 3does not show how the heated and released water/steam might flow out of the desiccator unit270, it may be appreciated a variety of configurations are possible across embodiments, which may allow water to enter an outflow path280. For example, the desiccator unit270may be shaped with an angled base leading to the outflow path280. As another example, the heater275may be configured to heat the water sufficient to turn the water to steam, and direct the steam to the outflow path280.

As shown inFIG. 3, a selector valve290may be configured to selectively connect the outflow path280to either an air outlet300or to a return conduit310that extends to the return inlet180of the electrochemical cell100. It may be appreciated that the selector valve290of the illustrated embodiment is merely exemplary, and a plurality of valves and paths that selectively couple the desiccator unit270to the air outlet300and the return inlet180may be utilized in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the selector valve290may typically be positioned to close off the return conduit310to prevent evaporation of water from the cell's ionically conductive medium therethrough. The selector valve290may also be positioned to open the return conduit310and optionally close the air outlet300when the desiccator unit270is being used to release water for return to the ionically conductive medium. In some embodiments, the selector valve290may be configured to connect the air outlet300to the return inlet180, which may facilitate utilizing the air outlet300as an external liquid inlet, so that a technician may utilize the air outlet300to pour ionically conductive medium into the cell chamber120, or pour additional water so as to dilute a concentration of ionically conductive medium and/or to adjust desired electrolyte level.

When the selector valve290is opened between the outflow path280and the return conduit310, it may be appreciated that a mechanism for determining when a flow of water from the desiccator unit270through the return conduit310has ceased. As discussed in greater detail below, where the release of water is facilitated by operation of the heater275, knowing when a flow of water has ceased may allow the water management system200to determine that operation of the heater275should be terminated. Although the mechanism for determining the cessation of water flow may vary across embodiments, in the illustrated embodiment a thermocouple320may be positioned in the return conduit310so as to contact water or steam flowing through the return conduit310. Numerous other arrangements of the thermocouple320are possible; for example, the thermocouple may be situated within the desiccator unit270. In some embodiments, a plurality of thermocouples may be suitable. In the illustrated embodiment, the thermocouple320may detect the increased temperature of the water, heated by the heater275, over a baseline temperature of ambient air within the return conduit310. When the water no longer flows across the thermocouple320, the thermocouple may detect the decrease in temperature, and turn off the heater275in response. In embodiments where the heater275is configured to turn the water in the desiccator unit270into steam, it may be appreciated that the steam may likewise have a higher measurable temperature than dry air, and thus the thermocouple320may operate in a similar manner by turning off the heater275when the temperature drops, indicating that water is no longer being directed back into the cell chamber120. As described in greater detail below, the thermocouple320may also be coupled to a control for the selector valve290, and may be configured to modify a configuration of the selector valve290once water ceases to flow, in conjunction with operating the heater275.

It may be appreciated that the operation of the electrochemical cell100may modify operation of the water management system200. Specifically, the water management system200may operate differently when the electrochemical cell100is in a discharge mode than when the electrochemical cell100is in a recharge mode. For example, in an embodiment when the electrochemical cell100is configured for discharging, a potential difference may be formed between the fuel electrode130and the oxidant electrode150, such that the metal fuel on the fuel electrode130is being oxidized, while an oxidant (e.g., the oxygen in the air being received in the air inlet230) is being reduced at the oxidant reduction electrode150. As humidity is being transferred into the air flow passing through the air space170, the valve260may be open so that the air flow exiting the air channel outlet220may enter the desiccator unit270. As noted above, it may be appreciated that some of the humid air would be recirculated via the air recirculator250. In some embodiments, air recirculator250comprises an adjustable valve. For example, an air recirculator valve may be adjusted depending on local climate, (e.g. relative humidity) or any other suitable metric. In some embodiments, it may be appreciated that the selector valve290may be opened to the atmosphere (e.g., the outflow path280is open to the air outlet300, so that as the humidity is being absorbed from the humid air in the desiccator unit270, the dried air may vent to the atmosphere. The desiccator unit270may therefore absorb moisture originally from the ionically conductive medium that would otherwise escape to the atmosphere through the oxidant reduction electrode150, causing evaporation, and thus increased concentration, of the ionically conductive medium.

When the electrochemical cell100is in a recharge mode, oxygen ions may be oxidized to evolve gaseous oxygen the separate charging electrode140and/or a portion of the fuel electrode130, while fuel ions may be reduced at least at another portion of the fuel electrode130, to plate metal fuel on at least that other portion of the fuel electrode130. In an embodiment, during the recharge mode the valve260may be closed (as the oxidant reduction electrode150may be idle), and the heater275may be heating the desiccator unit270to release water therefrom. It may be appreciated that by closing the valve260, water from the desiccator unit270may be prevented from being released (e.g., as steam) out of the air recirculator250and/or the air inlet230. Accordingly, during the heating by the heater275, the selector valve290may be closed to the atmosphere (and the air outlet300), and instead may be open between the outflow path280and the return conduit310. As such, the heated water may be directed through the return conduit310to the return inlet180, condensing on the surface of the ionically conductive medium, or otherwise recombining with the ionically conductive medium. As indicated above, when the heated water (e.g., steam) ceases passing the return conduit310, as ascertained by the thermocouple320, it may be understood that the moisture absorbed in the desiccator unit270has been released back into the ionically conductive medium, and the heater275may be deactivated.

In some embodiments, multiple electrochemical cells may share a common water management system. It may be appreciated that such a water management system may be configured so as to ensure that each of the electrochemical cells associated therewith maintain desired amounts of ionically conductive medium therein. For example,FIG. 4schematically illustrates a water management system330configured for use with both electrochemical cell100aand electrochemical cell100b. As discussed below, it may be appreciated that additional electrochemical cells100may be utilized in other embodiments. Further, other electrochemical cells (e.g., electrochemical cells100*) may additionally or alternatively be utilized in other embodiments. It may be appreciated that components of the water management system330may be generally similar to those utilized in the water management system200, and as such, like elements may be labeled similarly. For example, as discussed in greater detail below, it may be appreciated that the air inlet230, the fan240, the valve260, the desiccator unit270, the heater275, and the thermocouple320may perform similar functions and be of similar configurations to those discussed above in water management system200.

In the illustrated embodiment, both electrochemical cell100aand electrochemical cell100bare configured with fuel electrodes130, and charging electrodes140immersed in ionically conductive medium in cell chambers120, that are defined by cell housings110. To differentiate the cell chambers120, the cell chamber120ais associated with electrochemical cell100a, while the cell chamber120bis associated with electrochemical cell100b. As further shown, oxidant reduction electrodes150are immersed in the ionically conductive medium, and are sealed to oxidant reduction electrode modules160, which are configured to maintain air spaces170therein. To differentiate the air spaces170, air space170ais found in electrochemical cell100a, while air space170bis found in electrochemical cell100b. Further, the air spaces170aand170bare associated with air channels165aand165bextending into and out of electrochemical cells100aand100brespectively.

Similarly to water management system200, the water management system330may be configured to receive air comprising an oxidant via the air inlet230. A flow of the air may be generated by the fan240, which may be directed to each of the electrochemical cells100a-b. As shown inFIG. 4, in an embodiment the air flow may be distributed by an inlet air manifold340. While the schematically illustrated inlet air manifold340is configured to distribute the air flows to air channel inlets210aand210bof the air channels165aand165brespectively, in other embodiments additional cells may also receive inflows of air from the inlet air manifold340. After passing through the air channel inlets210aand210b, the air flows may absorb moisture in the air spaces170aand170b, and exit the immersed oxidant electrode modules160via the air channel outlets220aand220brespectively. As shown, in an embodiment the air flows of the humid air may recombine at an exit air manifold350of the water management system330. While the exit air manifold350of the illustrated embodiment couples to electrochemical cells100aand100b, additional electrochemical cells100(or other configurations of electrochemical cells) may additionally or alternatively be coupled to the exit air manifold350in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, such as that illustrated inFIG. 4, the air recirculator250may be a separate line extending from the exit air manifold350. It may be appreciated that such a configuration may decrease a pressure buildup associated with the air flows. Again, the air recirculator250may direct some of the humid air back towards the air inlet230, so as to prevent the air in the air spaces170aand170bfrom becoming excessively dry. A main humid air channel360may therefore extend between the exit air manifold350and the desiccator unit270, and may facilitate capture of the moisture from the humid air received from the exit air manifold350by the desiccator unit270. As shown, the valve260preventing backflows of steam when the heater275is heating the desiccator unit270may be located in the main humid air channel360in some embodiments.

In the illustrated embodiment of the water management system330, separate flow paths extend from the desiccator unit270, instead of the selector valve290associated with the common outflow path280(as found in the embodiment of the water management system200). Specifically, an air outflow path370, having an associated air outflow valve380, may facilitate selective release of dry/spent air (e.g., when the electrochemical cell is operating in a discharge mode). Additionally, the return conduit310extends directly from the desiccator unit270to a vapor distribution manifold390. As shown, the vapor distribution manifold390may couple to the return inlets180(individually, the return inlet180aassociated with electrochemical cell100a, and the return inlet180bassociated with the electrochemical cell100b), to facilitate the return of the captured water back into the cell chambers120aand120brespectively. While the vapor distribution manifold390of the illustrated embodiment couples to electrochemical cells100aand100b, additional electrochemical cells100(or other configurations of electrochemical cells) may additionally or alternatively be coupled to the vapor distribution manifold390in other embodiments. Additionally, while the flow path between the vapor distribution manifold390and the return inlet180aof the electrochemical cell100ais shown as a tortuous route between the electrochemical cells100aand100b, it may be appreciated that this is a schematic representation to simplify the illustrated connection, and is not intended to be limiting in any way.

Similarly to the water management system200, it may be appreciated that in some embodiments the water management system330may be configured to vary in operation depending on whether the electrochemical cells100are in charge mode or discharge mode. In some embodiments, the electrochemical cells100may be configured to each be in a charge mode at a same time, so that the water management system330may vary in operation to cooperate with the set of electrochemical cells100. In some embodiments, the water management system330may include additional valves associated with each of the electrochemical cells100, which may individually be controlled to open and close to facilitate charge mode operation and discharge mode operation in the water management system330for each of the electrochemical cells100.

In an embodiment, when the electrochemical cells100are in a discharge mode, air may enter the air inlet230, and a flow may be generated through the fan240. The flow may be divided by the inlet air manifold340, so as to establish an air flow to the air space170aand the air space170brespectively. After gaining humidity therein, the air flow may exit the air channel outlets220aand220b, and recombine at the exit air manifold350. A portion of the humid air may be recirculated to the air inlet230by the air recirculator250, while the remainder of the humid air may pass through the main humid air channel360(and the valve260), into the desiccator unit270. The humidity may be absorbed from the air flow in the desiccator unit270, and the dried air may exit through the air outflow path370(with the air outflow valve380opened to allow venting of the dried flow into the atmosphere).

During a charging or idle state of the electrochemical cells100, the heater275may be activated to free water absorbed in the desiccator unit270. During heating, the valve260may be closed to prevent a flow of water or vapor back into the air spaces170aand170b, and the air outflow valve370may be closed to prevent venting of water or vapor out of the water management system330and the electrochemical cells100. The closure of the valve260may be automatic where the valve260is a one-way valve configured to prevent backflow (e.g., a reed valve). As the desiccator unit270is heated, water vapor may proceed through the return conduit310and the vapor distribution manifold390, towards the return inlets180aand180bassociated with each of the electrochemical cell100. Again, heating by the heater275may cease once the thermocouple320, or another sensor, determines that no more water is proceeding through the return conduit310back toward the cell chambers120aand120b, as discussed in greater detail below.

In some embodiments, charging of the electrochemical cells100may be configured to disengage the fan240, while in other embodiments the fan240may remain engaged to cycle the humid air through the air recirculator250. In some embodiments, the operation of the fan240may be pulsed or otherwise intermittent, while in other embodiments the fan240may operate continuously. Further, operation of the fan240may be controlled through timing circuits, control logic associated with the electrochemical cells100(or a man controller associated therewith), and/or through sensors associated with the water management system330. Other configurations are also possible in other embodiments.

As indicated above, during charging (or an idle state) of the electrochemical cells100, the heater275may be activated so as to release water vapor towards the return inlets180aand180b. In an embodiment, e.g., with the increased temperature in the closed system of the water management system330, the released water may be pressurized. The released water, under pressure, may then be directed through the return conduit310towards the electrochemical cells100. It may be appreciated that in some embodiments the return inlets180aand180bmay facilitate self-leveling of the ionically conductive medium. For example, in an embodiment where the heater275is configured to release the water from the desiccator unit270in vapor form, it may be appreciated that the water vapor, prevented from backflow by the valve260, and escaping the water management system to the outside air by the air outlet valve380, would be forced to flow through the return conduit310towards the return inlets180aand180b. It may be appreciated that in some embodiments, no valves are utilized between the desiccator unit270and the electrochemical cells100, as flow of water in vapor/steam form is balanced through regulation of pressure heads at the return inlets180aand180b. As indicated above, where the return inlets180aand180bextend into the cell chambers120aand120brespectively, the amount of the extension may define a desired minimum level for the ionically conductive medium. Accordingly, where the level of the ionically conductive medium is sufficient to close the return inlets180aand180b, then the water vapor may create a head pressure and some back pressure where it meets the ionically conductive medium. Back pressure at one electrochemical cell100may cause backflow of the water vapor to another electrochemical cell100, which may have a level of ionically conductive medium that is below the level established by the return inlet180. As such, the vapor would condense at the other electrochemical cell100, refilling that cell chamber120instead of overfilling the cell chamber120of the electrochemical cell100that has sufficient ionically conductive medium.

The self-leveling feature of the water management system330may be appreciated with reference to the electrochemical cells100aand100billustrated inFIG. 4. As shown, a level Laof ionically conductive medium in the electrochemical cell100ais higher relative to a level Lbof ionically conductive medium in the electrochemical cell100b. In particular, the level Lbof ionically conductive medium in the electrochemical cell100bis below the return inlet180b, while the level Laof ionically conductive medium in the electrochemical cell100ais at or above the furthest extent of the return inlet180a. As such, the water vapor generated by the heater275traversing along the return inlet180amay cause head pressure and back pressure where it meets the ionically conductive medium. As shown, while the head pressure may establish a level La(2)of ionically conductive medium within the return inlet180a, associated back pressure would result in the water vapor preferentially traversing the path of least resistance (e.g., the return inlet180b), and condensing in the cell chamber120bto raise the level Lb. Accordingly, the head pressures and back pressures associated with cell chambers120having at least a minimum desired level of ionically conductive medium would not cause those electrochemical cells100to overflow, but rather would fill cell chambers120having less than the minimum desired level of ionically conductive medium, to achieve self-leveling across a plurality of electrochemical cells100.

It may be appreciated that in some embodiments, the electrochemical cells100may contain therein level sensors400(individually level sensors400aand400b) configured to ascertain a level of the ionically conductive medium. The level sensors400aand400bmay be of any construction or configuration, including but not limited to a buoyancy/float sensor, an optical sensor, a thermal sensor, conductivity sensor or so on. In an embodiment, when the ionically conductive medium drops below a desired level for one or more of the electrochemical cells, the heater275may be activated (with the valves260and380closed), to release water from the desiccator unit270. In other embodiments, refilling may be automatic, based on timer circuits or similar control mechanisms. In some embodiments, sensors associated with the desiccator unit270may determine when to activate the heater275. As one non-limiting example, if a sensor determines that the desiccant is completely saturated, however a humidity level within the desiccator unit270rises (indicating that additional water is unable to be absorbed in the desiccant), the heater275may vaporize the water to attempt to replenish the cell chambers120. Other configurations are also possible, and may vary across embodiments.

In some embodiments, it may be appreciated that the desiccator unit270may selectively open to the atmosphere, so that the desiccator unit270may capture and retain atmospheric moisture, or may be configured to receive air from some other external source, rather than from the air leaving the air channel from the cell. For example, this arrangement may be more suitable for electrochemical cells which do not comprise an air breathing electrode. In embodiments such as that described above, where the water management system200or330is configured to extract water from the electrochemical cells100, the desiccator unit270may selectively close off a path from the air channel outlets220of the electrochemical cells100(e.g., by closing the valve260) so that humid air from the air channel outlets220is not inadvertently lost to the atmosphere when the desiccator unit270is extracting humid air from the atmosphere. In an embodiment, the opening to the atmosphere may similarly be closed off via the valve260, or another valve, when the heater275is heating the desiccator unit270to release the extracted water, so that the extracted water is directed through the return conduit310. It may be appreciated that in some embodiments water management systems, such as the water management system200or330, might not be generally configured to capture the humidity from the electrochemical cells100. In some such embodiments, the opening to the atmosphere (or other external source) might be the main or sole source of humid air for the desiccator unit270to capture humidity for subsequent release into the electrochemical cells100. It may be appreciated that in some such embodiments, the humid air may simply remain in the air spaces170, may be circulated through the air recirculator250, or may be otherwise vented to the atmosphere.

The structures, constructions, and configurations described herein are exemplary, and may be varied across embodiments. In some embodiments, the valves are passive, requiring no external control for operation. In some embodiments, active valves having an external means of actuation may be employed. For example, the valves utilized herein may be of any appropriate configuration, including but not limited to three-way valves, reed valves, bimetal snap check valves, or so on. The valves may be activated through any appropriate source, including but not limited to servos, electronic controllers, heat (e.g., from the heater275) or pressure (e.g., from the air flow generated by the fan240or from pressure associated with the heated water vapor). Additionally, the manifolds, pipes, tubes, connections, or other air/water flow paths may be of any appropriate construction or configuration, including but not limited to metal, plastic, and/or rubber. Other components of the electrochemical cells (e.g., electrochemical cell100) or the water management systems (e.g., water management system330) may similarly be of varied constructions or configurations.

The foregoing illustrated embodiments have been provided solely for illustrating the structural and functional principles of the present invention and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the present invention may be practiced using different fuels, different oxidizers, different electrolytes, and/or different overall structural configuration or materials. Thus, the present invention is intended to encompass all modifications, substitutions, alterations, and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the following appended claims.