2H2OICC: a high-power density, compact electrical collector that converts the energy resulting from a well tuned and controlled chemical and ionic exchange. The Ion Assisted Reaction Cell is completely safe, and generates no toxic waste materials, high temperatures, or noise.
This unique cell was formally called a "capture capacitor." The capture capacitor is essentially an electrolytic cell. It is actually an electrolytic cell with two dissimilar metal plates. The electrolyte does not react chemically with the plates. The principle of my capture capacitor is similar to what is being called a 'super' or 'ultra capacitor'. However, I must point out that my capture capacitor functions on a different principle than what is being used as an industry standard today. * This statement was revised on January 13, 2003.
Second generation capture capacitors contained small amounts of radioactive material doped into an air-cathode material. This would generate ozone at the surface. The ozone then reacts with water molecules in the electrolyte forming hydroxyl (OH-) ions and hydrogen peroxide. This greatly increases the capacity of the cell.
Third generation capture capacitors now include electrostatic methods to ionize diatomic hydrogen gas on the anode plate. The ionized hydrogen molecule reacts with water molecules forming hydrated hydrogen ions (H3O+). The fundamental principle has been publicly demonstrated by Bruce A. Perreault as early as 1997 and advanced applications are now currently under development in his laboratory. His unique discovery demonstrates how hydrogen atoms can be safely stored in water without the risk of explosion.
ICC technology can easily be mass produced and can be scaled to satisfy any power usage needs. It has a long life expectancy, and its price will be very competitive when compared with contemporary technologies. The attributes of the ICC are just what is needed in lap-top computers, boats, campers, cell phones, and thousands of other applications.
Ion Assisted Fuel Cell - Operating Chemistry
As oxygen (O3) enters the cathode of a cell, it is absorbed. These (O3) molecules react with the water molecules in the electrolyte that is typically KOH + H2O, resulting in negatively charged hydroxyl (OH-) ions. In this process the cathode loses electrons and becomes positively charged.
As diatomic hydrogen (H2) molecules enter the anode side of the cell they are positively ionized. The ionized hydrogen will react with a water molecule, entering into chemical union with the water, converting it into a hydrated positive ion. The positive hydrogen ion (H+) here appears in the above example to be a hydrated ion, or an oxonium ion (H3O+). This principle will be found useful in replacing the reformer used to feed fuel cells.
The hydrogen ions pass through the electrically non-conductive separator and react with the negative hydroxyl ions on the cathode side generating electrical current, producing water (H2O) as a by-product.
H3O + + OH - 2H2O
When an electrical load is connected between the electrodes, electrons will flow to the cathode from the negatively charged anode.
To effect the required ion assisted reaction a high-voltage power supply can be used to excite the ICC.
In prior art fuel cells water molecules are treated in the presence of an expensive catalyst like platinum, converting hydrogen into ions. The ICC does not require a catalyst.
The hydrogen ions pass through a membrane (electrically non-conductive porous separator) and combine with negative hydroxyl ions on the cathode side generating electrical current and producing water as a by-product.
The structure of an ion capture cell (ICC) is very simple, yet it is unique. The energy density of the ICC is excellent, even better than any existing electrochemical systems to date. We predict that this technology will have great success in the near future.
ICC technology will be used as back-up power supplies and could very well be adapted as the main power supply. Systems using this unique technology will be made available through Nu Energy Research Laboratories (NERL).
Primary Ozone Cells - How They Work
The structure of an aluminum/ozone ICC is very simple and is similar to the capture capacitor. Fundamentally, the functional principle is the same. Basically, difference is that the pH of the electrolyte is changed. A piece of aluminum is immersed in an electrolyte near a porous carbon electrode. This porous carbon electrode is exposed to ozone on it's outer surface, and the electrolyte on it's inner surface. This is shown in the diagram below.
The aluminum reacts with hydroxyl OH- ions to form aluminum hydroxide and releases three electrons. The reaction is:
Al + 3OH- Al (OH)3 + 3e-
These electrons form the electric current. The above equation shows why aluminum/ozone cells are so good. The valiancy of aluminum is three, so three electrons are released. Since three electrons are released for each aluminum atom we get a lot of electricity!
At the porous electrode the water in the electrolyte reacts with ozone supplied to the outer cylinder, and the water readily absorbs oxygen becoming hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl ions. Electrons are released due to the dissociation of the water molecule. The electrons are absorbed by the aluminum electrode.
The hydroxyl (OH-) ion is created as power is needed. This is accomplished by feeding a cell with a regulated amount of ozone. Pure oxygen can be supplied by an external reservoir, or as a concentrated hydrogen peroxide reserve situated somewhere outside of the cell.
O3 + H2O H2O2 + O1 : O1 + H2O OH-
Cations are formed at the carbon electrode, and so this electrode is called the cathode. It internally attracts negative ions through the electrolyte, and so it is the positive terminal of the battery.
The electrons travel through the external circuit connected to the cell, towards the aluminum electrode (the anode) and both the above reactions carry on until the aluminum is used up, or the circuit is broken. The overall reaction is:
4Al + 3O2 + 6H2 4Al(OH)3
The energy density of the aluminum/ozone cell is excellent, even better than the lithium cell. There are no side reactions that take place between the electrolyte and the aluminum. There is no corrosion of the aluminum. In a normal aluminum/air cell corrosion begins as soon as the aluminum is in contact with the electrolyte. This is because small amounts of hydrogen gas are produced. The reactions are very slow, but a great amount of corrosion takes place in the typical aluminum/air battery. In other words, the battery has a very short shelf life. However, the aluminum/ozone battery does not suffer this problem where the electrolyte is a function of the ozone, and is present only when power is required. The open circuit voltage of the cell is about 1.7 volts, but the normal operating voltage is about 1.4 or 1.5 volts. This type of battery is typically called a reserve battery, and it is predicted that the aluminum/ozone battery will have great success in the energy market.
Large aluminum/ozone batteries will be used as back-up power supplies and could very well be adapted as the main power supply. Compared to lead/acid batteries they store about ten times as much energy in a given volume. We feel there is a growing demand for such power supplies that offer not only greater energy efficiency and power availability, but truly significant environmental benefits.
These batteries are being developed by Nu Energy Research Laboratories
If you could not find an answer to your question in the information above, please email us the question and we'll respond promptly.
Reference
Method of Utilizing Ozone to Generate Electrical Energy
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