Fluid additives for regenerative fuel cells

Abstract

A regenerative fuel cell has one half-cell which produces gas while charging and consumes the gas during discharge. The electrolyte liquid circulated through that half-cell comprises a flexible long chain polymer or a viscoelastic surfactant. The half-cell is configured to compel the flow of electrolyte liquid to make repeated changes in direction and the flow rate is sufficient that elastic turbulence occurs. This dislodges bubbles of produced gas from the electrodes, maintaining more electrode surface available for reaction and enhancing efficiency. The other half-cell may also be in a state of elastic turbulence enhancing mass transport to and from its electrode surface

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