US4218520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for generating heat and electrical energy from aluminum waste and other inexpensive aluminum products
Assignee: Alcoa Corp
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Filing: 1979-03-16
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Granted: 1980-08-19
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Expires: 1999-03-16
Abstract
Abstract Aluminum pieces of various shapes and sizes, up to a certain maximum predetermined size, are introduced upon demand into a reaction chamber wherein they react with an aqueous electrolyte solution to generate heat, electricity, and an aluminum hydroxide reaction product. The aqueous electrolyte solution is usually strongly acidic or strongly alkaline, but the latter is preferred. The electricity may be generated either directly, with said reaction chamber comprising a packed-bed anode forming part of an electrochemical cell, or indirectly, by first generating hydrogen in said chamber, and thereafter consuming the hydrogen in a fuel cell. The heat generated in said chamber is carried away by a circulating fluid and used for space-heating and other applications. The aluminum hydroxide reaction product is removed from the system and recycled in the production of fresh aluminum.
Inventors
- 👤 Solomon Zaromb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 18:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/22; H01M8/225; C; C25; C25B; C25B5/00; H01M12/00; H01M12/04; H01M12/06; H01M12/065; H01M8/06; H01M8/0606; H01M8/065; H01M12/02; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M2004/024; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/36; Y02E60/50; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/10; Y02P20/129; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for generating heat and electrical energy from the consumption of a variety of aluminum products which comprises: (a) a reaction chamber containing aqueous electrolyte solution and adapted for introduction therein of aluminum pieces of various shapes and sizes up to a certain maximum predetermined size and for effecting a chemical reaction between said aqueous electrolyte and said aluminum pieces yielding an aluminum hydroxide reaction product; (b) means for feeding said aluminum pieces into said reaction chamber in small quantities upon demand; (c) means for removing the heat generated in said chamber as a result of said reaction; (d) means for removing said aluminum hydroxide reaction product; and (e) means for generating electricity as a by-product of said reaction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for generating heat and electrical energy from the consumption of a variety of aluminum products which comprises: (a) a reaction chamber containing aqueous electrolyte solution and adapted for introduction therein of aluminum pieces of various shapes and sizes up to a certain maximum predetermined size and for effecting a chemical reaction between said aqueous electrolyte and said aluminum pieces yielding an aluminum hydroxide reaction product; (b) means for feeding said aluminum pieces into said reaction chamber in small quantities upon demand; (c) means for removing the heat generated in said chamber as a result of said reaction; (d) means for removing said aluminum hydroxide reaction product; and (e) means for generating electricity as a by-product of said reaction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrolyte comprises between 2 and 10 moles/liter of potassium or sodium hydroxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for generating electricity comprises a current-collecting grid in which said aluminum pieces are retained so as to form a packed-bed anode forming part of an electrochemical cell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said electrolyte is caused to circulate and said aluminum pieces are fed from a supply hopper through a control valve into said circulating electrolyte and carried by said electrolyte into said packed-bed anode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the flow of said electrolyte through said packed-bed anode is substantially downward.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said aluminum pieces are thin and elongated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said control valve is actuated by a voltage-sensing circuit causing said aluminum pieces to be fed to said anode when the voltage of said cell falls below a predetermined range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said electrochemical cell also comprises an oxygen- or air-depolarized cathode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said electrolyte solution also contains an additive of the group consisting of stannate ions, gallate ions, indic hydroxide, thallous hydroxide, and mercuric oxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, also comprising means for removing lacquers and other insulating materials from the surfaces of a variety of aluminum objects and for reducing said aluminum objects to said maximum predetermined size.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for maintaining the temperature of said electrolyte solution below a maximum predetermined value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said chemical reaction is generating hydrogen and said means for generating electricity comprises means for feeding said hydrogen to a fuel cell.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, comprising means for storing said hydrogen as a metal hydride.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said electrochemical cell comprises a cathode which is depolarized by hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said electrochemical cell comprises a cathode which is depolarized by a halogen compound.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for generating electrical energy from the electrochemical consumption of aluminum, which comprises: (a) a reaction chamber containing an aqueous electrolyte solution and adapted for introduction therein of aluminum particles no larger than a certain maximum predetermined size and for effecting a chemical reaction between said aqueous electrolyte and said aluminum particles yielding an aluminum hydroxide reaction product; (b) means for feeding said aluminum particles into said reaction chamber upon demand; (c) means for removing the heat generated in said chamber as a result of said reaction; (d) means for removing said aluminum hydroxide reaction product; and (e) means for generating electricity as a by-product of said reaction, comprising a current-collecting grid-like structure in which said particles are retained so as to form a packed-bed anode of an electrochemical cell.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for generating electrical energy from the electrochemical consumption of aluminum, which comprises: (a) a reaction chamber containing an aqueous electrolyte solution and adapted for introduction therein of aluminum particles no larger than a certain maximum predetermined size and for effecting a chemical reaction between said aqueous electrolyte and said aluminum particles yielding an aluminum hydroxide reaction product; (b) means for feeding said aluminum particles into said reaction chamber upon demand; (c) means for removing the heat generated in said chamber as a result of said reaction; (d) means for removing said aluminum hydroxide reaction product; and (e) means for generating electricity as a by-product of said reaction, comprising a current-collecting grid-like structure in which said particles are retained so as to form a packed-bed anode of an electrochemical cell.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said aluminum particles are fed from a supply hopper through a control valve to said packed-bed anode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said control valve is actuated by a voltage-sensing circuit causing said aluminum particles to be fed to said anode when the voltage of said cell falls below a predetermined range.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said electrochemical cell also comprises an oxygen- or air-depolarized cathode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said electrolyte solution also contains an additive of the group consisting of stannate ions, gallate ions, indic hydroxide, thallous hydroxide, and mercuric oxide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-08-19 | 1984-02-18 | 1984-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-19 | 1988-02-18 | 1988-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-19 | 1992-02-18 | 1992-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |