Dual-functional energy storage systems that couple ion extraction and recovery with energy storage and release are provided. The dual-functional energy storage systems use ion-extraction and ion-recovery as charging processes. As the energy used for the ion extraction and ion recovery processes is not consumed, but rather stored in the system through the charging process, and the majority of the energy stored during charging can be recovered during discharging, the dual-functional energy storage systems perform useful functions, such as solution desalination or lithium-ion recovery with a minimal energy input, while storing and releasing energy like a conventional energy storage system.

A method for a redox flow battery includes using a cell of a redox flow battery to store electrical energy and discharge the stored electrical energy. The using includes circulating a first electrolyte solution through a first circulation loop in fluid connection with the first electrode of the cell; circulating a second electrolyte solution through a second circulation loop in fluid connection with the second electrode of the cell; and at least one of a first element from the first electrolyte solution in the first electrode permeates through the separator layer and precipitates as a first solid product in the second electrode and a second element from the second electrolyte solution permeates through the separator layer and precipitates a second solid product in the first electrode. The method also includes removing at least a portion of the first solid product or the second solid product from the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively.

The flow battery in an aspect of the present disclosure includes a first liquid containing a lithium ion and a first redox material, a first electrode in contact with the first liquid, a second electrode functioning as a counter electrode of the first electrode, an isolation unit that isolates the first electrode and the second electrode from each other, a first chamber, and a first circulation mechanism for circulating the first liquid between the first electrode and the first chamber, and in the flow battery, the first liquid is non-aqueous and the first circulation mechanism includes a magnetically driven pump.

A redox flow battery includes first and second cells. Each cell has electrodes and a separator layer arranged between the electrodes. A first circulation loop is fluidly connected with the first electrode of the first cell. A polysulfide electrolyte solution has a pH 11.5 or greater and is contained in the first recirculation loop. A second circulation loop is fluidly connected with the second electrode of the second cell. An iron electrolyte solution has a pH 3 or less and is contained in the second circulation loop. A third circulation loop is fluidly connected with the second electrode of the first cell and the first electrode of the second cell. An intermediator electrolyte solution is contained in the third circulation loop. The cells are operable to undergo reversible reactions to store input electrical energy upon charging and discharge the stored electrical energy upon discharging.

An electrochemical power system is provided that generates an electromotive force (EMF) from the catalytic reaction of hydrogen to lower energy (hydrino) states providing direct conversion of the energy released from the hydrino reaction into electricity, the system comprising at least two components chosen from: H.sub.2O catalyst or a source of H.sub.2O catalyst; atomic hydrogen or a source of atomic hydrogen; reactants to form the H.sub.2O catalyst or source of H.sub.2O catalyst and atomic hydrogen or source of atomic hydrogen; and one or more reactants to initiate the catalysis of atomic hydrogen. The electrochemical power system for forming hydrinos and electricity can further comprise a cathode compartment comprising a cathode, an anode compartment comprising an anode, optionally a salt bridge, reactants that constitute hydrino reactants during cell operation with separate electron flow and ion mass transport, and a source of hydrogen. Due to oxidation-reduction cell half reactions, the hydrino-producing reaction mixture is constituted with the migration of electrons through an external circuit and ion mass transport through a separate path such as the electrolyte to complete an electrical circuit. A power source and hydride reactor is further provided that powers a power system comprising (i) a reaction cell for the catalysis of atomic hydrogen to form hydrinos, (ii) a chemical fuel mixture comprising at least two components chosen from: a source of H.sub.2O catalyst or H.sub.2O catalyst; a source of atomic hydrogen or atomic hydrogen; reactants to form the source of H.sub.2O catalyst or H.sub.2O catalyst and a source of atomic hydrogen or atomic hydrogen; one or more reactants to initiate the catalysis of atomic hydrogen; and a support to enable the catalysis, (iii) thermal systems for reversing an exchange reaction to thermally regenerate the fuel from the reaction products, (iv) a heat sink that accepts the heat from the power-producing reactions, and (v) a power conversion system.

An electrode for use in an all-iron redox flow battery is provided. In one example, the electrode may include a plastic mesh; and a coating on the plastic mesh. The coating may be a hydrophilic coating or a conductive coating and the electrode may have an electrode reaction potential is less than 0.8V. Further, a method of manufacturing a coated plastic mesh electrode for use in an all-iron redox flow battery is provided. In one example method, the steps include fabricating a plastic mesh, treating the plastic mesh by applying a solvent treatment or a plasma treatment or a mechanical abrasion treatment; coating the plastic mesh with a material selected from: carbon inks, metal oxides, and hydrophilic polymers.

Systems and methods to overcome limited efficiency of energy storage and recovery processes in fuel cells are provided. The system include a particle regeneration subsystem for applying electrical energy to regenerate metallic particulate fuel; a fuel storage subsystem for storing metallic particulate fuel, the fuel storage subsystem in fluid communication with the particle regeneration subsystem; and a power generation subsystem for producing electrical energy from the metallic particulate fuel, the power generation subsystem in fluid communication with the fuel storage subsystem; a bearer electrolyte for transporting the metallic particulate fuel through the particle regeneration subsystem, the fuel storage subsystem and the power generation subsystem; and a control unit configured to independently control flow of the bearer electrolyte between the particle regeneration subsystem and the fuel storage subsystem, and the fuel storage subsystem and the power generation subsystem.

An electrode for use in an all-iron redox flow battery is provided. In one example, the electrode may include a plastic mesh; and a coating on the plastic mesh. The coating may be a hydrophilic coating or a conductive coating and the electrode may have an electrode reaction potential is less than 0.8V. Further, a method of manufacturing a coated plastic mesh electrode for use in an all-iron redox flow battery is provided. In one example method, the steps include fabricating a plastic mesh, treating the plastic mesh by applying a solvent treatment or a plasma treatment or a mechanical abrasion treatment; coating the plastic mesh with a material selected from: carbon inks, metal oxides, and hydrophilic polymers.

An individual solid oxide cell (SOC) constructed of a sandwich configuration including in the following order: an oxygen electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, a fuel electrode, a fuel manifold, and at least one layer of mesh. In one embodiment, the mesh supports a reforming catalyst resulting in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) having a reformer embedded therein. The reformer-modified SOFC functions internally to steam reform or partially oxidize a gaseous hydrocarbon, e.g. methane, to a gaseous reformate of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which is converted in the SOC to water, carbon dioxide, or a mixture thereof, and an electrical current. In another embodiment, an electrical insulator is disposed between the fuel manifold and the mesh resulting in a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC), which functions to electrolyze water and/or carbon dioxide.

An apparatus for storing hydrogen as protons and electrons separately. The apparatus includes a DC power supply; a proton generation and hydrogen recovery unit including a hydrogen tank adapted to contain hydrogen gas under pressure and in contact with one or more electrodes contained in the tank, with the one or more electrodes in electrical connection with the DC power supply; and an electron storage unit for storing electrons, with the electron storage unit in electrical connection with the DC power supply and separated from the proton generation and hydrogen recovery unit. In a proton generation mode the DC power supply is configured to catalyze oxidation of pressurized hydrogen in the hydrogen tank at the one or more electrodes to form and store protons on or near the one or more electrodes in the hydrogen tank and store generated electrons in the electron storage unit. In a hydrogen recovery mode the hydrogen protons on the one or more electrodes are converted to hydrogen under vacuum by recovering the electrons from the capacitor and adding these to the hydrogen protons, under condition for the hydrogen to leave a surface of the one or more electrodes as soon as it is formed and exits the hydrogen tank.