Uninterruptible flow power system consisting of a zinc-air cell and an organic electro-synthesis reactor

Abstract

An uninterruptible flow power system (UFPS) is proposed, which is comprised of a positive electrode for catalyzing the organic electro-oxidation, a communal negative electrode, and an air electrode for catalyzing the oxygen reduction and flow electrolytes. During electrolysis of the electro-synthesis reactor, the electrical capacity passed through the communal negative electrode is extracted by the zinc-air cell in order to deliver energy. Under the operation condition of successive organic electro-synthesis, this electrochemical system can be applied as an uninterrupted power source. Thus, the UFPS can be used for the organic electro-synthesis and discharge as power supply simultaneously or asynchronously. This paper demonstrates that the uninterruptible flow power system is feasible by utilizing the equilibrium of zinc deposition/dissolution on a perforated nickel-plated steel electrode with a propanol-oxidation electrode and an air electrode. Such combined electrochemical systems are capable of uninterrupted and stable operation with an energy efficiency of around 66%.