Design and optimization of thermo-electrochemical cells

• DOI: 10.1007/s10800-013-0638-y
• Publication Date: 2013-10-21T06:14:41Z
• Authors: Pablo F. Salazar; Satish Kumar; Baratunde A. Cola
• Keywords: Energy transformation; Electrochemical energy conversion; Potassium ferrocyanide

Thermo-electrochemical cells (or thermocells) convert thermal energy to electricity in continuous operation based on a balance of ion conduction and redox reactions at hot and cold electrodes. In this study, the fundamental governing equations for mass and heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and electrokinetics in thermocells are presented and solved numerically using COMSOL. A parametric study is performed to explore the limitations and optimal cell dimensions for maximum energy conversion efficiency in thermocells. Series-stacking designs are demonstrated to have the potential to increase conversion efficiency by 100 % compared to a single cell configuration. Natural convection is shown to significantly increase the conversion efficiency of thermocells with conventional aqueous electrolyte (0.4 M potassium ferri/ferrocyanide), by compressing the diffusive boundary layers. A flow cell thermocell design is also considered. Results reveal that the ohmic resistance of the electrolyte limits the energy conversion efficiency of this design.