Flow cell stack

1. A stacked cell, comprising:

a first electrode component, the first electrode component having flat surfaces on both sides, electrolyte passages through the flat surfaces, and an electrode rigidly attached in an opening;

a second electrode component, the second electrode component being identical with the first electrode component;

a first gasket, the first gasket including a first electrolyte access channel formed in a first surface of the first gasket, the first electrolyte access channel coupling first electrolyte flow manifold holes formed in the first gasket to a first gasket interior opening;

a second gasket, the second gasket being identical with the first gasket rotated on an axis perpendicular to the first surface by 180° to provide a second electrolyte access channel coupling second electrolyte flow manifold holes to a second gasket interior opening; and

a membrane component, the membrane component having flat surfaces on both sides, electrolyte passages through the flat surfaces, and a membrane rigidly attached in an opening,

wherein the membrane component is positioned between the first electrode component and the second electrode component and separated from the first electrode component by the first gasket and separated from the second electrode component by the second gasket,

wherein the electrolyte passages of the first electrode component, electrolyte passages of the second electrode component, and electrolyte passages of the membrane component are aligned with the first electrolyte flow manifold holes of the first gasket and the second electrolyte flow manifold holes of the second gasket to form first and second electrolyte manifolds, and

wherein the first electrolyte access channel of the first gasket allows flow of a first electrolyte from the first electrolyte flow manifold between the first electrode component and the membrane and the second electrolyte access channel of the second gasket allows flow of a second electrolyte from the second electrolyte flow manifold between the membrane and the second electrode component;

wherein the first and second gaskets are formed of a thermoplastic rubber;

wherein each of the first and second gaskets further comprise a plurality of relief holes to limit thermal expansion in the first and second gaskets.

2. The stacked cell of claim 1 , further including at least one other electrode component, the other electrode component separated from the second electrode component by a third gasket, another membrane component, and a fourth gasket, the third gasket being identical with the first gasket and the fourth gasket being identical with the second gasket.

3. The stacked cell of claim 2 , where the first gasket and the second gasket are formed of a rubber compound that seals against the first electrolyte and the second electrolyte when tension is applied to the stacked cell.

4. The stacked cell of claim 1 , wherein the first gasket includes a second electrolyte manifold hole, the second gasket includes a first electrolyte manifold hole, and at least one of the first electrode component or second component have fluid access holes that are aligned to form manifolds for the delivery of the first electrolyte and the second electrolyte through the stacked cell.

5. The stacked cell of claim 4 , wherein the stacked cell is fixed with a plurality of rods.

6. The stacked cell of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of rods holds pressure on the stacked cell in order to facilitate sealing between the first gasket and the second gasket and adjacent electrode components and membrane components.

7. The stacked cell of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of rods are mounted with spring loaded mounts.

8. The stacked cell of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic rubber is Santoprene.

9. A method of forming a stacked cell, comprising:

providing a first electrode component, the first electrode component having flat surfaces on both sides, electrolyte passages through the flat surfaces, and an electrode rigidly attached in an opening;

positioning a first gasket over the first electrode component, the first gasket including a first electrolyte access channel formed in a first surface of the first gasket, the first electrolyte access channel coupling first electrolyte flow manifold holes formed in the first gasket to a first gasket interior opening;

positioning a membrane component over the first gasket, the membrane component having flat surfaces on both sides, electrolyte passages through the flat surfaces, and a membrane rigidly attached in an opening;

positioning a second gasket over the membrane component, the second gasket being identical with the first gasket rotated on an axis perpendicular to the first surface by 180° to provide a second electrolyte access channel coupling second electrolyte flow manifold holes to a second gasket interior opening;

positioning a second electrode component over the first gasket, the second electrode component being identical with the first electrode component;

applying tension to the stacked cell;

annealing the stacked cell; and

tensioning the stacked cell;

wherein the membrane component is positioned between the first electrode component and the second electrode component and separated from the first electrode component by the first gasket and separated from the second electrode component by the second gasket,

wherein the electrolyte passages of the first electrode component, electrolyte passages of the second electrode component, and electrolyte passages of the membrane component are aligned with the first electrolyte flow manifold holes of the first gasket and the second electrolyte flow manifold holes of the second gasket to form first and second electrolyte manifolds, and

wherein the first electrolyte access channel of the first gasket allows flow of a first electrolyte from the first electrolyte flow manifold between the first electrode component and the membrane and the second electrolyte access channel of the second gasket allows flow of a second electrolyte from the second electrolyte flow manifold between the membrane and the second electrode component;

wherein the first and second gaskets are formed of a thermoplastic rubber;

wherein each of the first and second gaskets further comprise a plurality of relief holes to limit thermal expansion in the first and second gaskets.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first gasket and the second gasket are formed of Santoprene.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the stacked cell includes a number N of individual cells, each cell being formed by two electrodes and a membrane separated by gaskets.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein applying tension and tensioning the stacked cell include tightening a plurality of spring-loaded mounts on rods positioned through the stacked cell.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein positioning includes placing over the rods.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first gasket and the second gasket facilitate appropriate flow of electrolytes through the stacked cell.