ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL HAVING A PLURALITY OF ELECTROLYTE FLOW AREAS

1 . An electrochemical cell, the cell comprising:

(a) a positive portion including a cathode and a catholyte half-cell and a negative portion including an anode and an anolyte half-cell, wherein at least one of the catholyte half-cell and the anolyte half-cell has a plurality of electrolyte flow areas; and

(b) an ion transfer membrane separating the positive portion and the negative portion.

2 . The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein both of the catholyte half-cell and the anolyte half-cell have a plurality of electrolyte flow areas.

3 . The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of electrolyte flow areas are in parallel configuration.

4 . The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of flow areas is in fluidic contact with a portion of the cathode or anode and a portion of the ion transfer membrane.

5 . The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of electrolyte flow areas is defined by a frame structure.

6 . The electrochemical cell of claim 5 , wherein the frame structure extends from the anode or cathode to the ion transfer membrane in either the catholyte or anolyte half-cell.

7 . The electrochemical cell of claim 5 , wherein the frame structure is made from a non-conductive material.

8 . The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of electrolyte flow areas is defined by the shape of a porous material.

9 . The electrochemical cell of claim 8 , wherein the porous material is selected from the group consisting of carbon felt and carbon foam.

10 . The electrochemical cell of claim 8 , wherein the shape of the porous material is determined by slots or other cuts that are non-continuous.

11 . The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the electrochemical cell has a length and a width and the electrolyte flow distance in each of the electrolyte flow areas is a portion of the shortest of the length and/or width of the electrochemical cell.

12 . The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the electrochemical cell has a radius and the electrolyte flow distance in each of the electrolyte flow areas is a portion of the radius of the electrochemical cell.

13 . The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrolyte flow areas are fluidly separated from each other, each having discrete inlets and outlets.

14 . The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrolyte flow areas are not fluidly separated from each other.

15 . The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the inlets and outlets to the plurality of electrolyte flow areas are located inside the electrochemical cell.

16 . The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the inlets and outlets to the plurality of electrolyte flow areas are located outside the electrochemical cell.

17 . The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the width to length ratio of each electrolyte flow area is in the range of 2:1 to 100:1.

18 . The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the number of electrolyte flow areas in the catholyte flow chamber or the anolyte flow chamber is in the range of 2 to 100.

19 . An electrochemical cell, comprising:

(a) a positive portion including a cathode and at least one catholyte flow area;

(b) a negative portion including an anode and at least one anolyte flow area;

(c) an ion transfer membrane separating the catholyte and anolyte half-cells, wherein at least one of the catholyte and anolyte half-cells includes a plurality of electrolyte flow areas; and

(d) at least one positive current collector in contact with the cathode and at least one negative current collector in contact with the anode.

20 . An electrochemical stack including at least first and second electrochemical cells, each electrochemical cell comprising:

(a) a positive portion including a cathode and at least one catholyte flow area;

(b) a negative portion including an anode and at least one anolyte flow area; and

(c) an ion transfer membrane separating the catholyte and anolyte half-cells, wherein at least one of the catholyte and anolyte half-cells includes a plurality of electrolyte flow areas.

21 . The electrochemical stack of claim 20 , further comprising an anolyte delivery manifold configured to distribute liquid anolyte to the first and second electrochemical cells.

22 . The electrochemical stack of claim 20 , further comprising an anolyte return manifold configured to accept liquid anolyte after passing through the first and second electrochemical cells.

23 . The electrochemical stack of claim 20 , further comprising a catholyte delivery manifold configured to distribute liquid catholyte to the first and second electrochemical cells.

24 . The electrochemical stack of claim 20 , further comprising a catholyte return manifold configured to accept liquid catholyte after passing through the first and second electrochemical cells.

25 . The electrochemical stack of claim 20 , wherein the first and second electrochemical cells are electrically connected in series.

26 . The electrochemical stack of claim 20 , wherein the first and second electrochemical cells are arranged fluidically in parallel.

27 . A method of operating an electrochemical cell, the method comprising:

(a) flowing catholyte in a catholyte half-cell and flowing anolyte in an anolyte half-cell, wherein at least one of the catholyte and anolyte flow areas includes a plurality of electrolyte flow areas;

(b) separating the catholyte and anolyte flow areas of the catholyte and anolyte half-cells using an ion transfer membrane; and

(c) collecting current from the electrochemical cell.