Heating using electrochemical power source
A thermal management system and a method of heating a water-surface load or sub-water load. The system includes an electrochemical power source which generates electrical power and heat as a byproduct or coproduct. The electrolyte contained in the electrochemical power source is configured to transport the heat that is generated by the electrochemical power source to at least one water-surface load or sub-water load.
1. A thermal management system, the system comprising:
an electrochemical power source configured to simultaneously generate electrical power and generate heat as a byproduct or coproduct, wherein the electrochemical power source contains an electrolyte; and
the electrolyte configured to transport the heat that is generated by the electrochemical power source to at least one water-surface load or sub-water load; and
a heat exchanger in communication with the electrochemical power source and the water-surface load or sub-water load, wherein the heat exchanger comprises:
a first channel configured to receive the electrolyte and return it to the electrochemical power source after circulating the electrolyte past a second channel, and
the second channel is proximate to the first channel, wherein the second channel contains a fluid, such that the heat from the electrolyte can transfer to the fluid in the second channel.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pump device to at least assist in transporting the electrolyte to the at least one water-surface load or sub-water load.
3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a waste management system configured to remove precipitate byproduct of the electrochemical power source, wherein the waste management system comprises a porous media.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the heat is transported by direct conduction.
5. The system of claim 4 , further comprising aluminum plates configured to transport heat from the electrochemical power source to the water-surface load or sub-water load by direct conduction.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electrochemical power source is suspended in a compartment adjacent to the at least one water-surface load or sub-water load.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the water-surface load or sub-water load is a diver suit.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electrochemical power source comprises at least one aluminum-water fuel cell.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the heat is transported to the water-surface load or the sub-water load via at least one of radiation or convection.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electrochemical power source comprises:
a cell stack having at least two cells; and
a balance of plant,
wherein the cells are radially arranged around the balance of plant.
11. A method of heating a water-surface load or a sub-water load, the method comprising:
generating electricity via an electrochemical power source, wherein the electrochemical power source contains an electrolyte;
simultaneously generating heat, via the electrochemical power source, as a byproduct or coproduct; and
transporting the heat to at least one sub-water load or water-surface load via the electrolyte by using a heat exchanger in communication with the electrochemical power source and the water-surface load or sub-water load, wherein the heat exchanger comprises:
a first channel configured to receive the electrolyte and return it to the electrochemical power source after circulating the electrolyte past a second channel, and
the second channel is proximate to the first channel, wherein the second channel contains a fluid, such that the heat from the electrolyte can transfer to the fluid in the second channel.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the heat is transported to the at least one sub-water load or water surface load via a pump device.
13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising directing the fluid to the at least one sub-water load or water surface load.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the heat is transported to the water-surface load or the sub-water load via at least one of radiation or convection.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the heat is transported to the water-surface load or the sub-water load via conduction.
16. A method of heating a water-surface load or a sub-water load, the method comprising:
generating electricity via an electrochemical power source, wherein the electrochemical power source contains an electrolyte;
simultaneously generating heat, via the electrochemical power source, as a byproduct or coproduct;
sensing the temperature of at least one sub-water load or water-surface load via the electrolyte; and
transporting the heat to the at least one sub-water load or water-surface load when the temperature of the at least one sub-water load or water-surface load is between a pre-determined temperature range by using a heat exchanger in communication with the electrochemical power source and the water-surface load or sub-water load, wherein the heat exchanger comprises:
a first channel configured to receive the electrolyte and return it to the electrochemical power source after circulating the electrolyte past a second channel, and
the second channel is proximate to the first channel, wherein the second channel contains a fluid, such that the heat from the electrolyte can transfer to the fluid in the second channel.