Can you make a battery with two gasses?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of creating a battery using a tank of hydrogen and a tank of oxygen. The question of how to define a battery is raised, as well as whether a fuel cell using two tanks should be considered a battery. The idea of a gas phase battery is also brought up, with the comparison to a thundercloud and its plasma discharge. It is suggested to combine the two tanks and the fuel cell in a single box to create a battery-like device.
  • #1
Thecla
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TL;DR Summary
making a battery with gasses instead of metal plates
You can make a fuel cell with hydrogen and oxygen gas, but can you make a battery with a tank of hydrogen and a tank of oxygen?
 
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  • #2
How do you define "battery"? Or why the fuel cell with two tanks doesn't count?
 
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  • #3
something similar to car battery. everything is stationary. sort of a gas phase battery
 
  • #4
A thundercloud is a big battery made of gas. From memory, the light, positive ions move to the top of the cloud, and the heavy negative ions move to the bottom. The plasma discharge of the gas is the lightbulb flashing on for a moment.
 
  • #5
Put two tanks and the fuel cell in a single box. You can't say from the outside what is inside, it doesn't behave differently than a chemical battery, so I am ready to call it a battery.
 

1. Can you really make a battery with just two gases?

Yes, it is possible to make a battery with just two gases. This type of battery is called a redox flow battery and it uses two different gases to store and release energy.

2. What are the two gases used in a redox flow battery?

The two gases used in a redox flow battery are typically oxygen and hydrogen. These gases are stored in separate tanks and are then combined in a fuel cell to produce electricity.

3. How does a redox flow battery work?

A redox flow battery works by using a reversible chemical reaction between the two gases. When the battery is charging, the gases are converted into liquid form and stored in separate tanks. When the battery is discharging, the liquids are pumped back into the fuel cell where they react to produce electricity.

4. What are the advantages of using a redox flow battery?

One of the main advantages of a redox flow battery is its scalability. These batteries can be easily scaled up or down depending on the energy demands, making them suitable for a variety of applications. They also have a longer lifespan compared to traditional batteries and can be recharged quickly.

5. Are there any limitations to using a redox flow battery?

One limitation of using a redox flow battery is its lower energy density compared to traditional batteries. This means that it may require more space to store the same amount of energy. Additionally, the cost of these batteries is currently higher than traditional batteries, although it is expected to decrease as the technology advances.

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