An Aluminum Hypochlorite Electrochemical System

Abstract : The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell which has utility in propulsion systems of undersea vehicles. The electrochemical cell comprises an anode formed from an aluminum containing material, a cathode formed from a hypochlorite solution phase catholyte material, and an electrolyte. The electrolyte may be an aqueous alkaline solution, seawater, or an aqueous alkaline solution with seawater. The anode, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is formed from a bipolar electrode having an aluminum containing material and an electrocatalyst capable of carrying out the reduction of the hypochlorite.