HALOGEN-BASED THERMO-ELECTROCHEMICAL CONVERTER

A method of generating electrical energy using an electrochemical direct heat to electricity converter operating on the Rankine cycle is provided. The converter includes a working fluid, a high temperature electrochemical cell including a first membrane electrode assembly, a low temperature electrochemical cell including a second membrane electrode assembly, an evaporator coupled to the first electrochemical cell, a condenser coupled to the second electrochemical cell, and an external load. The method involves introducing the working fluid at the first membrane electrode assembly as a liquid, expanding the working fluid through the first membrane electrode assembly and evaporating it into a vapor, and cooling and condensing the vapor back into a liquid at the second membrane electrode assembly.