Electrolyte cooling device for long-cycle operation of flow battery

Abstract

The utility model discloses an electrolyte cooling device for long-cycle operation of a flow battery, and aims to solve the problems of ionic membrane expansion and electrolyte migration caused by electrolyte temperature rise in a long-term cycle experiment process of the flow battery, and the problems of electrolyte interruption and invalid experiment caused by insufficient electrolyte amount. The device mainly comprises an electrolyte container, a cooling liquid channel, a pump, a temperature sensor, a liquid level measuring rod, an alarm and the like. And the cooling liquid channel is wound on the outer side of the electrolyte container and is connected with the cooling liquid container through a cooling liquid inlet pipe and a cooling liquid outlet pipe. When the temperature in the electrolyte container exceeds a preset value (such as 45 DEG C), the temperature sensor starts the pump, and the cooling liquid is pumped into the cooling liquid channel to reduce the temperature of the electrolyte. In addition, a liquid level measuring rod is arranged at the top of the electrolyte container, and when the electrolyte amount is insufficient, the liquid level measuring rod can trigger an alarm to remind a worker to supplement the electrolyte in time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of liquid flow batteries, in particular to an electrolyte cooling device for long-cycle operation of liquid flow batteries. Background Art

[0002] As an important energy storage technology, flow batteries are widely used in peak-shaving power stations, large-scale photovoltaic conversion, wind power generation energy storage systems, and power supply systems in remote areas. They can also be used as uninterruptible power supplies or emergency power supplies. Flow batteries have become an important component of the clean energy sector due to their zero pollution emissions, flexible and adjustable capacity, long cycle life, support for deep high current density discharge, fast charging, and high energy conversion efficiency. In an all-vanadium flow battery system, the electrolyte is stored in the positive and negative electrode tanks respectively, and flows between the stack and the tanks through a circulation pump. Redox reactions occur on the electrode surface to achieve energy storage and release.

[0003] However, when conducting long-term cycle experiments, which usually require continuous operation for 1-2 months, the electrolyte temperature gradually rises with repeated charge and discharge tests. Excessive temperatures can cause the ion exchange membrane to expand, exacerbating ion migration. Especially after hundreds of cycles, the negative electrode electrolyte may migrate to the positive electrode in large quantities, reducing the active material and affecting battery performance. In addition, when the volume of electrolyte in the tank decreases due to consumption and the liquid level drops to a predetermined level, if new electrolyte is not replenished in time, a liquid shortage may occur. Especially at night when visibility is poor, it is difficult for staff to detect, rendering the experiment invalid. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to make up for the above-mentioned shortcomings, the utility model provides an electrolyte cooling device for long-cycle operation of liquid flow batteries. The device reduces the electrolyte temperature by automatically controlling the circulation of the coolant, and avoids the occurrence of liquid shortage by monitoring the liquid level, thereby improving the reliability and effectiveness of the liquid flow battery system during long-term operation.

[0005] The utility model is realized through the following technical scheme: an electrolyte cooling device for long-cycle operation of a liquid flow battery, comprising an electrolyte container, a liquid outlet pipe and a liquid return pipe connected to the electrolyte container, characterized in that: a cooling liquid channel is provided on the outer side of the electrolyte container and is wound around it, and a cooling liquid inlet and a cooling liquid outlet are provided on the cooling liquid channel; the cooling liquid inlet and the cooling liquid outlet are connected to the cooling liquid container through a cooling liquid inlet pipe and a cooling liquid outlet pipe respectively; a pump is also provided on the cooling liquid inlet pipe; an electrolyte container cover is provided on the top of the electrolyte container, and a liquid level measuring rod, an alarm connected to the liquid level measuring rod, and a temperature sensor for controlling the opening or closing of the pump are provided on the electrolyte container cover; the liquid outlet pipe and the liquid return pipe are fixed on the electrolyte container cover.

[0006] Furthermore, a coolant container cover is provided on the top of the coolant container, and the coolant inlet pipe and the coolant outlet pipe are fixed on the coolant container cover.

[0007] Furthermore, a liquid filling port is provided on the coolant container cover.

[0008] Furthermore, it also includes a control unit and a relay module; the temperature sensor is connected to the control unit through a wire, and the control unit is connected to the pump through the relay module.

[0009] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0010] Automatic temperature control: When the temperature inside the electrolyte container exceeds the set value (for example, 45°C), the temperature sensor triggers the pump to pump coolant into the coolant channel. The S-shaped coolant path efficiently and evenly reduces the electrolyte temperature, preventing ion membrane expansion and electrolyte component migration caused by excessive temperature, thereby maintaining the overall stability of the battery performance.

[0011] Electrolyte level monitoring and early warning: When the electrolyte volume in the electrolyte container decreases to the preset minimum liquid level line, the liquid level measuring rod will detect this change and sound an alarm through the alarm, prompting the operator to replenish or replace the electrolyte in time to prevent the problem of liquid shortage caused by insufficient electrolyte, thereby avoiding the risk of invalid experiments caused by the failure to detect the liquid shortage in time at night or under other conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the overall structure of the utility model.

[0013] Explanation of the main component numbers in the figure: 1. Electrolyte container; 101. Electrolyte container cover; 2. Coolant channel; 201. Coolant inlet; 202. Coolant outlet; 3. Liquid level measuring rod; 301. Alarm; 4. Temperature sensor; 401. Wire; 5. Pump; 6. Coolant inlet pipe; 7. Coolant outlet pipe; 8. Coolant container; 801. Coolant container cover; 802. Liquid filling port; 9. Coolant; 10. Liquid outlet pipe; 11. Liquid return pipe.

[0014] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work. The other drawings obtained are all within the scope of protection required by the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The following combination Figure 1 , the contents of the utility model are described in detail through specific embodiments. Example

[0016] The electrolyte cooling device for long-cycle operation of a flow battery includes an electrolyte container 1, an outlet pipe 10 and a return pipe 11 connected to the electrolyte container, wherein: a cooling liquid channel 2 is provided on the outside of the electrolyte container and is wound around it, and a cooling liquid inlet 201 and a cooling liquid outlet 202 are provided on the cooling liquid channel; the cooling liquid inlet and the cooling liquid outlet are connected to the cooling liquid container through a cooling liquid inlet pipe 6 and a cooling liquid outlet pipe 7 respectively; a pump 5 is also provided on the cooling liquid inlet pipe; an electrolyte container cover 101 is provided on the top of the electrolyte container, and a liquid level measuring rod 3, an alarm 301 connected to the liquid level measuring rod, and a temperature sensor 4 for controlling the opening or closing of the pump are provided on the electrolyte container cover; the outlet pipe and the return pipe are fixed to the electrolyte container cover.

[0017] Preferably, a coolant container cover 801 is provided on the top of the coolant container for sealing the coolant container, and the coolant inlet pipe and the coolant outlet pipe are fixed on the coolant container cover.

[0018] In order to facilitate adding coolant into the coolant container, a liquid filling port 802 is further provided on the coolant container cover.

[0019] Electrolyte container 1: used to store electrolyte of flow battery;

[0020] Liquid outlet pipe 10 and liquid return pipe 11: connected to the electrolyte container, used for circulation of the electrolyte;

[0021] Cooling liquid channel 2: arranged outside the electrolyte container and wound around it, the channel is provided with a cooling liquid inlet 201 and a cooling liquid outlet 202, and is used to guide the cooling liquid to flow around the electrolyte container to achieve a cooling effect;

[0022] The coolant inlet pipe 6 and the coolant outlet pipe 7 are connected to the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet, respectively, and are finally connected to the coolant container 8;

[0023] Pump 5: installed on the coolant inlet pipe, used to drive the circulation of coolant 9;

[0024] Electrolyte container cover 101: located on the top of the electrolyte container, integrating multiple functional components;

[0025] Liquid level measuring rod 3: used to detect the liquid level of the electrolyte;

[0026] Alarm 301: connected to the liquid level measuring rod, triggering an alarm when the electrolyte level falls below a preset position;

[0027] Temperature sensor 4: used to monitor the temperature inside the electrolyte container and connected to the control unit via wire 401. The control unit is responsible for processing temperature data and controlling the operation of the pump;

[0028] Coolant container cover 801: located on the top of the coolant container, used to close the coolant container, the coolant inlet pipe and the coolant outlet pipe are fixed here;

[0029] Liquid filling port 802: provided on the cover of the coolant container, for the convenience of adding coolant into the coolant container.

[0030] To enable the temperature sensor to control the pump's on / off state and the liquid level measuring rod to control the alarm, the present invention also includes a control unit and a relay module. The temperature sensor is connected to the control unit via wires, which in turn is connected to the pump via the relay module. By controlling the relay's opening and closing, the pump's power supply is turned on and off, thereby controlling its start and stop. Similarly, the liquid level measuring rod is also connected to the control unit, which is responsible for transmitting signals to and from the alarm.

[0031] The operating process of this utility model:

[0032] Preparation before startup

[0033] Adding coolant: Add enough coolant into the coolant container through the filling port on the coolant container cover to ensure that the cooling system can operate normally.

[0034] Electrolyte Fill: Add the required electrolyte to the electrolyte container and confirm that the liquid level is within the specified operating range.

[0035] System inspection: Check whether all connections are firm, especially the connections between the coolant inlet pipe, coolant outlet pipe and the coolant container and electrolyte container cover; confirm that the pump, temperature sensor, liquid level measuring rod and other components are installed correctly and are in working condition.

[0036] Normal operation

[0037] Temperature Monitoring: A temperature sensor monitors the temperature inside the electrolyte container in real time. If it detects a temperature exceeding a set threshold (e.g., 45°C), it sends a signal to the control unit. Upon receiving the signal, the control unit activates the pump via the relay module, pumping coolant from the coolant container through the coolant inlet pipe and into the coolant channel. The coolant flows through the coolant channel, forming an S-shaped winding path and coming into close contact with the electrolyte container wall, removing heat and lowering the electrolyte temperature. When the electrolyte temperature drops to a safe range, the temperature sensor sends another signal to the control unit, which in turn stops the pump via the relay module, halting coolant circulation.

[0038] Liquid Level Monitoring: A level gauge monitors the liquid level in the electrolyte container in real time. If the level drops below a preset lower limit, the gauge sends a signal to the control unit. The control unit activates an alarm, sounding a warning to prompt the operator to replenish the electrolyte promptly, preventing electrolyte shortages.

Claims

1. An electrolyte cooling device for long-cycle operation of a flow battery, comprising an electrolyte container, a liquid outlet pipe and a liquid return pipe connected to the electrolyte container, characterized in that: A cooling liquid channel is provided on the outside of the electrolyte container and is wound around it. A cooling liquid inlet and a cooling liquid outlet are provided on the cooling liquid channel. The cooling liquid inlet and the cooling liquid outlet are connected to the cooling liquid container through a cooling liquid inlet pipe and a cooling liquid outlet pipe respectively. A pump is also provided on the cooling liquid inlet pipe. An electrolyte container cover is provided on the top of the electrolyte container. The electrolyte container cover is provided with a liquid level measuring rod, an alarm connected to the liquid level measuring rod, and a temperature sensor for controlling the opening or closing of the pump. The liquid outlet pipe and the liquid return pipe are fixed on the electrolyte container cover.

2. The electrolyte cooling device for long-cycle operation of a flow battery according to claim 1, characterized in that: A coolant container cover is provided on the top of the coolant container, and the coolant inlet pipe and the coolant outlet pipe are fixed on the coolant container cover.

3. The electrolyte cooling device for long-cycle operation of a flow battery according to claim 2, characterized in that: The coolant container cover is also provided with a liquid filling port.

4. The electrolyte cooling device for long-cycle operation of a flow battery according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a control unit and a relay module; the temperature sensor is connected to the control unit through a wire, and the control unit is connected to the pump through the relay module.

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