Method for operating a gravity potential and thermal energy integrated recovery device for a vanadium redox flow battery

Abstract

The application discloses an operating method of a gravity potential energy and heat energy integrated recovery device of a vanadium redox flow battery, and relates to the technical field of the vanadium red flow battery. The recovery device comprises an electrolyte storage tank, an electric pile and a shell. The electrolyte storage tank is communicated with the electric pile above the electrolyte storage tank through a liquid supply pipe. A circulating pump is installed on the liquid supply pipe. The electric pile is communicated with the shell below the electric pile through a liquid outlet pipe. A reflux pipe for communicating with the electrolyte storage tank is arranged on the side of the bottom of the shell. A power generation mechanism for generating power through the gravity potential energy of electrolyte flow is arranged in an electrolyte heat exchange cavity of the shell. A heat exchange mechanism for heat exchanging the electrolyte is arranged on the inner wall of the shell. The device can not only generate power by using the gravity potential energy of the electrolyte to supply the circulating pump, but also can realize the synchronous heat energy recovery during the self-power generation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of vanadium redox flow batteries, and specifically to an operating method for an integrated device for recovering gravitational potential energy and thermal energy from vanadium redox flow batteries. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, to reduce the footprint of vanadium redox flow battery (VRB) energy storage power stations, power unit containers are typically stacked on top of capacity unit containers. In VRB systems, the electrolyte is first pumped to the power unit's stack for redox reactions using an electrolyte circulation pump. However, existing VRB systems fail to utilize the gravitational potential energy of the electrolyte after the redox reaction in the power unit. During charging and discharging, the circulation pump must continuously pump the electrolyte to the stack for the reaction, and this pump relies on external power, resulting in significant energy loss and hindering the reduction of auxiliary power consumption. Furthermore, the oxidation reaction in the VRB generates considerable heat. Excessive or insufficient temperature can cause vanadium ion precipitation, leading to stack blockage and safety hazards. Therefore, a separate heat exchanger is needed to heat the electrolyte and ensure safe operation. While heat exchangers are typically used to exchange heat with the electrolyte entering the stack, the heat is directly discharged into the atmosphere through air conditioning units, failing to utilize waste heat. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an operation method for an integrated vanadium redox flow battery gravitational potential energy and thermal energy recovery device, so as to overcome the above-mentioned defects in the prior art.

[0004] An operating method for an integrated vanadium redox flow battery gravitational potential energy and thermal energy recovery device includes an electrolyte storage tank, a battery stack, and a shell. The electrolyte storage tank is connected to the battery stack above it via a supply pipe. A circulation pump is installed on the supply pipe. The battery stack is connected to the shell below it via an outlet pipe. A return pipe connected to the electrolyte storage tank is provided on the side of the bottom of the shell.

[0005] The electrolyte heat exchange chamber of the shell is equipped with a power generation mechanism that generates electricity using the gravitational potential energy of the electrolyte flowing down.

[0006] The inner wall of the shell is provided with a heat exchange mechanism for exchanging heat with the electrolyte.

[0007] Preferably, the power generation mechanism includes a generator, a primary booster impeller, a flow direction adjustment component, and a secondary impeller assembly. The generator is installed in a buffer shell communicating with the housing at the top of the housing. The primary booster impeller is installed on the main shaft of the generator. Several flow direction adjustment components are provided and located on the side of the buffer shell. The secondary impeller assembly is located at the lower end of the main shaft of the generator.

[0008] Preferably, the flow direction adjustment assembly includes a flow direction adjustment motor and adjustment blades. The flow direction adjustment motor is mounted on a fixed base on the outside of the buffer shell. The output shaft of the flow direction adjustment motor is connected to a blade shaft through a coupling. The adjustment blades are located inside the buffer shell and are disposed on the blade shaft.

[0009] Preferably, the secondary impeller assembly includes a bearing housing, a blade adjusting shaft, side blades, and a blade adjusting motor. Several bearing housings are evenly distributed from top to bottom, and adjacent bearing housings are connected by pins. The uppermost bearing housing is bolted to the lower end of the generator's main shaft, and the lowermost bearing housing is rotatably connected to a fixed bearing seat via a thrust bearing. The fixed bearing seat is bolted to a cooler partition at the bottom of the housing. The blade adjusting shaft is rotatably connected to the bearing housing. Several side blades are rotatably connected to the side of the bearing housing via a rotating shaft. A driven bevel gear mounted on the inner end of the rotating shaft meshes with a driving bevel gear on the blade adjusting shaft. The blade adjusting motor is located in the fixed bearing seat, and its output shaft is connected to the blade adjusting shaft via a coupling.

[0010] Preferably, the heat exchange mechanism includes a heat exchange tube, a cold water inlet pipe, a temperature regulating pipe, and a hot water outlet pipe. The heat exchange tube is located in the shell. The cold water inlet pipe is connected to the inlet of the heat exchange tube and is equipped with a control valve one. The outlet of the heat exchange tube is connected to the hot water outlet pipe and is equipped with a control valve two. The inlet of the temperature regulating pipe is connected to the cold water inlet pipe between the control valve one and the inlet of the heat exchange tube. The outlet of the temperature regulating pipe is connected to the hot water outlet pipe between the control valve two and the outlet of the heat exchange tube. A temperature sensor is installed on the hot water outlet pipe between the outlet of the heat exchange tube and the outlet of the temperature regulating pipe. Control valve three and control valve four are respectively provided at both ends of the temperature regulating pipe.

[0011] Preferably, the circulating pump is electrically connected to the regulator, a control valve five is installed on the liquid supply pipe between the fuel cell stack and the circulating pump, a pressure sensor is installed on the liquid supply pipe between the control valve five and the circulating pump, and a control valve six is ​​installed on the liquid supply pipe between the circulating pump and the electrolyte storage tank.

[0012] Preferably, a flow regulating valve is installed on the outlet pipe, and the flow regulating valve is electrically connected to the regulator.

[0013] Preferably, the generator and the flow direction regulating motor are electrically connected to the regulator, and the generator's power transmission end is electrically connected to the battery.

[0014] Preferably, a control valve seven is installed on the return pipe.

[0015] The present invention has the following advantages:

[0016] 1. The integrated gravitational potential energy and thermal energy recovery device can not only generate electricity using the gravitational potential energy of the electrolyte to supply the circulating pump, but also realize the simultaneous recovery of thermal energy during the self-generation process.

[0017] 2. Gravitational potential energy self-generated electricity can supply part of the power consumption of the circulating pump, reducing external power consumption; the hot water obtained from heat recovery can be used for bathing or heating, realizing the reuse of waste heat, and the disturbance of the impeller device of the self-generating device can enhance the heat exchange effect of the hot and cold media. The recovery of gravitational potential energy and heat energy can significantly reduce the auxiliary power consumption of the vanadium redox flow storage system, thereby improving the energy conversion efficiency of the energy storage system.

[0018] 3. The self-generating unit is designed with a three-stage speed control system. Stage 1: The flow rate of electrolyte entering the generating unit is controlled by adjusting the opening of the flow regulating valve via a regulator. Stage 2: The electrolyte flow rate is further increased by a primary booster impeller, and the flow direction of the electrolyte entering the impeller assembly is further adjusted by controlling the motor via a regulator. Stage 3: The blade adjustment motor is controlled by a regulator to adjust the opening and closing angle of the blades in the generating unit, thereby controlling the blade speed and the bearing speed to regulate the power generation. This system allows for adjustment of power generation based on the actual operating conditions of the circulating pump, achieving efficient and rapid power generation response.

[0019] 4. The pressure gauge reading of the liquid inlet line is fed back to the battery management system (BMS). The BMS will determine the liquid inlet volume based on the preset program and actual operating conditions, and then issue adjustment commands to the frequency converter of the circulating pump and the regulator of the generator to achieve efficient regulation of the circulating pump flow.

[0020] 5. By uploading the reading of the hot water outlet temperature sensor to the BMS, the BMS compares the real-time temperature value of the hot water with the initial temperature setting threshold. Once the set value is reached, the hot water outlet electric valve opens, and the hot water is taken out for further use. If the real-time temperature value of the hot water does not reach the temperature setting threshold, the return pipeline electric valve is opened to allow the cold medium to exchange heat with the electrolyte again until the requirements are met, at which point the hot water is taken out for use. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the power generation mechanism and heat exchange mechanism of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction.

[0024] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a section at point B.

[0025] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a section at point C.

[0026] Figure 6 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a section at point E in the middle.

[0027] The components include: 1. Electrolyte storage tank; 2. Supply pipe; 21. Circulation pump; 22. Control valve five; 23. Pressure sensor; 24. Control valve six; 3. Fuel cell stack; 4. Discharge pipe; 41. Flow regulating valve; 5. Housing; 51. Electrolyte heat exchange chamber; 6. Return pipe; 61. Control valve seven; 7. Power generation mechanism; 71. Generator; 711. Main shaft; 72. Buffer housing; 73. Primary booster impeller; 74. Flow direction adjustment assembly; 741. Flow direction adjustment motor; 742. Fixed base; 743. Blade shaft; 744. Adjusting blade; 75. 751. Secondary impeller assembly; 752. Bearing housing; 753. Thrust bearing; 754. Fixed bearing seat; 755. Cooler baffle; 755. Blade adjusting shaft; 7551. Driving bevel gear; 756. Rotating shaft; 7561. Driven bevel gear; 757. Side blades; 758. Blade adjusting motor; 8. Heat exchange mechanism; 81. Heat exchange tube; 82. Cold water inlet pipe; 83. Control valve one; 84. Hot water outlet pipe; 85. Control valve two; 86. Temperature regulating pipe; 87. Temperature sensor; 88. Control valve three; 89. Control valve four; 9. Regulator. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The following detailed description of the embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, will further illustrate the specific implementation of the present invention, in order to help those skilled in the art to have a more complete, accurate, and in-depth understanding of the concept and technical solutions of the present invention.

[0029] like Figure 1-6As shown, this invention provides an operation method for an integrated vanadium redox flow battery gravitational potential energy and thermal energy recovery device, including an electrolyte storage tank 1, a battery stack 3, and a housing 5. The electrolyte storage tank 1 is connected to the battery stack 3 above it via a supply pipe 2. A circulation pump 21 is installed on the supply pipe 2, and the circulation pump 21 is electrically connected to a regulator 9. A control valve 5 22 is installed on the supply pipe 2 between the battery stack 3 and the circulation pump 21. A pressure sensor 23 is installed on the supply pipe 2 between the control valve 5 22 and the circulation pump 21. The circulation pump 21 and the electrolyte storage tank 1 are connected... A control valve 24 is installed on the liquid supply pipe 2. The fuel cell stack 3 is connected to the housing 5 below it through the liquid outlet pipe 4. A flow regulating valve 41 is installed on the liquid outlet pipe 4. The flow regulating valve 41 is electrically connected to the regulator 9. A return pipe 6 connected to the electrolyte storage tank 1 is provided on the side of the bottom of the housing 5. A control valve 61 is installed on the return pipe 6. A power generation mechanism 7 is provided in the electrolyte heat exchange chamber 51 of the housing 5 to generate electricity by using the gravitational potential energy when the electrolyte flows down. A heat exchange mechanism 8 for exchanging heat with the electrolyte is provided on the inner wall of the housing 5.

[0030] It should be noted that the power generation mechanism 7 includes a generator 71, a primary booster impeller 73, a flow direction adjustment assembly 74, and a secondary impeller assembly 75. The generator 71 is installed in a buffer shell 72 at the top of the housing 5, which is connected to the housing 5. The generator 71 and the flow direction adjustment motor 741 are electrically connected to the regulator 9, and the power transmission end of the generator 71 is electrically connected to the battery. The primary booster impeller 73 is installed on the main shaft 711 of the generator 71. Several flow direction adjustment assemblies 74 are provided and are located on the side of the buffer shell 72. The secondary impeller assembly 75 is located at the lower end of the main shaft 711 of the generator 71.

[0031] In addition, the flow direction adjustment assembly 74 includes a flow direction adjustment motor 741 and an adjustment blade 744. The flow direction adjustment motor 741 is mounted on a fixed base 742 on the outside of the buffer shell 72. The output shaft of the flow direction adjustment motor 741 is connected to a blade shaft 743 through a coupling. The adjustment blade 744 is located inside the buffer shell 72 and is disposed on the blade shaft 743. The flow direction of the electrolyte is adjusted by the above arrangement.

[0032] Additionally, the secondary impeller assembly 75 includes a bearing housing 751, a blade adjusting shaft 755, side blades 757, and a blade adjusting motor 758. Several bearing housings 751 are evenly distributed from top to bottom, with adjacent bearing housings 751 connected by pins. The uppermost bearing housing 751 is bolted to the lower end of the main shaft 711 of the generator 71, and the lowermost bearing housing 751 is rotatably connected to a fixed bearing seat 753 via a thrust bearing 752. 3 is connected to the cooler partition 754 at the bottom of the housing 5 by bolts. The blade adjusting shaft 755 is rotatably connected to the bearing housing 751. Several side blades 757 are rotatably connected to the side of the bearing housing 751 by a rotating shaft 756. The driven bevel gear 7561 installed on the inner end of the rotating shaft 756 meshes with the driving bevel gear 7551 on the blade adjusting shaft 755. The blade adjusting motor 758 is located in the fixed bearing seat 753 and its output shaft is connected to the blade adjusting shaft 755 by a coupling.

[0033] Secondly, the heat exchange mechanism 8 includes a heat exchange tube 81, a cold water inlet pipe 82, a temperature regulating pipe 86, and a hot water outlet pipe 84. The heat exchange tube 81 is located in the housing 5. The cold water inlet pipe 82 is connected to the inlet of the heat exchange tube 81 and is equipped with a control valve 1 83. The outlet of the heat exchange tube 81 is connected to the hot water outlet pipe 84 and is equipped with a control valve 2 85. The inlet of the temperature regulating pipe 86 is connected to the cold water inlet pipe 82 between the control valve 1 83 and the inlet of the heat exchange tube 81. The outlet of the temperature regulating pipe 86 is connected to the hot water outlet pipe 84 between the control valve 2 85 and the outlet of the heat exchange tube 81. A temperature sensor 87 is installed on the hot water outlet pipe 84 between the outlet of the heat exchange tube 81 and the outlet of the temperature regulating pipe 86. Control valve 3 88 and control valve 4 89 are respectively provided at both ends of the temperature regulating pipe 86.

[0034] Detailed implementation methods and principles:

[0035] In practical application, the present invention opens control valve 22 and control valve 24 on the supply pipe 2, and the electrolyte is transported from the electrolyte storage tank 1 to the fuel cell stack 3 by the circulation pump 21 for oxidation-reduction reaction. The pressure sensor 23 on the supply pipe 2 monitors the pressure of the electrolyte in the supply pipe 2. After the oxidation-reduction reaction is completed in the fuel cell stack 3, the electrolyte enters the housing 5 through the outlet pipe 4. The regulator 9 regulates the flow rate of the electrolyte in the outlet pipe 4 through the flow regulating valve 41 on the outlet pipe 4. The electrolyte drives the primary booster impeller 73 on the main shaft 711 of the generator 71 to rotate, thereby driving the main shaft 711 of the generator 71 to rotate. The flow direction adjustment component 74 adjusts the direction of the adjusting blades 744 through the output shaft of the flow direction adjustment motor 741. The electrolyte achieves directional convergence under the action of the adjusting blades 744. After the return flow, the liquid impacts the secondary impeller component 75 again, thereby accelerating the main shaft 711 of the generator 71. The output shaft of the blade adjusting motor 758 drives the blade adjusting shaft 755 to rotate, and the electrolyte flows through the blades. The driving bevel gear 7551 on the adjusting shaft 755 drives the rotating shaft 756 and driven bevel gear 7561 in each bearing housing 751 to rotate, thereby causing the side blades 757 on the rotating shaft 756 to rotate by a corresponding angle. The secondary impeller adjustment mechanism and the generator transmission mechanism are relatively independent and do not affect each other. Finally, the electrolyte enters the electrolyte storage tank 1 through the return pipe 6 with the control valve 7 61 already opened. At the same time, the control valve 1 83 on the cold water inlet pipe 82 is opened, allowing the cold medium to enter the heat exchange pipe 81 to exchange heat with the electrolyte. The hot water flows out through the hot water outlet pipe 84. The temperature sensor 87 on the hot water outlet pipe 84 monitors the temperature of the hot water and compares the real-time temperature value with the initial temperature setting threshold. After reaching the set value, the control valve 2 85 on the hot water outlet pipe 84 is opened, and the hot water is taken out for further use. If the real-time temperature value of the hot water does not reach the temperature setting threshold, the control valve 3 88 and control valve 4 89 on the temperature regulating pipe 86 are opened to allow the cold medium to exchange heat with the electrolyte again until the requirements are met, after which it is taken out for use.

[0036] The present invention has been described above by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the specific implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-described manner. Any non-substantial improvements made using the concept and technical solution of the present invention, or the direct application of the present invention and technical solution to other situations without modification, are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An operating method for an integrated vanadium redox flow battery gravitational potential energy and heat energy recovery device, characterized in that: The recycling device includes an electrolyte storage tank (1), an electric stack (3), and a housing (5). The electrolyte storage tank (1) is connected to the electric stack (3) above it through a liquid supply pipe (2). A circulation pump (21) is installed on the liquid supply pipe (2). The circulation pump (21) is electrically connected to a regulator (9). The electric stack (3) is connected to the housing (5) below it through a liquid outlet pipe (4). A return pipe (6) connected to the electrolyte storage tank (1) is provided on the side of the bottom of the housing (5). The electrolyte heat exchange chamber (51) of the housing (5) is provided with a power generation mechanism (7) that generates electricity by using the gravitational potential energy of the electrolyte flowing down. The power generation mechanism (7) includes a generator (71), a primary booster impeller (73), a flow direction adjustment component (74), and a secondary impeller assembly (75). The generator (71) is installed in a buffer shell (72) at the top of the housing (5) that is connected to the housing (5). The primary booster impeller (73) is installed on the main shaft (711) of the generator (71). Several flow direction adjustment components (74) are provided and are located on the side of the buffer shell (72). The secondary impeller assembly (75) is located at the lower end of the main shaft (711) of the generator (71). The flow direction adjustment assembly (74) includes a flow direction adjustment motor (741) and an adjustment blade (744). The flow direction adjustment motor (741) is mounted on a fixed base (742) on the outside of the buffer shell (72). The output shaft of the flow direction adjustment motor (741) is connected to a blade shaft (743) via a coupling. The adjustment blade (744) is located inside the buffer shell (72) and is disposed on the blade shaft (743). The generator (71) and the flow direction adjustment motor (741) are electrically connected to the regulator (9), and the power transmission end of the generator (71) is electrically connected to the battery. The inner wall of the shell (5) is provided with a heat exchange mechanism (8) for exchanging heat with the electrolyte. The heat exchange mechanism (8) includes a heat exchange tube (81), a cold water inlet pipe (82), a temperature regulating pipe (86), and a hot water outlet pipe (84). The heat exchange tube (81) is located in the shell (5). The secondary impeller assembly (75) includes a bearing housing (751), a blade adjusting shaft (755), side blades (757), and a blade adjusting motor (758). Several bearing housings (751) are evenly distributed from top to bottom, and adjacent bearing housings (751) are connected by pins. The uppermost bearing housing (751) is bolted to the lower end of the main shaft (711) of the generator (71). The lowermost bearing housing (751) is rotatably connected to a fixed bearing seat (753) via a thrust bearing (752). The fixed bearing seat (753)... The blade adjusting shaft (755) is rotatably connected to the bearing housing (751) via bolts to the cooler partition (754) at the bottom of the housing (5). The side of the bearing housing (751) is rotatably connected to several side blades (757) via a rotating shaft (756). The driven bevel gear (7561) installed on the inner end of the rotating shaft (756) meshes with the driving bevel gear (7551) on the blade adjusting shaft (755). The blade adjusting motor (758) is located in the fixed bearing seat (753) and its output shaft is connected to the blade adjusting shaft (755) via a coupling. The cold water inlet pipe (82) is connected to the inlet of the heat exchange pipe (81) and a control valve (83) is installed on the cold water inlet pipe (82). The outlet of the heat exchange pipe (81) is connected to the hot water outlet pipe (84) and a control valve (85) is installed on the hot water outlet pipe (84). The inlet of the temperature regulating pipe (86) is connected to the cold water inlet pipe (82) between the control valve (83) and the inlet of the heat exchange pipe (81). The outlet of the temperature regulating pipe (86) is connected to the hot water outlet pipe (84) between the control valve (85) and the outlet of the heat exchange pipe (81). A temperature sensor (87) is installed on the hot water outlet pipe (84) between the outlet of the heat exchange pipe (81) and the outlet of the temperature regulating pipe (86). A control valve (88) and a control valve (89) are respectively provided at both ends of the temperature regulating pipe (86). A control valve five (22) is installed on the liquid supply pipe (2) between the fuel cell stack (3) and the circulating pump (21), a pressure sensor (23) is installed on the liquid supply pipe (2) between the control valve five (22) and the circulating pump (21), and a control valve six (24) is installed on the liquid supply pipe (2) between the circulating pump (21) and the electrolyte storage tank (1). The specific operation method of the recycling device is as follows: Step 1: Open control valve 5 (22) and control valve 6 (24) on the supply pipe (2), and use the circulation pump (21) to transport the electrolyte from the electrolyte storage tank (1) to the stack (3) for oxidation-reduction reaction. The pressure sensor (23) on the supply pipe (2) monitors the pressure of the electrolyte in the supply pipe (2). Step 2: After the electrolyte completes the redox reaction in the fuel cell stack (3), it enters the casing (5) through the outlet pipe (4). The electrolyte drives the primary booster impeller (73) on the main shaft (711) to rotate, and the main shaft (711) of the generator (71) rotates. The flow direction adjustment component (74) adjusts the direction of the adjustment blades (744) through the output shaft of the flow direction adjustment motor (741). Under the action of the adjustment blades (744), the electrolyte achieves directional convergence. After the return flow, the liquid impacts the secondary flow again. The impeller assembly (75) enables the main shaft (711) to accelerate again. The output shaft of the blade adjustment motor (758) drives the blade adjustment shaft (755) to rotate. The active bevel gear (7551) on the blade adjustment shaft (755) drives the rotating shaft (756) and driven bevel gear (7561) in each bearing box (751) to rotate, thereby causing the side blades (757) on the rotating shaft (756) to rotate by a corresponding angle. The secondary impeller adjustment mechanism and the generator transmission mechanism are relatively independent and do not affect each other. Step 3: The electrolyte enters the electrolyte storage tank (1) through the return pipe (6). At the same time, the control valve 1 (83) on the cold water inlet pipe (82) is opened, so that the cold medium enters the heat exchange pipe (81) to exchange heat with the electrolyte. The hot water flows out through the hot water outlet pipe (84). The temperature sensor (87) on the hot water outlet pipe (84) monitors the temperature of the hot water and compares the real-time temperature value with the initial temperature setting threshold. After the initial temperature setting threshold is reached, the control valve 2 (85) on the hot water outlet pipe (84) is opened, and the hot water is taken out for the next step of use. If the real-time temperature value of the hot water does not reach the initial temperature setting threshold, the control valve 3 (88) and control valve 4 (89) on the temperature regulating pipe (86) are opened to allow the cold medium to exchange heat with the electrolyte again until the requirements are met and then it is taken out for use.

2. The operating method of the integrated vanadium redox flow battery gravitational potential energy and heat energy recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A flow regulating valve (41) is installed on the outlet pipe (4), and the flow regulating valve (41) is electrically connected to the regulator (9).

3. The operating method of the integrated vanadium redox flow battery gravitational potential energy and heat energy recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A control valve (61) is installed on the return pipe (6).

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