Metal-air flow battery device based on ultrasonic air focusing method

Abstract

The invention discloses a metal-air flow battery device based on an ultrasonic air focusing method. A metal-air flow battery belongs to the technical field of mutual crossing of ultrasound and electrochemistry and comprises a piezoelectric plate, a piezoelectric plate and acoustic lens fixing support, an acoustic lens, a metal-air flow battery fixing platform, a connecting platform of the whole device, a metal-air flow battery unit, an electrolyte inlet pipe and an electrolyte outlet pipe. According to the device, a sound field generated by ultrasound acts on the surface of the cathode electrode, so that sound pressure and sound stream jointly act on a three-phase reaction interface, and the oxidation-reduction reaction rate at the three-phase reaction interface is increased. The battery device comprises a piezoelectric plate, a piezoelectric plate driving power supply, an electrolytic bath, a metal anode, an air cathode, an acoustic lens and a peristaltic pump, the device can be combined with other traditional methods for improving the performance of the metal-air battery; the device for improving the performance of the battery can be used as an external component and does not influence the internal structure and the stability of the battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of ultrasound and electrochemistry, and relates to a metal-air liquid flow battery device based on an ultrasonic air focusing method; specifically, it relates to a method for improving the discharge performance of a metal-air liquid flow battery by using an ultrasonic air catalytic cathode electrode. Background Art

[0002] As an emerging battery technology, metal-air flow battery combines the unique design structure of traditional redox flow battery with the advantages of metal-air battery such as high specific energy, low internal resistance, non-toxicity, long storage life, low cost, high energy density and safety, showing significant potential. Due to its high efficiency, energy saving and environmental protection, metal-air flow battery has broad application prospects in electric vehicles, marine energy supply and military communication equipment, and has become a research hotspot in the field of battery technology for domestic and foreign scholars.

[0003] Although metal-air flow batteries have the advantages of high specific energy, high power density and high current density, their development still faces many challenges, mainly including concentration polarization and double-layer polarization between the air cathode and the electrolyte solution, as well as the filtration of insoluble products at the metal anode and the circulation and renewal of the electrolyte solution. These problems will lead to an increase in the internal resistance of the electrolyte solution, thereby reducing the output power of the battery. Current research mainly focuses on the optimization of the electrolyte solution circulation method, the development of air electrode catalytic materials, and the research and development of metal electrode alloy materials. However, these traditional methods have reached a bottleneck in improving the discharge performance of metal-air flow batteries, and a new method that can significantly improve its discharge performance is needed. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to propose a metal-air liquid flow battery device based on an ultrasonic air focusing method, which is different from the traditional method and can be combined with the traditional method.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is: a metal-air liquid flow battery device based on an ultrasonic air focusing method according to the present invention comprises a connection platform of the overall device;

[0006] A metal-air liquid flow battery fixing platform is arranged on one side of the upper wall of the connection platform of the overall device, and a metal-air liquid flow battery unit is arranged on one side of the upper end of the metal-air liquid flow battery fixing platform.

[0007] Furthermore, a fixing bracket for the piezoelectric sheet and the acoustic lens is arranged on the other side of the upper wall of the connection platform of the overall device.

[0008] Furthermore, a piezoelectric sheet is placed in a circular hole opened at the upper end of a fixing bracket of the piezoelectric sheet and the acoustic lens, and an acoustic lens is placed on the piezoelectric sheet.

[0009] Furthermore, the radiation surface of the piezoelectric sheet and the plane of the acoustic lens are bonded by epoxy glue and fixed by screws in the circular hole opened at the upper end of the fixing bracket of the piezoelectric sheet and the acoustic lens, and the side of the acoustic lens faces the metal-air liquid flow battery unit.

[0010] Furthermore, the metal-air liquid flow battery unit comprises a PMMA cathode cover plate and a PMMA anode cover plate, and an air cathode, a PVC separator, an electrolyte baffle and an air anode are respectively arranged between the PMMA cathode cover plate and the PMMA anode cover plate;

[0011] A plurality of screw holes are correspondingly provided on the PMMA cathode cover plate, the PVC partition plate and the PMMA anode cover plate, and bolts and nuts for connecting the PMMA cathode cover plate, the PVC partition plate and the PMMA anode cover plate are passed through the plurality of screw holes.

[0012] Furthermore, an electrolyte inlet and an electrolyte outlet are respectively provided at the upper and lower ends of the PMMA anode cover plate.

[0013] An electrolyte inlet pipe is inserted into the electrolyte inlet.

[0014] An electrolyte outlet pipe is inserted into the electrolyte outlet.

[0015] Furthermore, a square window is provided on the PMMA cathode cover plate to provide air to the air cathode;

[0016] The air cathode is a carbon paper electrode;

[0017] The PVC separator is the reaction chamber of the metal-air flow battery unit;

[0018] The electrolyte baffle is bonded to the air anode and embedded in the groove formed on the PMMA anode cover.

[0019] Furthermore, the PMMA cathode cover plate and the PMMA anode cover plate have a length and width of 30 mm to 40 mm and are the same size, and a thickness of 4 mm to 6 mm;

[0020] The size of the window opened on the PMMA cathode cover is greater than 15mm*15mm and does not affect the installation of bolts and nuts;

[0021] The size of the air cathode and the air anode must be larger than the window size and should not affect the installation of the bolts and nuts;

[0022] The air anode is made of aluminum alloy material, and the air cathode is carbon paper with Pt / C catalytic powder attached;

[0023] The length and width of the PVC separator should be the same as the anode / cathode cover plate, and the thickness should be 0.5mm-5mm, which can be adjusted according to the amount of electrolyte contained;

[0024] The electrolyte inlet pipe and the electrolyte outlet pipe have an outer diameter of 2mm-3mm and an inner diameter of 0.7mm-1.5mm, and are made of rubber material.

[0025] Furthermore, the resonant frequency range of the piezoelectric film is 20kHz-200kHz, the operating frequency f=113.89-114.34kHz, the operating voltage is 8.1V-8.4V (effective value), and the operating current is 332mA-350mA (effective value).

[0026] Furthermore, the acoustic lens is a concave spherical surface, with a focal radius R of 39.3 mm-40.2 mm, a diameter the same as that of the piezoelectric sheet, a maximum thickness of 7.93 mm, and is made of aluminum alloy material.

[0027] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. The present invention can be combined with traditional methods while greatly improving performance; 2. The device can be used as an external component of the entire battery system without affecting the internal structure and stability of the battery; 3. The entire device has a simple structure, low cost, low energy consumption, and no moving parts, which is conducive to promoting practical applications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 It is a partial structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 It is an experimental data diagram in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] In the figure, 1 is a piezoelectric sheet, 2 is a fixing bracket for the piezoelectric sheet and the acoustic lens, 3 is an acoustic lens, 4 is a metal-air liquid flow battery fixing platform, 5 is a connecting platform for the overall device, 6 is a metal-air liquid flow battery unit, 7 is an electrolyte inlet pipe, and 8 is an electrolyte outlet pipe;

[0032] 601 is a PMMA cathode cover, 602 is a PVC partition, 603 is a PMMA anode cover, 604 is an air cathode, 605 is an air anode, 606 is an electrolyte baffle, 607 is an electrolyte inlet pipe, 608 is an electrolyte outlet pipe, 609 is an electrolyte inlet, and 610 is an electrolyte outlet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The specific technical solutions of the present invention are further described in detail below in conjunction with specific examples.

[0034] As shown in the figure, a metal-air liquid flow battery device based on the ultrasonic air focusing method described in the present invention includes a piezoelectric sheet 1, a fixing bracket 2 for the piezoelectric sheet and the acoustic lens, an acoustic lens 3, a metal-air liquid flow battery fixing platform 4, a connecting platform 5 for the overall device, a metal-air liquid flow battery unit 6, an electrolyte inlet pipe 7 and an electrolyte outlet pipe 8;

[0035] A fixing bracket 2 for the piezoelectric sheet and the acoustic lens is arranged on one side of the upper wall of the connecting platform 5 of the overall device.

[0036] Furthermore, the radiation surface of the piezoelectric sheet 1 and the plane of the acoustic lens 3 are bonded by epoxy glue and fixed in the circular hole opened at the upper end of the fixing bracket 2 of the piezoelectric sheet and the acoustic lens by screws, and the side of the acoustic lens 3 faces the metal-air liquid flow battery unit 6.

[0037] Furthermore, the resonant frequency range of the piezoelectric film 1 is 20kHz-200kHz, the operating frequency f=113.89-114.34kHz, the operating voltage is 8.1V-8.4V (effective value), and the operating current is 332mA-350mA (effective value);

[0038] The acoustic lens 3 is a concave spherical surface, with a focal radius R of 39.3 mm-40.2 mm, the same diameter as the piezoelectric sheet 1, a maximum thickness of 7.93 mm, and is made of aluminum alloy.

[0039] Furthermore, a metal-air liquid flow battery fixing platform 4 is arranged on the other side of the upper wall of the connecting platform 5 of the overall device.

[0040] Furthermore, a metal-air liquid flow battery unit 6 is placed on the metal-air liquid flow battery fixing platform 4 .

[0041] Furthermore, the metal-air liquid flow battery unit 6 comprises a PMMA cathode cover plate 601 and a PMMA anode cover plate 603, between which an air cathode 604, a PVC partition plate 602, an electrolyte baffle plate 606 and an air anode 605 are respectively arranged;

[0042] A plurality of screw holes are correspondingly provided on the PMMA cathode cover plate 601 , the PVC partition plate 602 and the PMMA anode cover plate 603 , and bolts and nuts for connecting the PMMA cathode cover plate 601 , the PVC partition plate 602 and the PMMA anode cover plate 603 are passed through the plurality of screw holes.

[0043] Furthermore, an electrolyte inlet 609 and an electrolyte outlet 610 are respectively provided at the upper and lower ends of the PMMA anode cover plate 603;

[0044] An electrolyte inlet pipe 7 is inserted into the electrolyte inlet 609.

[0045] An electrolyte outlet pipe 8 is inserted into the electrolyte outlet 610 .

[0046] Furthermore, a square window is provided on the PMMA cathode cover plate 601 to provide air for the air cathode 604 and is opposite to the acoustic lens 3;

[0047] The air cathode 604 is a carbon paper electrode;

[0048] The PVC partition 602 is the reaction chamber of the metal-air flow battery unit 6;

[0049] The electrolyte baffle 606 is bonded to the air anode 605 and embedded in the groove opened in the PMMA anode cover plate 603 .

[0050] Furthermore, the PMMA cathode cover plate 601 and the PMMA anode cover plate 603 have a length and width between 30 mm and 40 mm, are the same size, and have a thickness between 4 mm and 6 mm;

[0051] The size of the window opened on the PMMA cathode cover plate 601 is greater than 15mm*15mm and does not affect the installation of bolts and nuts;

[0052] The size of the air cathode 604 and the air anode 605 must be larger than the window size and should not affect the installation of the bolts and nuts.

[0053] The air anode 605 is made of aluminum alloy material, and the air cathode 604 is carbon paper with Pt / C catalytic powder attached;

[0054] The length and width of the PVC separator 602 should be the same as the anode / cathode cover plate, and the thickness should be 0.5mm-5mm, which can be adjusted according to the amount of electrolyte contained;

[0055] The electrolyte inlet pipe 7 and the electrolyte outlet pipe 8 have an outer diameter of 2 mm to 3 mm and an inner diameter of 0.7 mm to 1.5 mm, and are made of rubber material.

[0056] Furthermore, the piezoelectric sheet 1 and the acoustic lens 3 are bonded together with epoxy resin. When the piezoelectric sheet 1 is driven by a power source to make ultrasonic vibrations, the ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the acoustic lens 3. The acoustic lens 3 generates a focused acoustic field at the air cathode 604 of the metal-air liquid flow battery unit, so that the sound pressure and the acoustic flow act together at the three-phase reaction interface, thereby increasing the redox reaction rate at the three-phase reaction interface.

[0057] Furthermore, the operation of the peristaltic pump causes the electrolyte to enter the electrolytic cell of the metal-air battery unit 6 from the inlet pipe, and the electrolyte flows out from the outlet pipe under the action of gravity and pressure, taking away the reaction by-products while realizing the circulation renewal of the electrolyte and ensuring the stability of the battery performance.

[0058] Furthermore, by changing the thickness of the PVC separator 602 , the volume of the electrolytic cell in the metal-air battery unit 6 can be changed.

[0059] Furthermore, the air cathode 604 is a carbon paper electrode, and the prepared Pt / C catalyst suspension is sprayed onto the surface of the carbon paper to form a Pt / C catalyst layer to increase the redox reaction rate at the cathode electrode.

[0060] Furthermore, when the piezoelectric film 1 undergoes ultrasonic vibration, the ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the acoustic lens 3, and the acoustic lens 3 generates a focused acoustic field at the air cathode 604 of the metal-air liquid flow battery unit 6; one end of the electrolyte inlet pipe is connected to the battery unit, and the other end is connected to the peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump delivers the electrolyte into the battery unit through the inlet pipe, and then discharges the electrolyte through the outlet pipe, thereby realizing the circulation and renewal of the electrolyte.

[0061] Furthermore, in the metal-air flow battery unit 6, the PVC partition 602 serves as a reaction chamber of the battery unit, and the thickness thereof determines the volume of the reaction chamber;

[0062] The electrolyte baffle 606 is bonded to the metal anode 605 and embedded in the groove of the PMMA anode cover 602 to prevent electrolyte leakage;

[0063] The electrolyte inlet pipe 607 and the electrolyte outlet pipe are respectively inserted into the electrolyte inlet 609 and the electrolyte outlet 610 in the PMMA anode cover plate 603 .

[0064] Furthermore, the piezoelectric sheet 1 is bonded to the back center of the acoustic lens 3 by epoxy resin, and the piezoelectric sheet 1 drives the piezoelectric sheet to perform ultrasonic vibration by a driving power supply, and the generated sound field acts on the surface of the cathode electrode, so that the sound pressure and the sound flow act together on the three-phase reaction interface; in the positive half cycle of the sound pressure, the total gas pressure at the three-phase reaction interface increases, which causes the gas near the three-phase reaction interface to be compressed; therefore, the oxygen molecules are ejected onto the three-phase reaction interface; although in the negative half cycle of the sound pressure, the desorption process of the oxygen molecules from the three-phase reaction interface is enhanced, the desorption effect is weak due to the chemical reaction between the oxygen molecules, water molecules and electrons at the three-phase reaction interface;

[0065] Therefore, in each time period of the sound pressure, the sound pressure drives more oxygen molecules to the three-phase reaction interface; in addition, the acoustic flow exists in the form of micro-eddies, which can continuously blow fresh air to the three-phase reaction interface, thereby ensuring the amount of oxygen required for the redox reaction at the three-phase reaction interface;

[0066] Therefore, the acoustic flow promotes the diffusion rate of oxygen, indirectly increasing the redox reaction rate, and the discharge performance of the metal-air flow battery unit 6 can be further improved.

[0067] In an embodiment,

[0068] The operating frequency of the piezoelectric sheet 1 is f=114kHz, the operating voltage is 8.4V (effective value), and the operating current is 350mA (effective value);

[0069] The driving power of the piezoelectric piece 1 is provided by a signal generator (Tektronix AFG 3022C, 250MS / s, 25MHz) which sends an electrical signal to a power amplifier (Aigtek ATA-4052) for amplifying the electrical signal power, which is used to drive the piezoelectric piece 1, and an oscilloscope (Tektronix TDS2024, 200MHz, 2GS / s) displays the working voltage and current values ​​of the piezoelectric piece 1;

[0070] The acoustic lens 3 is a concave spherical surface with a focal radius R=40 mm, a diameter of 40 mm, a maximum thickness of 7.93 mm, and is made of aluminum alloy;

[0071] The PMMA cathode / anode cover is 30mm long and wide, and 4mm thick. The PMMA cathode cover window size is 15mm*15mm;

[0072] The size of the air anode 605 and the air cathode 604 is 15*15 mm; the air anode 605 is made of aluminum alloy material, and the air cathode 604 is carbon paper with Pt / C catalytic powder attached.

[0073] The length and width of PVC partition 602 are 30*30mm and the thickness is 0.5mm;

[0074] The electrolyte inlet pipe 607 and the outlet pipe have an outer diameter of 2 mm and an inner diameter of 1.5 mm and are made of rubber material.

[0075] The present invention proposes a method for improving the discharge performance of a metal-air liquid flow battery by utilizing an ultrasonic air catalytic cathode electrode. The method is a brand-new ultrasonic catalytic method, which enables the acoustic pressure and acoustic flow to act together at the three-phase reaction interface, thereby increasing the redox reaction rate at the three-phase reaction interface.

Claims

1. A metal-air liquid flow battery device based on ultrasonic air focusing method, characterized in that: A connection platform (5) comprising the overall device; A metal-air liquid flow battery fixing platform (4) is arranged on one side of the upper wall of the connection platform (5) of the overall device, and a metal-air liquid flow battery unit (6) is arranged on one side of the upper end of the metal-air liquid flow battery fixing platform (4).

2. According to the metal-air liquid flow battery device based on the ultrasonic air focusing method described in claim 1, a fixing bracket (2) of the piezoelectric sheet and the acoustic lens is arranged on the other side of the upper wall of the connection platform (5) of the overall device.

3. A metal-air liquid flow battery device based on ultrasonic air focusing method according to claim 2, characterized in that: A piezoelectric sheet (1) is placed in a circular hole opened at the upper end of a fixing bracket (2) for the piezoelectric sheet and the acoustic lens, and an acoustic lens (3) is placed on the piezoelectric sheet (1).

4. A metal-air liquid flow battery device based on ultrasonic air focusing method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The radiation surface of the piezoelectric sheet (1) and the plane of the acoustic lens (3) are bonded by epoxy glue and fixed by screws in a circular hole opened at the upper end of a fixing bracket (2) of the piezoelectric sheet and the acoustic lens, with the side of the acoustic lens (3) facing the metal-air liquid flow battery unit (6).

5. A metal-air liquid flow battery device based on ultrasonic air focusing method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The metal-air liquid flow battery unit (6) comprises a PMMA cathode cover plate (601) and a PMMA anode cover plate (603), and an air cathode (604), a PVC partition (602), an electrolyte baffle (606) and an air anode (605) are respectively arranged between the PMMA cathode cover plate (601) and the PMMA anode cover plate (603); A plurality of screw holes are correspondingly provided on the PMMA cathode cover plate (601), the PVC partition plate (602) and the PMMA anode cover plate (603), and bolts and nuts for connecting the PMMA cathode cover plate (601), the PVC partition plate (602) and the PMMA anode cover plate (603) are passed through the plurality of screw holes.

6. A metal-air liquid flow battery device based on ultrasonic air focusing method according to claim 5, characterized in that: An electrolyte inlet (609) and an electrolyte outlet (610) are respectively provided at the upper and lower ends of the PMMA anode cover plate (603). An electrolyte inlet pipe (7) is inserted into the electrolyte inlet (609). An electrolyte outlet pipe (8) is inserted into the electrolyte outlet (610).

7. A metal-air liquid flow battery device based on ultrasonic air focusing method according to claim 5, characterized in that: A square window is provided on the PMMA cathode cover plate (601) for supplying air to the air cathode (604); The air cathode (604) is a carbon paper electrode; The PVC partition (602) is a reaction chamber of the metal-air liquid flow battery unit (6); The electrolyte baffle (606) is bonded to the air anode (605) and embedded in a groove formed in the PMMA anode cover plate (603).

8. A metal-air liquid flow battery device based on ultrasonic air focusing method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The PMMA cathode cover plate (601) and the PMMA anode cover plate (603) have a length and width between 30 mm and 40 mm, are the same size, and have a thickness between 4 mm and 6 mm; The size of the window opened on the PMMA cathode cover plate (601) is greater than 15 mm*15 mm; The size of the air cathode (604) and the air anode (605) is larger than the window size; The air anode (605) is made of aluminum alloy material, and the air cathode (604) is carbon paper with Pt / C catalytic powder attached; The length and width of the PVC separator (602) should be the same as the anode / cathode cover plate, and the thickness is 0.5mm-5mm; The electrolyte inlet pipe (7) and the electrolyte outlet pipe (8) have an outer diameter of 2 mm to 3 mm and an inner diameter of 0.7 mm to 1.5 mm, and are made of rubber material.

9. A metal-air liquid flow battery device based on ultrasonic air focusing method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The piezoelectric sheet (1) has a resonance frequency range of 20kHz-200kHz, an operating frequency f=113.89-114.34kHz, an operating voltage of 8.1V-8.4V, and an operating current of 332mA-350mA.

10. A metal-air liquid flow battery device based on ultrasonic air focusing method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The acoustic lens (3) is a concave spherical surface, has a focal radius R of 39.3 mm to 40.2 mm, has the same diameter as the piezoelectric sheet (1), has a maximum thickness of 7.93 mm, and is made of an aluminum alloy material.

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