Flow battery system and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a flow battery system and a control method thereof, and relates to the technical field of electric pile equipment. The flow battery system includes: a stack; the electric pile is located outside the liquid tank, and the liquid tank is communicated with a liquid inlet of the electric pile; the adjusting barrel is arranged in the liquid tank and comprises a liquid containing barrel with an upper opening and a vertically-through annular barrel, the liquid containing barrel is sleeved with the annular barrel in a vertically-movable sealing mode, the upper end of the annular barrel is not lower than the upper end of the liquid containing barrel, the adjusting barrel is communicated with a liquid outlet of the galvanic pile, and a first liquid storage area is formed between the adjusting barrel and the liquid tank; a second liquid storage area is formed in the adjusting barrel; the lower portion of the heat exchange assembly is located in the adjusting barrel, and the upper portion of the heat exchange assembly is located above the annular barrel. And the driving assembly is connected with the annular cylinder and is arranged to controllably drive the annular cylinder to move up and down, so that the contact area between the heat exchange assembly and the electrolyte in the second liquid storage area is adjusted, and the temperature of the electrolyte in the flow battery system is adjusted to be within a proper range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of battery stack equipment, and specifically refers to a liquid flow battery system and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] As an indispensable part of the new clean energy industry, the flow battery system is an important bridge between the power grid and the user end in the photovoltaic and wind energy fields. With the construction of new power systems, more and more flow battery systems will be used in the power grid and the user end in the future.

[0003] However, the flow battery system generates a lot of heat during the charging and discharging process, which will increase the temperature of the electrolyte. When the temperature of the electrolyte is too high, the excessively high temperature will cause certain damage to the electrolyte. Summary of the invention

[0004] An embodiment of the present application provides a liquid flow battery system, comprising: a battery stack; a liquid tank, the battery stack is located outside the liquid tank, the liquid tank is connected to the liquid inlet of the battery stack, and is configured to contain electrolyte and supply electrolyte to the battery stack; an adjusting barrel, which is arranged in the liquid tank and comprises a liquid barrel with an upper opening and an annular cylinder passing through from top to bottom, a sealing sleeve of the annular cylinder that can move up and down is arranged outside the liquid barrel, and the upper end of the annular cylinder is not lower than the upper end of the liquid barrel, the adjusting barrel is connected to the liquid outlet of the battery stack, a first liquid storage area is formed between the adjusting barrel and the liquid tank, and a second liquid storage area is formed inside the adjusting barrel; a heat exchange component, a lower part of which is located in the adjusting barrel and an upper part is located above the annular cylinder; and a driving component, which is connected to the annular cylinder and is configured to controllably drive the annular cylinder to move up and down to adjust the height of the second liquid storage area.

[0005] In some exemplary embodiments, the driving assembly includes: a cylinder device connected to the annular cylinder and configured to drive the annular cylinder to move up and down; and an air supply device connected to the cylinder device and configured to drive the cylinder device to extend and retract.

[0006] In some exemplary embodiments, the cylinder device includes a cylinder barrel, a piston and a connecting rod, the cylinder barrel is located above the annular barrel, the piston is located in the cylinder barrel and forms an air-containing chamber with the lower part of the cylinder barrel, the air-containing chamber is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet, the connecting rod is sealingly penetrated through the bottom wall of the air-containing chamber and connects the piston and the annular barrel; the air supply device includes an air supply machine and a first switch valve, the air supply machine is connected to the air inlet, and the first switch valve is provided at the air outlet.

[0007] In some exemplary embodiments, the cylinder device further includes an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is located in the air containing cavity, and the connecting rod is connected to the piston via the elastic member.

[0008] In some exemplary embodiments, the gas supply machine is a nitrogen generator, and a one-way valve is provided between the nitrogen generator and the gas inlet.

[0009] In some exemplary embodiments, the cylinder seal is penetrated through the top wall of the liquid tank, the air supply machine, the air inlet and the air outlet are all located outside the liquid tank, and the air inlet is located below the air outlet. The outlet of the first switch valve is connected to the liquid tank, and a breathing valve and a hydrogen exhaust valve are also provided on the top of the liquid tank.

[0010] In some exemplary embodiments, the heat exchange assembly includes: a mounting member fixed in the liquid tank; and a heat pump system having a heat exchange tube, wherein the heat exchange tube is wound around the outside of the mounting member, and the lower portion of the heat exchange tube is located in the liquid storage barrel, and the upper portion is located above the annular cylinder.

[0011] In some exemplary embodiments, the liquid flow battery system further includes: a perforated plate, which is fixed in the liquid tank and sleeved outside the regulating barrel, and the perforated plate has leakage holes dispersedly arranged.

[0012] In some exemplary embodiments, the liquid tank includes a first liquid tank and a second liquid tank, the regulating barrel includes a first regulating barrel and a second regulating barrel, the heat exchange component includes a first heat exchange component and a second heat exchange component, the orifice plate includes a first orifice plate and a second orifice plate, the first regulating barrel, the first heat exchange component and the first orifice plate are all arranged in the first liquid tank, the second regulating barrel, the second heat exchange component and the second orifice plate are all arranged in the second liquid tank, the liquid inlet of the fuel cell stack includes a first liquid inlet and a second liquid inlet, the liquid outlet of the fuel cell stack includes a first liquid outlet and a second liquid outlet, the first liquid tank is connected to the first liquid inlet, the first regulating barrel is connected to the first liquid outlet, the second liquid tank is connected to the second liquid inlet, and the second regulating barrel is connected to the second liquid outlet.

[0013] The present application also provides a control method for a flow battery system, including: Obtaining the temperature T of the electrolyte contained in the liquid tank; Based on T≥first temperature threshold T1, controlling the driving assembly to drive the annular cylinder to move upward; Based on T≤first temperature threshold T2, controlling the driving assembly to drive the annular cylinder to move downward; Among them, T1>T2.

[0014] In some exemplary embodiments, the step of controlling the driving assembly to drive the annular cylinder to move upward includes: controlling the air supply machine to operate, and controlling the first switch valve to close.

[0015] In some exemplary embodiments, the step of controlling the driving assembly to drive the annular cylinder to move downward includes: controlling the air supply machine to stop, and controlling the first switch valve to open.

[0016] The liquid flow battery system provided in the embodiment of the present application has an electrolyte contained in a liquid tank, and the liquid level of the electrolyte contained in the liquid tank is lower than the upper end of the annular cylinder. When the liquid flow battery system is running, the electrolyte flowing out from the liquid outlet of the battery stack is supplied to the second liquid storage area. After the second liquid storage area is filled with electrolyte, as the liquid outlet of the battery stack continues to supply electrolyte into the second liquid storage area, the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area will overflow from the upper end of the annular cylinder to the first liquid storage area. During this process, the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area exchanges heat with the part of the heat exchange component located inside the regulating barrel, and the high-temperature electrolyte flowing back from the liquid outlet of the battery stack is centrally cooled by the part of the heat exchange component located inside the regulating barrel, so that the cooling effect of the high-temperature electrolyte flowing back from the liquid outlet of the battery stack is better.

[0017] When the temperature of the electrolyte contained in the liquid tank is not lower than the first temperature threshold, the temperature of the electrolyte is too high. At this time, the control driving component drives the annular cylinder to move upward to increase the height of the second liquid storage area, so that the liquid storage amount of the second liquid storage area increases, the part of the heat exchange component located inside the regulating barrel increases, and the part of the heat exchange component located outside the regulating barrel decreases. In this way, the contact area between the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area and the heat exchange component increases, and the cooling effect of the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area is further improved, so as to achieve the electrolyte inside the first liquid storage area and the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area. Cooling to below the first temperature threshold.

[0018] When the temperature of the electrolyte contained in the liquid tank is not higher than the second temperature threshold (the second temperature threshold is less than the first temperature threshold), the temperature of the electrolyte is low. At this time, the control driving component drives the annular cylinder to move downward to reduce the height of the second liquid storage area, so that the liquid storage amount of the second liquid storage area is reduced, the part of the heat exchange component located inside the regulating barrel is reduced, and the part of the heat exchange component located outside the regulating barrel is increased. In this way, the contact area between the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area and the heat exchange component is reduced, and the cooling effect of the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area becomes worse, so as to achieve the electrolyte inside the first liquid storage area and the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area. The temperature is raised to above the second temperature threshold. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a liquid flow battery system in use state provided in some embodiments of the present application; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A structural schematic block diagram of another use state of the liquid flow battery system shown; Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the mesoporous plate; Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure after the middle cylinder device, the heat exchange component and the annular cylinder are assembled; Figure 5 A flow chart of a control method for a flow battery system provided in some embodiments of the present application; Figure 6 A flowchart of a control method for a liquid flow battery system provided in some other embodiments of the present application.

[0020] In the accompanying drawings, the components represented by the reference numerals are listed as follows: 100 battery stack, 200 liquid tank, 210 first liquid storage area, 310 liquid storage barrel, 320 annular cylinder, 330 second liquid storage area, 410 second switch valve, 420 liquid pump, 430 flow control valve, 440 breathing valve, 450 hydrogen exhaust valve, 500 heat exchange component, 510 mounting part, 520 heat exchange tube, 610 cylinder device, 611 cylinder barrel, 612 piston, 613 connecting rod, 614 elastic part, 615 gas chamber, 621 gas supply machine, 622 first switch valve, 623 one-way valve, 700 orifice plate, 710 leakage hole, 720 penetration hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The principles and features of the present application are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The examples given are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the scope of the present application.

[0022] The liquid flow battery system provided in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, it includes: a battery stack 100; a liquid tank 200, the battery stack 100 is located outside the liquid tank 200, the liquid tank 200 is connected to the liquid inlet of the battery stack 100, and the liquid tank 200 is configured to contain electrolyte and supply electrolyte to the battery stack 100; a regulating barrel, the regulating barrel is arranged in the liquid tank 200, and includes a liquid storage barrel 310 with an upper opening and an annular barrel 320 that passes through from top to bottom, and a sealing sleeve of the annular barrel 320 that can move up and down is arranged outside the liquid storage barrel 310, and the upper end of the annular barrel 320 is not lower than the liquid storage barrel At the upper end of the barrel 310, the regulating barrel is connected to the liquid outlet of the fuel cell stack 100, a first liquid storage area 210 is formed between the regulating barrel and the liquid tank 200, and a second liquid storage area 330 is formed inside the regulating barrel; a heat exchange component 500, the lower part of the heat exchange component 500 is located in the regulating barrel, and the upper part is located above the annular cylinder 320; and a driving component, the driving component is connected to the annular cylinder 320, and is configured to controllably drive the annular cylinder 320 to move up and down to adjust the height of the second liquid storage area 330.

[0023] In the liquid flow battery system, the liquid tank 200 contains electrolyte, and the liquid level of the electrolyte contained in the liquid tank 200 is lower than the upper end of the annular cylinder 320. When the liquid flow battery system is running, the electrolyte flowing out from the liquid outlet of the battery stack 100 is supplied to the second liquid storage area 330. After the second liquid storage area 330 is filled with electrolyte, as the liquid outlet of the battery stack 100 continues to supply electrolyte to the second liquid storage area 330, the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area 330 will overflow from the upper end of the annular cylinder 320 to the first liquid storage area 210. During this process, the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area 330 exchanges heat with the part of the heat exchange component 500 located inside the regulating barrel, and the high-temperature electrolyte flowing back from the liquid outlet of the battery stack 100 is centrally cooled by the part of the heat exchange component 500 located inside the regulating barrel, so that the cooling effect of the high-temperature electrolyte flowing back from the liquid outlet of the battery stack 100 is better.

[0024] When the temperature of the electrolyte contained in the liquid tank 200 is not lower than the first temperature threshold, the temperature of the electrolyte is too high. At this time, the control driving component drives the annular cylinder 320 to move upward, thereby increasing the height of the second liquid storage area 330 (such as Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the liquid storage volume of the second liquid storage area 330 is increased, the portion of the heat exchange component 500 located inside the regulating barrel is increased, and the portion of the heat exchange component 500 located outside the regulating barrel is reduced. In this way, the contact area between the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area 330 and the heat exchange component 500 is increased, and the cooling effect of the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area 330 is further improved, thereby achieving the cooling of the electrolyte inside the first liquid storage area 210 and the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area 330 to below the first temperature threshold.

[0025] When the temperature of the electrolyte contained in the liquid tank 200 is not higher than the second temperature threshold (the second temperature threshold is lower than the first temperature threshold), the temperature of the electrolyte is relatively low. At this time, the control driving assembly drives the annular cylinder 320 to move downward, thereby reducing the height of the second liquid storage area 330 (such as Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the liquid storage amount of the second liquid storage area 330 is reduced, the portion of the heat exchange component 500 located inside the regulating barrel is reduced, and the portion of the heat exchange component 500 located outside the regulating barrel is increased. In this way, the contact area between the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area 330 and the heat exchange component 500 is reduced, and the cooling effect of the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area 330 is deteriorated, thereby achieving the electrolyte inside the first liquid storage area 210 and the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area 330 to be heated to above the second temperature threshold.

[0026] Among them, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a second switch valve 410 and a liquid pump 420 are provided between the liquid tank 200 and the liquid inlet of the stack 100. The second switch valve 410 is located between the liquid pump 420 and the liquid tank 200. When the liquid pump 420 is damaged, the second switch valve 410 can be closed to repair or replace the liquid pump 420, so that the electrolyte contained in the liquid tank 200 will not leak out from the liquid inlet. The second switch valve 410 can be an electrically controlled valve. A flow regulating valve 430 for regulating the flow is provided between the liquid outlet and the regulating barrel. The flow regulating valve 430 can be an electric ball valve.

[0027] In some examples, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the driving assembly includes: a cylinder device 610, which is connected to the annular cylinder 320 and is configured to drive the annular cylinder 320 to move up and down; and an air supply device, which is connected to the cylinder device 610 and is configured to drive the cylinder device 610 to extend and retract. When the air supply device drives the cylinder device 610 to extend, the cylinder device 610 drives the annular cylinder 320 to move downward, thereby reducing the cooling effect of the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area 330; when the air supply device drives the cylinder device 610 to retract, the cylinder device 610 drives the annular cylinder 320 to move upward, thereby improving the cooling effect of the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area 330.

[0028] In some embodiments, Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the cylinder device 610 includes a cylinder barrel 611, a piston 612 and a connecting rod 613. The cylinder barrel 611 is located above the annular barrel 320. The piston 612 is located in the cylinder barrel 611 and forms an air chamber 615 with the lower part of the cylinder barrel 611. The air chamber 615 is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet. The connecting rod 613 is sealingly penetrated through the bottom wall of the air chamber 615 and connects the piston 612 and the annular barrel 320. The air supply device includes an air supply machine 621 and a first switch valve 622. The air supply machine 621 is connected to the air inlet, and the first switch valve 622 is provided at the air outlet.

[0029] The first switch valve 622 is closed, and the air supply machine 621 is running. The air supply machine 621 supplies air from the air inlet to the air chamber 615. At this time, under the action of the gas pressure, the piston 612, the connecting rod 613 and the annular cylinder 320 move upward (as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown), the cooling effect of the electrolyte in the second liquid storage area 330 is realized; the first switch valve 622 is opened, the air supply machine 621 is stopped, and the air supply machine 621 no longer supplies air from the air inlet to the air chamber 615. At this time, under the action of gravity, the piston 612, the connecting rod 613 and the annular cylinder 320 move downward (as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 3 ), the temperature of the electrolyte in the second liquid storage area 330 can be reduced. The first switch valve 622 can be an electrically controlled valve.

[0030] In some embodiments, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the cylinder device 610 also includes an elastic member 614, which is located in the air chamber 615. The connecting rod 613 is connected to the piston 612 through the elastic member 614. The elastic member 614 is used to reduce the movement speed of the annular cylinder 320 and extend the movement time of the annular cylinder 320, so as to achieve slow delayed rise and slow delayed descent of the annular cylinder 320; the air supply machine 621 is a nitrogen generator, and a one-way valve 623 is provided between the nitrogen generator and the air inlet, and the one-way valve 623 is configured to conduct the self-made nitrogen generator toward the air inlet.

[0031] In some embodiments, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the cylinder 611 is sealed and penetrated through the top wall of the liquid tank 200, the air supply machine 621, the air inlet and the air outlet are all located outside the liquid tank 200, the air inlet and the air outlet are located on the peripheral wall of the air chamber 615, and the air inlet is located below the air outlet, the outlet of the first switch valve 622 is connected to the liquid tank 200, and the top of the liquid tank 200 is also provided with a breathing valve 440 and a hydrogen exhaust valve 450. The breathing valve 440 is used to maintain the pressure inside the liquid tank 200 in balance with the external pressure, and the hydrogen exhaust valve 450 is used to discharge the hydrogen generated during the energy storage process out of the liquid tank 200.

[0032] The first switch valve 622 is opened, and the air supply machine 621 is stopped. Then, the air supply machine 621 no longer supplies air from the air inlet to the air chamber 615. At this time, under the action of gravity, the piston 612, the connecting rod 613 and the annular cylinder 320 move downward (as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown), the piston 612 stops when it moves down to completely close the air outlet. At this time, the air inlet is still connected to the air chamber 615 because it is located below the air outlet. During this process, the nitrogen discharged from the air chamber 615 is supplied to the liquid tank 200 from the first switch valve 622. This can ensure that the liquid level of the electrolyte in the liquid tank 200 is always sealed by nitrogen for a longer period of time; the first switch valve 622 is closed, and the air supply machine 621 is running. Since the air inlet is connected to the air chamber 615, the air supply machine 621 can supply air (supply pressurized gas) from the air inlet to the air chamber 615 through the one-way valve, and under the action of the gas pressure, the piston 612, the connecting rod 613 and the annular cylinder 320 move upward (as shown). Figure 1 as shown).

[0033] In some embodiments, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the heat exchange assembly 500 includes: a mounting member 510, the mounting member 510 is fixed in the liquid tank 200; and a heat pump system having a heat exchange tube 520, the heat exchange tube 520 is wound around the outside of the mounting member 510, and the lower part of the heat exchange tube 520 is located in the liquid storage barrel 310, and the upper part is located above the annular cylinder 320, and the connecting rod 613 is vertically arranged on one side of the mounting member 510 and the heat exchange tube 520 at intervals (such as Figure 4 When the heat pump system is running, the lower portion of the heat exchange tube 520 contacts the electrolyte in the regulating barrel (i.e., in the second liquid storage area 330), absorbs the heat of the electrolyte in the second liquid storage area 330, and realizes heat exchange and cooling of the electrolyte in the second liquid storage area 330.

[0034] In some examples, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the liquid flow battery system also includes: an orifice plate 700, which is fixed in the liquid tank 200 and sleeved outside the regulating barrel, and the orifice plate 700 is dispersedly arranged with leakage holes 710, and the middle part of the orifice plate 700 is provided with a through hole 720 (that is, the annular cylinder 320 is located in the through hole 720 of the orifice plate 700), and the electrolyte flowing out from the upper end of the annular cylinder 320 falls on the orifice plate 700, and then flows downward from the leakage hole 710 on the orifice plate 700 to the first liquid storage area 210 and mixes with the electrolyte in the first liquid storage area 210, so that the temperature uniformity of the electrolyte in the first liquid storage area 210 can be better improved. In the process of the annular cylinder 320 rising and falling, the position of the orifice plate 700 does not change.

[0035] In some exemplary embodiments, Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the liquid tank 200 includes a first liquid tank and a second liquid tank, the regulating barrel includes a first regulating barrel and a second regulating barrel, the heat exchange component 500 includes a first heat exchange component 500 and a second heat exchange component 500, the orifice plate 700 includes a first orifice plate and a second orifice plate, the first regulating barrel, the first heat exchange component 500 and the first orifice plate are all arranged in the first liquid tank, the second regulating barrel, the second heat exchange component 500 and the second orifice plate are all arranged in the second liquid tank, the liquid inlet of the battery stack 100 includes a first liquid inlet and a second liquid inlet, the liquid outlet of the battery stack 100 includes a first liquid outlet communicated with the first liquid inlet and a second liquid outlet communicated with the second liquid inlet, the first liquid tank is connected to the first liquid inlet, the first regulating barrel is connected to the first liquid outlet, the second liquid tank is connected to the second liquid inlet, and the second regulating barrel is connected to the second liquid outlet. Among them, the first liquid inlet is the positive electrode liquid inlet, the first liquid outlet is the positive electrode liquid outlet, the second liquid inlet is the negative electrode liquid inlet, the second liquid outlet is the positive electrode liquid outlet, the first liquid tank contains positive electrode electrolyte, and the second liquid tank contains negative electrode electrolyte.

[0036] This solution controls the temperature of the positive electrode electrolyte in the first liquid tank and the negative electrode electrolyte in the second liquid tank to ensure that the temperature of the positive electrode electrolyte and the negative electrode electrolyte are between the second temperature threshold and the first temperature threshold. In this way, the energy storage effect of the liquid flow battery system is better and the service life of the positive electrode electrolyte and the negative electrode electrolyte is longer.

[0037] It can be, for example Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the nitrogen generator is provided as one, that is, the two air inlets of the two air containing chambers 615 are connected through one nitrogen generator; or it can be that the nitrogen generator is provided as two, that is, the two nitrogen generators are connected with the two air inlets of the two air containing chambers 615 in a one-to-one correspondence, etc.; the above can achieve the purpose of the present application, and its purpose does not deviate from the design concept of the present invention, and will not be repeated here, and should all fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0038] The control method of the liquid flow battery system provided in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, including: Obtaining the temperature T of the electrolyte contained in the liquid tank; Based on T≥the first temperature threshold T1, the driving assembly is controlled to drive the annular cylinder 320 to move upward; Based on T≤the first temperature threshold T2, the driving assembly is controlled to drive the annular cylinder 320 to move downward; Among them, T1>T2.

[0039] When T≥T1, the temperature of the electrolyte contained in the liquid tank is too high. At this time, the control driving component drives the annular cylinder 320 to move upward, thereby increasing the height of the second liquid storage area 330 (such as Figure 1As shown in the figure, the liquid storage volume of the second liquid storage area 330 is increased, the portion of the heat exchange component 500 located inside the regulating barrel is increased, and the portion of the heat exchange component 500 located outside the regulating barrel is reduced. In this way, the contact area between the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area 330 and the heat exchange component 500 is increased, and the cooling effect of the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area 330 is further improved, thereby achieving the cooling of the electrolyte inside the first liquid storage area 210 and the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area 330 to below T1.

[0040] When T≤T2, the temperature of the electrolyte is low, and the control driving assembly drives the annular cylinder 320 to move downward, thereby reducing the height of the second liquid storage area 330 (eg Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the liquid storage amount of the second liquid storage area 330 is reduced, the portion of the heat exchange component 500 located inside the regulating barrel is reduced, and the portion of the heat exchange component 500 located outside the regulating barrel is increased. In this way, the contact area between the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area 330 and the heat exchange component 500 is reduced, and the cooling effect of the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area 330 is deteriorated, thereby achieving the electrolyte inside the first liquid storage area 210 and the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area 330 to be heated to above T2.

[0041] In some embodiments, Figure 6 As shown, the step of controlling the driving assembly to drive the annular cylinder 320 to move upward includes: controlling the air supply machine 621 to operate, and controlling the first switch valve 622 to close.

[0042] When the first switch valve 622 is closed and the air supply machine 621 is running, the air supply machine 621 supplies air from the air inlet to the air containing chamber 615. Under the action of the gas pressure in the air containing chamber 615, the piston 612, the connecting rod 613 and the annular cylinder 320 move upward to increase the height of the second liquid storage area 330, so that the liquid storage amount of the second liquid storage area 330 increases, the part of the heat exchange component 500 located inside the regulating barrel increases, and the part of the heat exchange component 500 located outside the regulating barrel decreases. In this way, the contact area between the electrolyte in the second liquid storage area 330 and the heat exchange component 500 increases, and the cooling effect of the electrolyte in the second liquid storage area 330 (that is, the heat exchange efficiency between the electrolyte in the second liquid storage area 330 and the heat exchange tube 520) is further improved, so as to achieve the electrolyte in the first liquid storage area 210 and the electrolyte in the second liquid storage area 330. Cooling to below T1.

[0043] In some embodiments, Figure 6 As shown, the step of controlling the driving assembly to drive the annular cylinder 320 to move downward includes: controlling the air supply machine 621 to stop, and controlling the first switch valve 622 to open.

[0044] When the first switch valve 622 is opened and the air supply machine 621 stops, the air supply machine 621 no longer supplies air from the air inlet to the air chamber 615, and the piston 612, the connecting rod 613 and the annular cylinder 320 move downward, thereby reducing the height of the second liquid storage area 330, so that the liquid storage amount of the second liquid storage area 330 is reduced, the part of the heat exchange component 500 located inside the regulating barrel is reduced, and the part of the heat exchange component 500 located outside the regulating barrel is increased. In this way, the contact area between the electrolyte in the second liquid storage area 330 and the heat exchange component 500 is reduced, and the cooling effect of the electrolyte in the second liquid storage area 330 (that is, the heat exchange efficiency between the electrolyte in the second liquid storage area 330 and the heat exchange tube 520) becomes worse, so as to achieve the electrolyte in the first liquid storage area 210 and the electrolyte in the second liquid storage area 330 to be heated to above T2.

[0045] In some embodiments, T1 can be set to about 34° C., and T2 can be set to about 27° C. If the temperature of the electrolyte in the flow battery system is within the range of T2 to T1, the energy storage effect of the flow battery system is better, and the service life of the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte is longer.

[0046] To summarize, in the liquid flow battery system provided in the embodiment of the present application, an electrolyte is contained in a liquid tank, and the liquid level of the electrolyte contained in the liquid tank is lower than the upper end of the annular cylinder. When the liquid flow battery system is running, the electrolyte flowing out from the liquid outlet of the battery stack is supplied to the second liquid storage area. After the second liquid storage area is filled with electrolyte, as the liquid outlet of the battery stack continues to supply electrolyte into the second liquid storage area, the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area will overflow from the upper end of the annular cylinder to the first liquid storage area. In this process, the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area exchanges heat with the part of the heat exchange component located inside the regulating barrel, and the high-temperature electrolyte flowing back from the liquid outlet of the battery stack is centrally cooled by the part of the heat exchange component located inside the regulating barrel, so that the cooling effect of the high-temperature electrolyte flowing back from the liquid outlet of the battery stack is better.

[0047] When the temperature of the electrolyte contained in the liquid tank is not lower than the first temperature threshold, the temperature of the electrolyte is too high. At this time, the control driving component drives the annular cylinder to move upward to increase the height of the second liquid storage area, so that the liquid storage amount of the second liquid storage area increases, the part of the heat exchange component located inside the regulating barrel increases, and the part of the heat exchange component located outside the regulating barrel decreases. In this way, the contact area between the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area and the heat exchange component increases, and the cooling effect of the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area is further improved, so as to achieve the electrolyte inside the first liquid storage area and the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area. Cooling to below the first temperature threshold.

[0048] When the temperature of the electrolyte contained in the liquid tank is not higher than the second temperature threshold (the second temperature threshold is less than the first temperature threshold), the temperature of the electrolyte is low. At this time, the control driving component drives the annular cylinder to move downward to reduce the height of the second liquid storage area, so that the liquid storage amount of the second liquid storage area is reduced, the part of the heat exchange component located inside the regulating barrel is reduced, and the part of the heat exchange component located outside the regulating barrel is increased. In this way, the contact area between the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area and the heat exchange component is reduced, and the cooling effect of the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area becomes worse, so as to achieve the electrolyte inside the first liquid storage area and the electrolyte inside the second liquid storage area. The temperature is raised to above the second temperature threshold.

[0049] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0050] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features.

[0051] In the description of the present application, “plurality” means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0052] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0053] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being “above” or “below” a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being “above”, “above”, and “above” a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being “below”, “below”, and “below” a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0054] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0055] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and cannot be understood as limitations on the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A liquid flow battery system, characterized in that: include: Battery stack; A liquid tank, the stack is located outside the liquid tank, the liquid tank is connected to the liquid inlet of the stack, and is configured to contain electrolyte and supply electrolyte to the stack; A regulating barrel is arranged in the liquid tank and comprises a liquid storage barrel with an upper opening and an annular cylinder penetrating from top to bottom. A sealing sleeve of the annular cylinder that can move up and down is arranged outside the liquid storage barrel, and the upper end of the annular cylinder is not lower than the upper end of the liquid storage barrel. The regulating barrel is connected to the liquid outlet of the battery stack. A first liquid storage area is formed between the regulating barrel and the liquid tank, and a second liquid storage area is formed inside the regulating barrel. A heat exchange assembly, the lower portion of which is located in the regulating barrel and the upper portion of which is located above the annular cylinder; and The driving assembly is connected to the annular cylinder and is configured to controllably drive the annular cylinder to move up and down so as to adjust the height of the second liquid storage area.

2. The liquid flow battery system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive assembly comprises: A cylinder device connected to the annular cylinder and configured to drive the annular cylinder to move up and down; and The air supply device is connected to the cylinder device and is configured to drive the cylinder device to extend and retract.

3. The liquid flow battery system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cylinder device comprises a cylinder barrel, a piston and a connecting rod, wherein the cylinder barrel is located above the annular barrel, the piston is located in the cylinder barrel and forms an air-containing cavity with the lower part of the cylinder barrel, the air-containing cavity is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet, and the connecting rod is sealingly penetrated through the bottom wall of the air-containing cavity and connects the piston and the annular barrel; The air supply device comprises an air supply machine and a first switch valve, the air supply machine is connected to the air inlet, and the first switch valve is arranged at the air outlet.

4. The liquid flow battery system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cylinder device further comprises an elastic member, the elastic member is located in the air containing cavity, and the connecting rod is connected to the piston via the elastic member; The air supply machine is a nitrogen generator, and a one-way valve is provided between the nitrogen generator and the air inlet.

5. The liquid flow battery system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cylinder seal is penetrated through the top wall of the liquid tank, the air supply machine, the air inlet and the air outlet are all located outside the liquid tank, and the air inlet is located below the air outlet. The outlet of the first switch valve is connected to the liquid tank, and a breathing valve and a hydrogen exhaust valve are also provided on the top of the liquid tank.

6. The liquid flow battery system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange component comprises: A mounting member fixed in the liquid tank; and A heat pump system with a heat exchange tube, wherein the heat exchange tube is wound outside the mounting member, and the lower portion of the heat exchange tube is located in the liquid storage barrel, and the upper portion is located above the annular cylinder.

7. The liquid flow battery system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: Also includes: The orifice plate is fixed in the liquid tank and sleeved outside the regulating barrel, and the orifice plate is provided with liquid leakage holes dispersedly arranged.

8. The liquid flow battery system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The liquid tank includes a first liquid tank and a second liquid tank, the regulating barrel includes a first regulating barrel and a second regulating barrel, the heat exchange component includes a first heat exchange component and a second heat exchange component, the orifice plate includes a first orifice plate and a second orifice plate, the first regulating barrel, the first heat exchange component and the first orifice plate are all arranged in the first liquid tank, the second regulating barrel, the second heat exchange component and the second orifice plate are all arranged in the second liquid tank, the liquid inlet of the battery stack includes a first liquid inlet and a second liquid inlet, the liquid outlet of the battery stack includes a first liquid outlet and a second liquid outlet, the first liquid tank is connected to the first liquid inlet, the first regulating barrel is connected to the first liquid outlet, the second liquid tank is connected to the second liquid inlet, and the second regulating barrel is connected to the second liquid outlet.

9. A control method for a liquid flow battery system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: include: Obtaining the temperature T of the electrolyte contained in the liquid tank; Based on T≥first temperature threshold T1, controlling the driving assembly to drive the annular cylinder to move upward; Based on T≤first temperature threshold T2, controlling the driving assembly to drive the annular cylinder to move downward; Among them, T1>T2.

10. The control method according to claim 9, characterized in that: The step of controlling the driving assembly to drive the annular cylinder to move upward comprises: Controlling the air supply machine to operate and controlling the first switch valve to close; the step of controlling the drive assembly to drive the annular cylinder to move downward includes: The air supply machine is controlled to stop, and the first switch valve is controlled to open.

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