Immersed evaporator for flow battery system

Abstract

The invention discloses an immersion type evaporator for a redox flow battery system, which comprises electrolyte storage tanks and evaporators, the evaporators are installed in the anode electrolyte storage tank and the cathode electrolyte storage tank, and each evaporator is composed of a refrigerant inlet, a refrigerant outlet, an evaporator structure, a reinforcing rib, a refrigerant capillary tube array and a structure support plate; a condenser is fixed at the upper end of the electrolyte outlet pool, a refrigerant inlet header pipe and a refrigerant return header pipe are arranged at the lower end of the condenser, the refrigerant inlet header pipe is connected with the refrigerant inlet, and the refrigerant outlet is connected with the refrigerant return header pipe. When the evaporator is used, a refrigerant medium refrigerated by the condenser enters the refrigerant liquid inlet header pipe and enters the refrigerant capillary tube nests through the refrigerant liquid inlet of the evaporator, the refrigerant medium exchanges heat with electrolyte through the surrounding refrigerant capillary tube nests, and the heat of the electrolyte is taken away or the electrolyte is heated; and the refrigerant medium subjected to heat exchange flows back to the refrigerant liquid return header pipe through the refrigerant liquid outlet, finally enters the condenser, and is continuously circulated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of flow batteries, and particularly relates to an immersion evaporator for a flow battery system. Background Art

[0002] A flow battery is a large-scale energy storage battery in which ions of different valence states achieve charge and discharge through electron transition. Since the flow battery system generates a large amount of heat during the discharge stage, the electrolyte temperature rises significantly. Based on the characteristics that ions of different valence states in the electrolyte are prone to crystallization or precipitation when encountering high temperature or low temperature. Whether in the charged, discharged or static state, the temperature of the electrolyte must be maintained within a certain range after activation.

[0003] During the operation of the battery system, it is necessary to cool the electrolyte in time to avoid precipitation or crystallization. Currently, the commonly used evaporator in the field of flow batteries is a shell-and-tube evaporator, which is installed in the pipe system. However, during system operation, the evaporator will additionally increase the flow resistance of the pipe system, thereby increasing the pump power consumption; and due to the material characteristics of the evaporator tube arranged at the positive electrode, there is an obvious temperature difference between the positive and negative electrodes during system operation, resulting in additional energy consumption during temperature control.

[0004] In addition, it is difficult to effectively control the temperature of the positive and negative electrolyte solutions separately during the long-term shutdown and maintenance of the flow battery system.

[0005] Therefore, the research on the immersion evaporator installed in the flow battery capacity unit is of great significance for temperature control during maintenance and reduction of the auxiliary power consumption of the system.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, we propose an immersion evaporator for a flow battery system. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an immersion evaporator for a flow battery system. By installing the evaporator in the positive and negative electrolyte solutions, while improving the heat exchange capacity between the electrolyte and the evaporator during the overhaul and static state of the circulation system, it can also reduce the auxiliary power consumption of the battery system and improve the system efficiency by reducing the temperature difference between the positive and negative electrolyte solutions and the pipe flow resistance during system operation.

[0008] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention is realized through the following technical solutions:

[0009] The present invention relates to an immersion evaporator for a flow battery system, which includes an electrolyte storage tank and an evaporator. The evaporator is installed in the positive and negative electrolyte storage tanks. The evaporator is composed of a refrigerant inlet, a refrigerant outlet, an evaporator structure, a plurality of reinforcing ribs, refrigerant capillary tubes, and a structure support plate. The structure support plate is fixed on one side surface of the evaporator structure. A plurality of the reinforcing ribs are cross-fixed inside the evaporator structure. The refrigerant capillary tubes are arranged in a circular pattern around the intersection center of the reinforcing ribs and are installed from the inside to the outside. The refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet are respectively installed on both sides of the upper surface of the evaporator structure. The two ends of the refrigerant capillary tubes are respectively communicated with the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet.

[0010] A condenser is fixed at the upper end of the electrolyte outlet tank. A refrigerant inlet main pipe and a refrigerant return main pipe are respectively arranged at the lower end of the condenser. The refrigerant inlet main pipe is connected to the refrigerant inlet, and the refrigerant outlet is connected to the refrigerant return main pipe.

[0011] In one embodiment, a plurality of elliptical diversion holes are evenly arranged on one surface of the structure support plate to facilitate the flow of the electrolyte, increasing the convection and heat conduction effects. Circular diversion holes are provided on the side plate of the evaporator structure to prevent the static stagnation of the electrolyte from affecting the convection and heat transfer efficiency.

[0012] In one embodiment, the refrigerant medium in the refrigerant capillary tubes is chilled water, or a mixed liquid with different proportions mainly composed of water and alcohols.

[0013] In one embodiment, the refrigerant capillary tubes are completely immersed below the liquid level of the electrolyte in the electrolyte storage tank.

[0014] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] The present invention can be applicable to electrolyte states with different valence states, is corrosion-resistant, and can realize the ability to heat and cool the positive and negative electrolytes simultaneously. It can realize the temperature control ability of the electrolyte during the maintenance and repair of the battery system. It can reduce the flow resistance of the flow battery pipeline system, thereby reducing the system power consumption and improving the system efficiency.

[0016] When the present invention is in use, the refrigerant medium cooled by the condenser enters the refrigerant inlet main pipe, and then enters the refrigerant capillary tubes through the refrigerant inlet of the evaporator. The refrigerant medium exchanges heat with the electrolyte through the surrounding refrigerant capillary tubes, taking away the heat of the electrolyte or heating the electrolyte. The heat-exchanged refrigerant medium flows back to the refrigerant return main pipe through the refrigerant outlet, and finally enters the condenser, and then continuously circulates to realize heat exchange.

[0017] Of course, it is not necessary for any product implementing the present invention to achieve all the above-mentioned advantages simultaneously. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the group installation of the immersion evaporator for the flow battery system;

[0020] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the overall structure of an immersion evaporator for a flow battery system;

[0021] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a partial structure of an immersion evaporator for a flow battery system.

[0022] In the drawings, the list of components represented by each mark is as follows:

[0023] 1. Electrolyte storage tank; 2. Electrolyte; 3. Total refrigerant inlet pipe; 4. Total refrigerant return pipe; 5. Evaporator; 6. Condenser; 7. Refrigerant inlet; 8. Refrigerant outlet; 9. Evaporator structure; 10. Reinforcing rib; 11. Refrigerant capillary tube; 12. Structural support plate; 13. Flow guiding hole. Detailed implementation manners

[0024] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "middle", "outer", "inner", etc. indicating orientation or positional relationships are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the components or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0026] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "installed", "provided with", "connected", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connected" 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 directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 1-3 As shown, the present invention is an immersion evaporator for a liquid flow battery system, including an electrolyte storage tank 1 and an evaporator 5. The evaporator 5 is installed in the positive and negative electrolyte storage tanks 1. The evaporator 5 is composed of a refrigerant inlet 7, a refrigerant outlet 8, an evaporator structure 9, a number of reinforcing ribs 10, refrigerant capillary tubes 11, and a structure support plate 12. The structure support plate 12 is fixed to one side surface of the evaporator structure 9. A number of reinforcing ribs 10 are cross-fixed inside the evaporator structure 9. The refrigerant capillary tubes 11 are arranged around the intersection center of the reinforcing ribs 10 and are installed from the inside to the outside in a circular arrangement. The refrigerant inlet 7 and the refrigerant outlet 8 are respectively installed on both sides of the upper surface of the evaporator structure 9. Both ends of the refrigerant capillary tubes 11 are respectively communicated with the refrigerant inlet 7 and the refrigerant outlet 8.

[0028] A condenser 6 is fixed at the upper end of the electrolyte outlet tank 1. A refrigerant inlet main pipe 3 and a refrigerant return main pipe 4 are respectively arranged at the lower end of the condenser 6. The refrigerant inlet main pipe 3 is connected to the refrigerant inlet 7, and the refrigerant outlet 8 is connected to the refrigerant return main pipe 4.

[0029] Further, a number of elliptical diversion holes 13 are evenly distributed on one surface of the structure support plate 12 to facilitate the flow of the electrolyte and increase the convection and heat conduction effects. Circular diversion holes are opened on the side plates of the evaporator structure 9 to avoid the influence of electrolyte stagnation on the convection and heat transfer efficiency.

[0030] Further, the refrigerant medium in the refrigerant capillary tubes 11 is frozen water, or a mixed liquid with different proportions mainly composed of water and alcohols.

[0031] Further, the refrigerant capillary tubes 11 are completely immersed below the liquid level of the electrolyte 2 in the electrolyte storage tank 1.

[0032] Please refer to Figure 1 As shown, the working mechanism of an immersion evaporator for a liquid flow battery system in this embodiment is as follows: The refrigerant medium cooled by the condenser 6 enters the refrigerant inlet main pipe 3, and then enters the refrigerant capillary tubes 11 through the refrigerant inlet 7 of the evaporator 5. The refrigerant medium exchanges heat with the electrolyte 2 through the surrounding refrigerant capillary tubes 11, taking away the heat of the electrolyte 2 or heating the electrolyte 2. The heat-exchanged refrigerant medium flows back to the refrigerant return main pipe 4 through the refrigerant outlet 8, and finally enters the condenser 6, and then circulates continuously.

[0033] It should be further noted that the main structure of the evaporator 5 is made of acid-resistant and insulating materials. The connection between structural parts adopts a welding type, or is connected by plastic-coated bolts or other acid-resistant bolts. The material of the refrigerant capillary tubes 11 of the evaporator 5 is acid-resistant flexible hoses. The above materials are all resistant to strong acid-based (sulfuric acid-based, hydrochloric acid-based) electrolytes and are suitable for the liquid flow battery system.

[0034] When the battery system is under operation, maintenance and repair, the evaporator 5 can achieve internal heat transfer of the electrolyte through the independent operation of the chiller, thereby effectively controlling the temperature of the electrolyte.

[0035] In the description of this specification, the descriptions with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "example", "specific example", etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. 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 can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0036] The preferred embodiments of the present invention disclosed above are only used to help explain the present invention. The preferred embodiments do not describe all the details in detail, nor do they limit the invention to the specific embodiments described. Obviously, many modifications and variations can be made according to the content of this specification. These embodiments are selected and specifically described in this specification to better explain the principles and practical applications of the present invention, so that those skilled in the art can understand and utilize the present invention well. The present invention is only limited by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.

Claims

1. An immersion evaporator for a liquid flow battery system, comprising an electrolyte storage tank (1) and an evaporator (5), wherein the evaporator (5) is installed in the positive and negative electrolyte storage tanks (1), characterized in that: The evaporator (5) is composed of a refrigerant inlet (7), a refrigerant outlet (8), an evaporator structure (9), a plurality of reinforcing ribs (10), a refrigerant capillary tube (11) and a structural support plate (12); the structural support plate (12) is fixed to a side of the evaporator structure (9), a plurality of the reinforcing ribs (10) are cross-fixed inside the evaporator structure (9), and the refrigerant capillary tube (11) is installed from the inside to the outside around the cross center of the reinforcing ribs (10) in a ring-shaped arrangement; the refrigerant inlet (7) and the refrigerant outlet (8) are respectively installed on both sides of the upper surface of the evaporator structure (9), and the two ends of the refrigerant capillary tube (11) are respectively connected to the refrigerant inlet (7) and the refrigerant outlet (8); A condenser (6) is fixed at the upper end of the electrolyte outlet pool (1), and a refrigerant inlet main pipe (3) and a refrigerant return main pipe (4) are respectively provided at the lower end of the condenser (6). The refrigerant inlet main pipe (3) is connected to the refrigerant inlet port (7), and the refrigerant outlet port (8) is connected to the refrigerant return main pipe (4).

2. The immersion evaporator for a liquid flow battery system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A surface of the structural support plate (12) is evenly provided with a plurality of elliptical flow guide holes (13); and a side plate of the evaporator structure (9) is provided with circular flow guide holes.

3. The immersion evaporator for a liquid flow battery system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigerant in the refrigerant capillary tube (11) is chilled water, or a mixed liquid with water and alcohol as main components in different proportions.

4. The immersion evaporator for a liquid flow battery system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigerant capillary tubes 11 are completely immersed below the liquid surface of the electrolyte (2) in the electrolyte storage tank (1).

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