Redox flow battery with electromagnetically driven electrolyte
By employing electromagnetic drive components and a modular design in the flow battery, the reliability and leakage issues of the transport pump were resolved, achieving stable and uniform electrolyte flow and high-efficiency battery performance.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-10
AI Technical Summary
The transport pumps in existing flow batteries have low reliability, are susceptible to mechanical wear and leakage, and require frequent maintenance.
Electromagnetic drive components are used to replace traditional transport pumps. By laying electromagnetic coils on the outside of the transport pipeline and applying alternating or direct current to generate a controllable magnetic field, the electrolyte solution is directed to flow by utilizing its charge. The flow is optimized by combining a split modular drive unit and acceleration components.
It improves system reliability, avoids mechanical wear and leakage risks, reduces maintenance costs, and enhances electrolyte flow efficiency and battery charge/discharge performance.
Smart Images
Figure CN121839779A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of new energy storage technology, and in particular to a flow battery with an electromagnetically driven electrolyte. Background Technology
[0002] A flow battery is a high-performance battery that utilizes separate, independently circulating electrolyte solutions at its positive and negative electrodes. It achieves the interconversion of electrical and chemical energy through reversible redox reactions (i.e., reversible changes in valence states) of the active materials in the positive and negative electrode electrolyte solutions. During charging, oxidation occurs at the positive electrode, increasing the valence state of the active materials, while reduction occurs at the negative electrode, decreasing the valence state. The discharge process is the reverse. Unlike conventional solid-state batteries, the positive and / or negative electrode electrolyte solutions in a flow battery are stored in an external tank and transported to the battery interior via pumps and pipelines for the reaction.
[0003] However, since the transport pump is a mechanical structure, refer to... Figure 1 In the figure, 01 is a transport pump, 02 is a pipeline for transporting electrolyte, 03 is a container for storing electrolyte, 04 is a battery, 05 is a bipolar plate, and 06 is an ion membrane. In the prior art, the electrolyte is driven to flow by a transport pump. However, the transport pump has rotating parts inside, so its reliability is generally low. At the same time, there is a risk of leakage at the connection between the transport pump and the transport pipeline. Therefore, this application proposes an electromagnetically driven flow battery for electrolyte solution that does not require a transport pump. Summary of the Invention
[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this application is to provide an electromagnetically driven electrolyte flow battery to solve the technical problems in the background art.
[0005] The above-mentioned objective of this application is achieved through the following technical solution: an electromagnetically driven flow battery for electrolyte, comprising a transport pipeline system, the transport pipeline system comprising a pair of bipolar plates, a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate fixedly connected between the bipolar plates, and a storage tank at both ends for holding electrolyte solution, the upper and lower ends of the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate being connected to transport pipes, the other two ends of the transport pipes being connected to the storage tank on the same side, and electromagnetic drive components for driving the flow of electrolyte solution being disposed at multiple locations on the outside of the transport pipeline system.
[0006] Furthermore, the electromagnetic drive assembly includes electromagnetic coils or permanent magnets connected to multiple locations outside the entire transport pipeline system.
[0007] By employing the above technical solution, an electromagnetic coil is laid on the outside of the transport pipeline and storage tank, and an alternating or direct current is applied to generate a controllable magnetic field. Since the electrolyte solution itself is charged, the charged particles in the electrolyte solution are affected by electromagnetic force, thus causing the charged particles in the electrolyte solution to move in a directional manner within the transport pipeline. Electromagnetic drive has no moving parts, avoiding the mechanical wear and bearing jamming problems of traditional pumps, improving overall reliability. It also eliminates the noise generated by traditional transport pumps. Furthermore, since the transport pipeline does not need to be connected to other mechanical components, it avoids the risk of leakage at the connection joints, and also reduces subsequent use and maintenance costs.
[0008] The drive transport component in this application can also be configured as a modular unit. Specifically, the drive transport component can be multiple drive units installed on the transport pipeline system (transport pipeline, storage tank, etc.). Each drive unit contains an electromagnetic coil, with the coils connected end-to-end and axially attached to the transport pipeline or storage tank. A magnet, which can be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, can also be placed inside the axially attached electromagnetic coil. Multiple drive units can be flexibly installed in different locations according to the actual layout and complexity of the transport pipeline system (transport pipeline, storage tank, etc.). Whether in curved pipes, narrow spaces, or around storage tanks of different shapes and sizes, the drive units can be precisely placed without requiring large-scale modifications to the overall system to accommodate the drive components, greatly improving installation convenience and efficiency.
[0009] This application employs a modular, separate design for the drive and transport components. Each drive unit is axially attached to the transport pipeline and storage tank. This layout allows the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil to form a continuous and stable magnetic field region. The magnetic fields of multiple distributed drive units are controlled and coordinated by the drive control system, enabling synchronous flow of the electrolyte throughout the pipeline system. This reduces losses due to the mutual movement of electrolytes, thereby more effectively propelling the electrolyte solution in a directional manner within the transport pipeline and improving drive efficiency. Compared to a single pump-driven component, this design achieves better uniform and stable transport of the electrolyte solution.
[0010] The magnet placed inside the axially fitted electromagnetic coil can be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. Permanent magnets provide a stable magnetic field without requiring an additional power supply, reducing energy consumption and system complexity; while electromagnets allow for flexible control of the magnetic field strength and direction by adjusting the magnitude and direction of the current. In practical applications, the appropriate magnet type or the parameters of the electromagnet can be dynamically adjusted based on factors such as the characteristics of the electrolyte solution (e.g., conductivity, viscosity), the battery's operating state (e.g., charging and discharging processes), and environmental conditions. This allows for precise control of the electrolyte solution flow, optimizing battery performance and efficiency.
[0011] Furthermore, an acceleration component is installed inside the transport pipeline.
[0012] Furthermore, the acceleration component includes a lightweight flow velocity pipe fixedly installed inside the transport pipe, and the lightweight flow velocity pipe has vortices inside, with multiple sets of vortices inside the lightweight flow velocity pipe.
[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, in this application, when the electromagnetic coil is powered to generate a strong magnetic force, the electromagnetic force generated by the electromagnetic coil drives the electrolyte solution to flow axially along the pipe, and the vortex or vortex ear changes the local flow field of the fluid (such as generating secondary flow or vortex), converting axial kinetic energy into radial kinetic energy, thereby enhancing the mixing effect.
[0014] In summary, this application includes the following beneficial technical effects: by laying an electromagnetic coil on the outside of the pipeline and applying alternating or direct current to generate a controllable magnetic field, and utilizing the charged characteristics of the electrolyte solution, the charged particles in it are caused to move in a direction in the transport pipeline under the action of electromagnetic force. This drive has no moving parts, avoids the problems of wear and bearing jamming in traditional pumping machinery, and greatly improves the overall reliability.
[0015] It also avoids the noise of traditional transport pumps, eliminates the need for transport pipelines to connect with other mechanical components, avoids the risk of leakage at the connectors, and reduces the cost of later use and maintenance.
[0016] The modular design of the drive transport component in this application is particularly effective. It consists of multiple drive units installed on the transport pipeline system (transport pipelines, storage tanks, etc.). Each drive unit contains an electromagnetic coil and is controlled by a drive control unit, axially attached to the transport pipeline or storage tank. This modular design allows for more flexible installation, enabling precise placement of each drive unit according to the layout and requirements of the actual transport pipeline system. This facilitates independent and precise control of the electrolyte solution flow in different areas. The magnetic fields of multiple distributed drive units are controlled and coordinated by the drive control system, ensuring synchronous electrolyte flow throughout the pipeline system and reducing electrolyte loss due to mutual movement. This significantly improves electrolyte flow efficiency and greatly increases the upper limit of high-current charging and discharging.
[0017] Meanwhile, a magnet can be placed inside the axially fitted electromagnetic coil and installed inside the drive unit. The magnet can be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, which further enriches the diversity and adjustability of the drive method. It can flexibly adjust the magnetic field strength and drive effect according to different working scenarios and electrolyte solution characteristics, and optimize the flow state of the electrolyte solution. The acceleration components installed inside the transport pipeline also play a crucial role. Due to the differences in shape and volume of various components in the entire transport pipeline system, the constraints on the fluid vary considerably. The internal acceleration components, through proper design, can reduce these differences. When the electromagnetic coil generates a strong magnetic force to propel the electrolyte solution along the axial direction of the pipeline, the vortices within the lightweight flow velocity pipe of the acceleration components change the local flow field of the fluid, such as generating secondary flow and vortices, converting axial kinetic energy into radial kinetic energy, enhancing the mixing effect, and improving the working efficiency of the battery. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure in the existing technology; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the lightweight flow velocity pipe structure in the embodiment; Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Sectional view along section line AA; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[0019] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Embodiment 4 of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the driving unit structure in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure after adding a magnet to the drive unit structure in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Reference numerals: 1. Bipolar plate; 10. Ion membrane; 11. Positive electrode plate; 12. Negative electrode plate; 13. Storage tank; 2. Transport pipeline; 20. Drive unit; 200. Magnet; 21. Electromagnetic coil; 23. Lightweight flow velocity pipe; 25. Vortex; 26. Vortex lug. Detailed Implementation
[0022] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0023] Example 1, referring to Figure 2A flow battery with an electromagnetically driven electrolyte includes a transport pipeline system, a pair of bipolar plates 1, a positive electrode plate 11 and a negative electrode plate 12 fixedly connected between the bipolar plates 1, and a storage tank 13 with both ends for holding electrolyte solution. An ion exchange membrane 10 is fixedly disposed between the positive electrode plate 11 and the negative electrode plate 12. Transport pipelines 2 are connected to both the upper and lower ends of the positive electrode plate 11 and the negative electrode plate 12, and the two ends of the transport pipelines 2 are respectively connected to the storage tank 13 on the corresponding side. An electromagnetic drive assembly for driving the flow of electrolyte solution is disposed on the outer side of the transport pipelines 2. The electromagnetic drive assembly includes electromagnetic coils 21 wound and attached to the outer side of the transport pipelines 2, with equal spacing between the coils. An acceleration component is disposed inside the transport pipelines 2. By laying an electromagnetic coil 21 on the outer side of the transport pipe and applying alternating or direct current, a controllable magnetic field is generated. Since the electrolyte solution itself is charged, the charged particles in the electrolyte solution are subjected to electromagnetic force, thus causing the charged particles in the electrolyte solution to move in a directional manner within the transport pipe 2. The arrows in the figure indicate the flow direction of the electrolyte solution. The electromagnetic drive has no moving parts, avoiding problems such as mechanical wear and bearing jamming associated with traditional pumping, thereby improving overall reliability. It should also be noted that in this application, the alternating or direct current applied to the electromagnetic coil 21 can be controlled by connecting a DCU (Drive Control Unit). The specific drive control unit can be a computer, microcontroller, etc.
[0024] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 An acceleration component is installed inside the transport pipeline 2. The acceleration component includes a lightweight velocity pipe 23 fixedly installed inside the transport pipeline. The lightweight velocity pipe 23 has vortex grooves 25 or vortex lugs 26 inside, and multiple sets of vortex grooves 25 or vortex lugs 26 are provided inside the lightweight velocity pipe 23.
[0025] In this application, when the electromagnetic coil is powered to generate a strong magnetic force, the electromagnetic force generated by the electromagnetic coil 21 propels the electrolyte solution to flow axially along the pipeline. The vortex channel 25 or vortex lug 26, by altering the local flow field of the fluid (such as generating secondary flow or vortices), converts axial kinetic energy into radial kinetic energy, enhancing the mixing effect. Due to the differences in shape and volume of various components in the entire transport pipeline system, the fluid constraint conditions vary considerably. The internal acceleration components, through reasonable design, can reduce these differences.
[0026] Example 2, refer to Figure 5The difference between this embodiment and the previous one is that the electromagnetic coil 21 wound around the outside of the transport pipe 2 is in the form of multiple spirals and is perpendicular to the axis of the transport pipe 2. The spirally wound electromagnetic coil 21, which is perpendicular to the axis of the transport pipe 2, can generate a more uniform and controllable magnetic field around the transport pipe 2. The uniform magnetic field distribution helps to ensure that the charged particles in the electrolyte solution are subjected to a consistent electromagnetic force, thereby improving the driving efficiency.
[0027] Multiple sets of spirally wound electromagnetic coils 21 can increase the strength and coverage of the magnetic field, allowing more charged particles to be driven by electromagnetic force simultaneously. This helps to increase the flow rate of the electrolyte solution, thereby improving the charging and discharging efficiency of the battery.
[0028] Example 3, referring to Figure 6 The difference between this embodiment and other embodiments and implementations is that an electromagnetic coil 21 is also wound around the outside of the storage tank 13. The electromagnetic coil 21 on the outside of the storage tank 13 and the coil of the transport pipeline 2 form a cooperative magnetic field system, which can pre-magnetize the electrolyte solution in the storage tank 13. By adjusting the current intensity of the coil of the storage tank 13, the initial distribution of charged particles in the electrolyte solution can be changed, so that it forms an orderly flow when it enters the transport pipeline 2, reducing turbulence loss at the pipeline inlet and improving the overall driving efficiency.
[0029] Meanwhile, the electromagnetic coil 21 on the outside of the storage tank 13 can also be spiral-shaped and vertically attached to the outside of the storage tank 13.
[0030] In this application, an electromagnet 200 or a magnet 200 can be placed in the coil. Using an electromagnet 200 in the transport pipeline 2 allows for real-time adjustment of the flow rate (e.g., enhancing the magnetic field to accelerate ion transport during charging, and weakening the magnetic field to reduce energy consumption during discharging). The magnet 200 provides a static, stable magnetic field, suitable for scenarios requiring high flow rate stability. The advantage of electromagnetic drive lies in the absence of moving parts; the introduction of either an electromagnet 200 or a permanent magnet 200 does not compromise this characteristic. On the contrary, it can further improve system efficiency by optimizing the magnetic field distribution.
[0031] Example 4, refer to Figure 7 , Figure 8 as well as Figure 9The difference between Embodiment 1, Embodiments 2, Embodiment 3, and Embodiment 4 lies in that the driving and transporting assembly includes a driving unit 20 installed on the outside of the transport pipeline 2 and the storage tank 13. Each driving unit 20 is equipped with an electromagnetic coil 21. The electromagnetic coils within each driving unit 20 are connected end-to-end. This application utilizes a modular, separate design for the driving and transporting assembly, with the electromagnetic coils on each driving unit 20 connected end-to-end and axially attached to the transport pipeline 2 and the storage tank. This arrangement allows the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coils to form a continuous and stable magnetic field region. The magnetic fields of multiple distributed driving units 20 are controlled and coordinated by the driving control system, enabling synchronous flow of the electrolyte throughout the pipeline system. This reduces losses due to the mutual movement of the electrolyte and enhances the force of the magnetic field on charged particles in the electrolyte solution, thereby more effectively propelling the electrolyte solution to flow directionally in the transport pipeline 2 and improving driving efficiency. Compared to a single, integrated driving assembly, this design better achieves uniform and stable transport of the electrolyte solution.
[0032] The magnet 200 placed inside the axially fitted electromagnetic coil can be a permanent magnet 200 or an electromagnet 200, etc. The permanent magnet 200 provides a stable magnetic field without requiring an additional power supply, reducing energy consumption and system complexity; while the electromagnet 200 allows for flexible control of the magnetic field strength and direction by adjusting the current magnitude and direction. In practical applications, the appropriate type of magnet 200 or the parameters of the electromagnet 200 can be selected or dynamically adjusted based on factors such as the characteristics of the electrolyte solution (e.g., conductivity, viscosity), the battery's operating state (e.g., charging and discharging processes), and environmental conditions. This achieves precise control of the electrolyte solution flow, optimizing battery performance and efficiency. The magnetic fields of multiple distributed drive units 20 are controlled and coordinated by the drive control system, enabling synchronous electrolyte flow throughout the pipeline system and reducing electrolyte loss due to mutual movement. This significantly improves electrolyte flow efficiency and greatly increases the upper limit of high-current charging and discharging.
[0033] Specific implementation process: When the flow battery starts, an external power source applies alternating or direct current to the electromagnetic coil 21, generating a uniform and controllable magnetic field outside the transport pipeline 2. The electrolyte solution flows from the storage tank 13 into the transport pipeline 2, where charged particles are subjected to electromagnetic force in the magnetic field and flow directionally along the pipeline axis, thus driving the electrolyte solution with magneto-electromagnetic force. When the electrolyte solution flows through the acceleration component with built-in vortex 25, the vortex structure changes the fluid flow field, generating local vortices and secondary flows, converting axial kinetic energy into radial kinetic energy, enhancing the mixing effect. Under the combined action of electromagnetic drive and vortex acceleration, the electrolyte solution circulates efficiently and stably to the positive and negative electrode panels 12 to complete the electrochemical reaction. The reacted electrolyte solution returns to the storage tank 13, forming a closed-loop cycle.
[0034] The embodiments described in this specific implementation are preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.
Claims
1. A flow battery with an electromagnetically driven electrolyte, characterized in that, The system includes a transport pipeline system comprising a pair of bipolar plates (1), a positive electrode plate (11) and a negative electrode plate (12) fixedly connected between the bipolar plates (1), and a storage tank (13) with both ends for holding electrolyte solution. The positive electrode plate (11) and the negative electrode plate (12) are connected to transport pipes (2) at their upper and lower ends, and the other two ends of the transport pipes (2) are respectively connected to the storage tank (13) on the same side. An electromagnetic drive component for driving the flow of electrolyte solution is provided on the outside of the transport pipeline system.
2. The electromagnetically driven electrolyte flow battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electromagnetic drive assembly includes electromagnetic coils (21) or magnets (200) located at multiple locations outside the entire transport pipeline system.
3. The electromagnetically driven electrolyte flow battery according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transport pipeline (2) is equipped with an acceleration component.
4. The electromagnetically driven electrolyte flow battery according to claim 3, characterized in that, The acceleration component includes a lightweight flow velocity pipe (23) fixedly installed inside the transport pipe (2). The lightweight flow velocity pipe (23) has vortex grooves (25) or vortex ears (26) inside. Multiple sets of vortex grooves (25) or vortex ears (26) are provided inside the lightweight flow velocity pipe (23).