Flow frame assembly, flow battery and flow battery stack

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of flow batteries, and discloses a flow frame assembly, a flow battery and a flow battery stack. The liquid flow frame assembly comprises a pair of first supporting plates arranged in parallel, clamping grooves are formed in the opposite sides of the first supporting plates, a pair of second supporting plates arranged in parallel are arranged between the pair of first supporting plates, and the two ends of the pair of second supporting plates are inserted into the clamping grooves. The two sides, in the thickness direction of the first supporting plates, of the clamping groove are provided with communicating flow channels communicating with the clamping groove correspondingly, the opposite sides of the pair of first supporting plates are provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet communicating with the communicating flow channels correspondingly, and electrode mounting cavities located between the pair of first supporting plates are formed in the two faces of the pair of second supporting plates correspondingly. According to the flow battery, the bipolar plate and the electrode can be combined into one for supporting through the flow frame assembly, so that the cost and the working procedures are reduced, the working reliability of the flow battery is improved, in addition, the electrode is closer to the bipolar plate, the internal resistance is further reduced, and the energy loss of the flow battery is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of flow batteries, in particular to a flow frame assembly, a flow battery and a flow battery stack. Background Art

[0002] A flow battery is a high-performance storage battery that uses separated positive and negative electrolytes for respective circulation. It has the characteristics of high capacity, wide application fields, and long cycle service life, so it has good R & D and application prospects. The most widely used flow battery is the redox flow battery, whose active substances are flowing electrolyte solutions and which widely utilizes renewable energy.

[0003] In the design of existing flow batteries and their stacks, the electrodes are often supported by electrode frames and then bonded to bipolar plates together, which has problems such as high cost, cumbersome assembly processes, low working reliability, etc. Moreover, it is often difficult to ensure tight bonding between the bipolar plates and the electrodes, resulting in increased internal resistance and serious energy loss. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a flow frame, a flow battery and a flow battery stack to solve the problems raised in the above background art.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] A flow frame assembly includes:

[0007] A pair of first support plates arranged in parallel, and grooves are formed on the opposite sides; and,

[0008] A pair of second support plates arranged in parallel, which are arranged between the pair of first support plates, and both ends are inserted into the grooves;

[0009] Wherein, the grooves are provided with conduction channels communicating with the grooves on both sides along the thickness direction of the first support plates, and liquid inlet and outlet ports communicating with the conduction channels are respectively formed on the opposite sides of the pair of first support plates;

[0010] Wherein, electrode installation cavities located between the pair of first support plates are formed on both sides of the pair of second support plates.

[0011] As a further scheme of the utility model, at least one of the pair of second support plates is detachable relative to the first support plate.

[0012] A flow battery includes:

[0013] An ion exchange membrane;

[0014] A pair of flow frame assemblies, which are respectively attached to both sides of the ion exchange membrane;

[0015] A pair of bipolar plates are respectively arranged between a pair of second support plates in each flow frame assembly, and both the upper and lower ends are inserted into the card slots; and,

[0016] A pair of electrodes are respectively installed in the electrode installation cavities on the opposite sides of a pair of flow frame assemblies, and both are in contact with the ion exchange membrane;

[0017] Wherein, the flow frame assembly is the above-mentioned flow frame assembly.

[0018] As a further solution of the present utility model, liquid inlet channels and liquid outlet channels parallel to the liquid inlet channels are arranged on both sides of the bipolar plate, and a plurality of reaction channels are communicated between the liquid inlet channels and the liquid outlet channels;

[0019] The liquid inlet channel is communicated with a conduction channel communicated with the liquid inlet, and the liquid outlet channel is communicated with a conduction channel communicated with the liquid outlet.

[0020] As a further solution of the present utility model, the shape of the reaction channel is set to be straight or serpentine.

[0021] As a further solution of the present utility model, a sealing gasket is also arranged at the joint of the conduction channel and the bipolar plate.

[0022] As a further solution of the present utility model, a plurality of positioning holes are formed in the electrode, and a plurality of positioning blocks adapted to the positioning holes are fixedly connected to the side of the second support plate in contact with the electrode.

[0023] A flow battery stack includes:

[0024] A pair of end plates;

[0025] A pair of current collector plates are attached between a pair of end plates; and,

[0026] A plurality of flow batteries are sequentially attached between a pair of current collector plates;

[0027] Wherein, the flow battery is the above-mentioned flow battery.

[0028] As a further solution of the present utility model, the current collector plate is provided with a clamping portion, and the clamping portion is clamped in the electrode installation cavity on the side of the outermost flow battery close to the current collector plate and is in contact with the bipolar plate.

[0029] As a further solution of the present utility model, a bolt assembly is further included, and the bolt assembly is used to press and fix a pair of end plates, a pair of current collector plates and a plurality of flow batteries.

[0030] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows:

[0031] By optimizing the design of the flow frame assembly, using the cooperation of a pair of first support plates and a pair of second support plates to form an electrode installation cavity for installing electrodes, the bipolar plate and the positive electrode or negative electrode can be combined into one for support, reducing costs. Moreover, the assembly process of the flow battery can be reduced, improving the working reliability of the flow battery. In addition, the positive electrode or negative electrode is closer to the bipolar plate, thereby reducing the internal resistance and avoiding energy loss of the flow battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments:

[0033] Figure 1 An exploded view of the flow battery stack provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of the flow battery provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of the flow frame assembly provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 Another schematic structural diagram of the flow frame assembly provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of the bipolar plate provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] The reference numerals in the drawings are: 1, end plate; 2, current collector plate; 3, flow frame assembly; 301, first support plate; 301a, card slot; 301b, conduction flow channel; 301c, liquid inlet; 301d, liquid outlet; 302, second support plate; 302a, positioning block; 303, gasket; 4, electrode; 5, bipolar plate; 501, liquid inlet flow channel; 502, liquid outlet flow channel; 503, reaction flow channel; 6, ion exchange membrane; 601, positioning hole; 7, bolt assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0039] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. The examples of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, where the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar elements or elements with the same or similar functions from beginning to end. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0040] Please refer to Figures 3 to 4, according to an embodiment of the present utility model, in a first aspect, a liquid flow frame assembly 3 is provided, which includes a pair of first support plates 301 arranged in parallel, and card slots 301a are formed on opposite sides thereof. A pair of second support plates 302 arranged in parallel are disposed between the pair of first support plates 301. Both ends of the pair of second support plates 302 are inserted into the card slots 301a. In addition, conduction channels 301b communicating with the card slots 301a are formed on both sides of the card slots 301a along the thickness direction of the first support plates 301. Liquid inlet ports 301c and liquid outlet ports 301d communicating with the conduction channels 301b are respectively formed on opposite sides of the pair of first support plates 301. Electrodes 4 mounting cavities located between the pair of first support plates 301 are formed on both sides of the pair of second support plates 302.

[0041] It can be seen that in an electrode 4 frame assembly, two liquid inlet ports 301c are provided, one is a positive electrode electrolyte inlet port 301c, and the other is a negative electrode electrolyte inlet port 301c; two liquid outlet ports 301d are provided, one is a positive electrode electrolyte outlet port 301d, and the other is a negative electrode electrolyte outlet port 301d; two electrodes 4 mounting cavities are also provided, one is for mounting the positive electrode 4, and the other is for mounting the negative electrode 4.

[0042] Please refer to Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present utility model, in a second aspect, a flow battery is further provided, which adopts the liquid flow frame assembly 3 in the above first aspect. Specifically, it includes an ion exchange membrane 6, a pair of liquid flow frame assemblies 3, a pair of bipolar plates 5, and a pair of electrodes 4. Among them, the pair of liquid flow frame assemblies 3 are respectively attached to both sides of the ion exchange membrane 6. The pair of bipolar plates 5 are respectively installed between the pair of second support plates 302 in each liquid flow frame assembly 3, and both upper and lower ends are inserted into the card slots 301a. A pair of electrodes 4 (including a positive electrode 4 and a negative electrode 4) are respectively installed in the electrodes 4 mounting cavities on opposite sides of the pair of liquid flow frame assemblies 3, and both are in contact with the ion exchange membrane 6. It can be seen that the ion exchange membrane 6 is disposed at the middle position of the flow battery, and the positive electrode 4 and the negative electrode 4 are separated by the ion exchange membrane 6, providing a place for the electrochemical reaction of the positive electrode electrolyte and the negative electrode electrolyte respectively.

[0043] There are many available materials for the bipolar plate 5. Considering the instability of metal materials in the flow battery, the fragility of tightly pressed graphite plates, and the poor compactness of flexible graphite plates, etc., the bipolar plate 5 in the embodiment of the present utility model preferably uses a carbon composite plate as its manufacturing material, which not only meets the use requirements of the flow battery, but also has a relatively low cost.

[0044] Therefore, through a fluid flow frame assembly 3, the bipolar plate 5 can be combined with the positive electrode 4 or the negative electrode 4 for support. There are two advantages of such an integrated design: First, it reduces costs and can also reduce the assembly process of the flow battery, improving the reliability of the flow battery operation; Second, it makes the positive electrode 4 or the negative electrode 4 closer to the bipolar plate 5, thereby reducing the internal resistance and avoiding energy loss.

[0045] In particular, to facilitate the installation of the bipolar plate 5 into the fluid flow frame assembly 3, at least one of a pair of second support plates 302 is detachable relative to the first support plate 301.

[0046] Please refer to Figure 5 , to introduce and export the electrolyte between the bipolar plate 5 and the electrode 4, liquid inlet channels 501 are provided on both sides of the bipolar plate 5, and liquid outlet channels 502 are arranged in parallel with the liquid inlet channels 501. To enable the electrolyte to undergo an electrochemical reaction with the electrode 4 when passing through, a plurality of reaction channels 503 are connected between the liquid inlet channels 501 and the liquid outlet channels 502, and the plurality of reaction channels 503 are preferably arranged at equal intervals. Among them, the liquid inlet channel 501 is connected to a conduction channel 301b communicating with the liquid inlet 301c, and the liquid outlet channel 502 is connected to the conduction channel 301b communicating with the liquid outlet 301d. In particular, the shape of the reaction channel 503 is set to be straight or serpentine (not shown in the drawings). To increase the residence time of the electrolyte in the reaction channel 503 and fully perform an electrochemical reaction with the electrode 4, the shape of the reaction channel 503 in the embodiment of the present invention is preferably set to be serpentine or other irregular shapes.

[0047] To ensure the sealing performance inside the flow battery and avoid cross-flow with another flow battery, a gasket 303 is also provided at the joint between the conduction channel 301b and the bipolar plate 5.

[0048] To facilitate the stable installation of the electrode 4 into the electrode 4 installation cavity, a plurality of positioning holes 601 are provided on the electrode 4, and a plurality of positioning blocks 302a adapted to the positioning holes 601 are fixedly connected to the side of the second support plate 302 in contact with the electrode 4. Among them, the number of positioning holes 601 is the same as the number of positioning blocks 302a.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a third aspect, a flow battery stack is further provided. The flow battery described in the second aspect above is adopted, which specifically includes a pair of end plates 1, a pair of current collector plates 2, and a plurality of flow batteries. Among them, a pair of current collector plates 2 are disposed between a pair of end plates 1. After a plurality of flow batteries are sequentially attached, they are together attached between a pair of current collector plates 2. The current generated by the plurality of flow batteries is transmitted to the current collector plates 2 and becomes a voltage output. In order to better make the current collector plates 2 fit with the bipolar plates 5 on both sides, the current collector plates 2 are provided with engaging portions, which are engaged in the electrode 4 mounting cavities on the side of the outermost flow battery close to the current collector plates 2 and contact the bipolar plates 5 to receive the current.

[0050] In addition, the flow battery further includes a bolt assembly 7, and the bolt assembly 7 is used to press and fix a pair of end plates 1, a pair of current collector plates 2, and a plurality of flow batteries, and finally complete the assembly into an overall flow battery stack.

[0051] It should be noted that in this article, relational terms such as first and second are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the term "comprising", "including" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements not expressly listed, or further includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. Without more limitations, an element defined by the statement "including an..." does not exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the said element.

[0052] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, for those of ordinary skill in the art, it can be understood that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principle and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A liquid flow frame assembly, characterized in that: include: a pair of first support plates (301) arranged in parallel, with a card slot (301a) being provided on opposite sides; and, A pair of second support plates (302) arranged in parallel, arranged between the pair of first support plates (301), and with both ends inserted into the slots (301a); Wherein, both sides of the card slot (301a) along the thickness direction of the first support plate (301) are provided with a conducting flow channel (301b) connected to the card slot (301a), and a pair of opposite sides of the first support plate (301) are respectively provided with a liquid inlet (301c) and a liquid outlet (301d) connected to the conducting flow channel (301b); Wherein, both surfaces of the pair of second support plates (302) are formed with an electrode installation cavity located between the pair of first support plates (301).

2. The liquid flow frame assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one of the pair of second support plates (302) is detachable relative to the first support plate (301).

3. A liquid flow battery, characterized in that: include: Ion exchange membranes (6); A pair of liquid flow frame assemblies (3) are respectively attached to two sides of the ion exchange membrane (6); A pair of bipolar plates (5) are respectively arranged between a pair of second support plates (302) in each liquid flow frame assembly (3), and the upper and lower ends are both inserted into the slots (301a); and, A pair of electrodes (4) are respectively mounted in the electrode (4) mounting cavities on opposite sides of a pair of liquid flow frame assemblies (3), and both are in contact with the ion exchange membrane (6); Wherein, the liquid flow frame assembly (3) is the liquid flow frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 2.

4. The flow battery according to claim 3, characterized in that: Both surfaces of the bipolar plate (5) are provided with a liquid inlet flow channel (501) and a liquid outlet flow channel (502) arranged parallel to the liquid inlet flow channel (501), and a plurality of reaction flow channels (503) are connected between the liquid inlet flow channel (501) and the liquid outlet flow channel (502); The liquid inlet flow channel (501) is in communication with a conducting flow channel (301b) in communication with a liquid inlet port (301c), and the liquid outlet flow channel (502) is in communication with a conducting flow channel (301b) in communication with a liquid outlet port (301d).

5. The flow battery according to claim 4, characterized in that: The shape of the reaction channel (503) is set to be straight or serpentine.

6. The flow battery according to claim 3, characterized in that: A sealing gasket (303) is also provided at the place where the conducting flow channel (301b) and the bipolar plate (5) are bonded.

7. The flow battery according to claim 3, characterized in that: The electrode (4) is provided with a plurality of positioning holes (601), and a plurality of positioning blocks (302a) adapted to the positioning holes (601) are fixedly connected to one side of the second support plate (302) that is in contact with the electrode (4).

8. A liquid flow battery stack, characterized in that: include: a pair of end plates (1); a pair of current collecting plates (2) disposed between the pair of end plates (1); and A plurality of liquid flow batteries are sequentially attached between a pair of current collecting plates (2); Wherein, the liquid flow battery is the liquid flow battery according to any one of claims 3 to 7.

9. The flow battery stack according to claim 8, characterized in that: The current collecting plate (2) is provided with a clamping portion, which is clamped in an electrode mounting cavity located on a side of the outermost liquid flow battery close to the current collecting plate (2) and is in contact with the bipolar plate (5).

10. The flow battery stack according to claim 8, characterized in that: It also comprises a bolt assembly (7), wherein the bolt assembly (7) is used to compress and fix a pair of end plates (1), a pair of current collecting plates (2), and a plurality of liquid flow batteries.

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