Hydrogen discharging system of zinc-iron flow battery

Abstract

The utility model provides a hydrogen discharging system of a zinc-iron flow battery, which comprises an electric pile, a hydrogen discharging device and a hydrogen discharging device, the first storage tank is respectively communicated with the first electrode end of the electric pile through a first pipeline and a first loop, a first electrolyte is stored in the first storage tank, the first pipeline is configured to convey the first electrolyte to the first electrode end, and the first loop is configured to flow back the first electrolyte reacted with the first electrode; the second storage tank is respectively communicated with a second electrode end of the electric pile through a second pipeline and a second loop, a second electrolyte is stored in the second storage tank, the second pipeline is configured to convey the first electrode liquid to the second electrode end, and the second loop is configured to flow back the second electrolyte reacted with the second electrode; the first fan is communicated with the top of the first storage tank and is configured to discharge hydrogen generated by the first storage tank; and the second fan is communicated with the top of the second storage tank and is configured to discharge the hydrogen generated by the second storage tank.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to the hydrogen discharge technical field of liquid flow battery especially relates to a hydrogen discharge system of zinc iron liquid flow battery. BACKGROUND

[0002] As a new energy storage method, liquid flow battery gradually attracts market's attention and importance because of its intrinsic safety characteristics of using water-based electrolyte. As a low-cost, high-efficiency and environmentally friendly liquid flow energy storage battery, alkaline zinc-iron liquid flow battery has many advantages such as high open-circuit voltage, high system efficiency, simple device and easy operation, low cost and so on.

[0003] In the working chamber of zinc-iron liquid flow battery, water electrolysis side reaction will occur during operation due to various reasons such as set working voltage or material properties inside the stack, which will produce hydrogen and oxygen. If not handled properly, it is easy to cause the risk of burning or even explosion, therefore, effective discharge of hydrogen is the basis to ensure the normal work of zinc-iron liquid flow battery. SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, the purpose of the utility model is to provide a hydrogen discharge system of zinc-iron liquid flow battery to solve the problem that hydrogen produced by zinc-iron liquid flow battery affects the normal work and production of zinc-iron liquid flow battery.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the utility model provides a hydrogen discharge system of zinc-iron liquid flow battery, characterized by comprising:

[0006] The stack comprises a first electrode and a second electrode.

[0007] The first storage tank is in communication with the first electrode end of the stack through a first pipeline and a first return circuit, the first storage tank stores a first electrolyte, the first pipeline is configured to deliver the first electrolyte to the first electrode end, and the first return circuit is configured to return the first electrolyte after reaction with the first electrode.

[0008] The second storage tank is in communication with the second electrode end of the stack through a second pipeline and a second return circuit, the second storage tank stores a second electrolyte, the second pipeline is configured to deliver the first electrode liquid to the second electrode end, and the second return circuit is configured to return the second electrolyte after reaction with the second electrode.

[0009] The first fan is in communication with the top of the first storage tank and is configured to discharge hydrogen generated by the first storage tank.

[0010] The second fan is in communication with the top of the second storage tank and is configured to discharge hydrogen generated by the second storage tank.

[0011] Optionally, the top of the first tank and the second tank is provided with a breather valve, and the breather valve is configured to communicate the first tank and the second tank with the external space respectively.

[0012] Optionally, the first fan and the second fan are connected with a first frequency converter, and the first frequency converter is configured to adjust the power of the first fan and the second fan.

[0013] Optionally, the top of the first tank and the second tank is provided with a hydrogen sensor, and the hydrogen sensor is configured to sense the hydrogen concentration value in the first tank and the second tank respectively.

[0014] Optionally, the first pipeline and the second pipeline are provided with a centrifugal pump, and the centrifugal pump is configured to deliver the first electrolyte in the first tank to the first electrode end and the second electrolyte in the second tank to the second electrode end respectively.

[0015] Optionally, the centrifugal pump is connected with a second frequency converter, and the second frequency converter is configured to adjust the power of the centrifugal pump.

[0016] Optionally, the stack is provided with a voltage sensor, and the voltage sensor is configured to measure the voltage value of the stack.

[0017] Optionally, the first fan and the second fan are connected with the gas storage device through a gas storage pipe.

[0018] Optionally, the controller is connected with the first frequency converter and the hydrogen sensor, and the controller is configured to record the hydrogen concentration value of the hydrogen sensor and drive the first fan and the second fan to start and stop through the first frequency converter.

[0019] Optionally, the controller is connected with the voltage sensor and the second frequency converter, and the controller is configured to record the voltage value of the stack and drive the centrifugal pump to start and stop through the second frequency converter.

[0020] As can be seen from the above, the hydrogen discharge system of the zinc-iron flow battery provided by the utility model effectively discharges the hydrogen in the first tank and the second tank through the first fan and the second fan, adjusts the power of the first fan and the second fan through the first frequency converter to provide different hydrogen discharge strategies for the hydrogen concentration under different working conditions, and utilizes the breather valve to avoid the overpressure or negative pressure of the first tank and the second tank during the hydrogen discharge process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the prior art description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can also be obtained by those skilled in the art without any creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 The figure shows: the hydrogen discharge system of the zinc-iron flow battery of the present application.

[0023] The figure shows: the hydrogen discharge system of the zinc-iron flow battery of the present application. Specific implementation

[0024] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more clear, the following will further describe the present application in detail with specific embodiments and reference to the drawings.

[0025] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the embodiments of the present application should be understood as the usual meaning understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. The "first", "second" and similar words used in the present disclosure do not represent any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. "Include" or "contain" and similar words mean that the elements or objects before the word cover the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. "Connected" or "connected" and similar words are not limited to physical or mechanical connection, but can include electrical connection, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to represent relative positional relationship, when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0026] In the related art, the hydrogen discharge scheme is different, mainly using the constant power constant air volume hydrogen discharge strategy to discharge hydrogen, which can meet the hydrogen discharge, but cannot cope with different working conditions, and the constant power constant air volume hydrogen discharge strategy replaces the gas in the tank body filled with electrolyte, which finally leads to the heat loss of the overall system, the loss of electrolyte in the tank body and the increase of system power consumption.

[0027] Reference Figure 1As shown, the utility model provides a kind of hydrogen discharge system of zinc iron flow battery, comprising: electric pile 1, including first electrode 11 and second electrode 12. Wherein first electrode 11 can be positive, also can be negative, correspondingly, second electrode 12 can be negative opposite first electrode 11, also can be positive.

[0028] Wherein, first electrode 11 is positive, and second electrode 12 can be zinc electrode in the case of negative.

[0029] First storage tank 2, by first pipeline 21 and first loop 22 respectively with the first electrode 11 end of electric pile 1, first storage tank 2 stores and stores first electrolyte, first pipeline 21 is configured to deliver first electrolyte to first electrode 11 end, and first loop 22 is configured to return first electrolyte after reaction with first electrode 11;Second storage tank 3, by second pipeline 31 and second loop 32 respectively with the second electrode 12 end of electric pile 1, second storage tank 3 stores and stores second electrolyte, second pipeline 31 is configured to deliver first electrode 11 liquid to second electrode 12 end, and second loop 32 is configured to return second electrolyte after reaction with second electrode 12.

[0030] First fan 4, with the top of first storage tank 2 is communicated, is configured to discharge hydrogen generated by first storage tank 2.

[0031] Second fan 5, with the top of second storage tank 3 is communicated, is configured to discharge hydrogen generated by second storage tank 3.

[0032] In the embodiment, first electrolyte flows to the first electrode 11 of electric pile 1 through first pipeline 21, and first electrolyte reacts with first electrode 11, and first electrolyte after chemical reaction and generated hydrogen gas return to first storage tank 2 along first loop 22, and because of the physical properties of hydrogen, its density is very low, and it is difficult to dissolve in water, hydrogen in first electrolyte rises to the top of first storage tank 2, and hydrogen is released by first fan 4.

[0033] Similarly, second electrolyte flows to the second electrode 12 of electric pile 1 through second pipeline 31, and second electrolyte reacts with second electrode 12, and second electrolyte after chemical reaction and generated hydrogen gas return to second storage tank 3 along second loop 32, and because of the physical properties of hydrogen, its density is very low, and it is difficult to dissolve in water, hydrogen in second electrolyte rises to the top of second storage tank 3, and hydrogen is released by second fan 5.

[0034] In some embodiments, the top of first storage tank 2 and second storage tank 3 is equipped with breather valve 23, and breather valve 23 is configured to communicate first touch and second storage tank 3 with external space respectively.

[0035] The first tank 2 is connected with the outside through the breather valve 23, and the breather valve 23 is used to realize the air exchange between the first tank 2 and the outside. In addition to preventing the first fan 4 from discharging too much hydrogen to cause the first tank body to be in a vacuum state due to too small air pressure, and preventing the first fan 4 from discharging too little hydrogen to cause the first tank body to be in an overpressure state due to too large air pressure, the breather valve 23 also prevents the first tank 2 from being in an unstable state due to the difference between the amount of the first electrolyte provided to the stack 1 through the first pipeline 21 and the amount of the first electrolyte returned through the first loop 22.

[0036] Similarly, the second tank 3 is connected with the outside through the breather valve 23, and the breather valve 23 is used to realize the air exchange between the second tank 3 and the outside. In addition to preventing the second fan 5 from discharging too much hydrogen to cause the first tank 2 to be in a vacuum state due to too small air pressure, and preventing the second fan 5 from discharging too little hydrogen to cause the first tank 2 to be in an overpressure state due to too large air pressure, the breather valve 23 also prevents the second tank 3 from being in an unstable state due to the difference between the amount of the second electrolyte provided to the stack 1 through the second pipeline 31 and the amount of the first electrolyte returned through the second loop 32.

[0037] In addition, the breather valve 23 prevents the first tank 2 and the second tank 3 from being completely open, thereby reducing the evaporation loss of the first electrolyte and the second electrolyte inside.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 are both connected with the first frequency converter 41, and the first frequency converter 41 is configured to adjust the power of the first fan 4 and the second fan 5.

[0039] Through the power adjustment of the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 by the first frequency converter 41, the hydrogen discharge efficiency in the first tank 2 and the second tank 3 is adjusted. When the hydrogen concentration inside the first tank 2 and the second tank 3 is high, the power of the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 is increased by the first frequency converter 41, that is, the hydrogen discharge speed of the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 is increased. When the hydrogen concentration inside the first tank 2 and the second tank 3 is low, the power of the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 is reduced by the first frequency converter 41, that is, the hydrogen discharge amount is reduced. When the hydrogen concentration inside the first tank 2 is high and the hydrogen concentration inside the second tank 3 is low, the power of the first fan 4 is increased by the first frequency converter 41 to increase the hydrogen discharge amount, and the power of the second fan 5 is reduced to reduce the hydrogen discharge amount.

[0040] In some embodiments, the top of the first tank 2 and the top of the second tank 3 are both provided with a hydrogen sensor 24, and the hydrogen sensor 24 is configured to sense the hydrogen concentration value inside the first tank 2 and the second tank 3, respectively.

[0041] In the above embodiments, the adjustment of the power of the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 by the first frequency converter 41 achieves the adjustment of the hydrogen discharge amount in the first tank 2 and the second tank 3. However, in the case where the amount of hydrogen in the first tank 2 and the second tank 3 cannot be determined, the power of the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 cannot be accurately adjusted by the first frequency converter 41. The hydrogen concentration in the first tank 2 and the second tank 3 is determined by the hydrogen sensor 24, and the adjustment of the power of the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 by the first frequency converter 41 is determined according to the hydrogen concentration value, so that the hydrogen discharge efficiency is higher and safer.

[0042] In some optional embodiments, when the hydrogen concentration value is <1%, the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 do not need to be started, when the hydrogen concentration value is 1%-2%, the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 are started to discharge hydrogen. When the hydrogen concentration value is >2%, the power of the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 is increased by the first frequency converter 41 to speed up the hydrogen discharge amount, and at the same time the first pipeline 21 and the second pipeline 31 can be closed until the hydrogen concentration value is <0.5%.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first pipeline 21 and the second pipeline 31 are each provided with a centrifugal pump 13 configured to respectively transport the first electrolyte in the first tank 2 to the first electrode 11 end and the second electrolyte in the second tank 3 to the second electrode 12 end.

[0044] The centrifugal pump 13 is used to improve the transportation efficiency of the first electrolyte and the second electrolyte, speed up the chemical reaction between the first electrolyte and the first electrode 11 and the chemical reaction between the second electrolyte and the second electrode 12, and improve the charging and discharging speed of the zinc-iron flow battery.

[0045] In some embodiments, the centrifugal pump 13 is connected with a second frequency converter 14 configured to adjust the power of the centrifugal pump 13.

[0046] The power of the centrifugal pump 13 is adjusted by the second frequency converter 14 to achieve the adjustment of the transportation amount of the first electrolyte in the first tank 2 and the second electrolyte in the second tank 3 to the stack 1, i.e. the adjustment of the operation efficiency of the flow battery. If the operation efficiency of the flow battery needs to be increased, the power of the centrifugal pump 13 is increased by the second frequency converter 14 to increase the transportation amount of the first electrolyte and the second electrolyte to the stack 1, and the amount of hydrogen generated is correspondingly large. If the operation efficiency of the flow battery needs to be reduced, the power of the centrifugal pump 13 is reduced by the second frequency converter 14 to reduce the transportation amount of the first electrolyte and the second electrolyte to the stack 1, and the amount of hydrogen generated is correspondingly small. Or the flow battery does not need to be operated, and the centrifugal pump 13 is stopped by the second frequency converter 14 to prevent the transportation of the first electrolyte and the second electrolyte to the stack 1.

[0047] In some embodiments, the power stack 1 is provided with a voltage sensor 15 configured to measure the voltage value of the power stack 1.

[0048] In the above-mentioned embodiments, only the hydrogen sensor 24 determines the amount of hydrogen generated in the hydrogen evolution condition, and a single means of judging the hydrogen concentration value is easily limited. For example, if the hydrogen sensor 24 is damaged, the hydrogen concentration value cannot be effectively determined, and accordingly the power of the first fan 4 or the second fan 5 cannot be effectively determined to effectively discharge hydrogen. By providing the voltage sensor 15, if the voltage is high, it indicates that the current is in the hydrogen evolution condition, and a large amount of hydrogen is generated, so the power of the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 is increased. If the voltage is too low, it indicates that the current is not in the hydrogen evolution condition, and no hydrogen is generated or a small amount of hydrogen is generated, so the power of the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 is reduced or the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 are stopped. At the same time, the voltage sensor 15 and the hydrogen sensor 24 verify each other, effectively avoiding the situation that the hydrogen concentration value cannot be accurately determined, and improving the safety of the zinc-iron flow battery system.

[0049] In some embodiments, the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 are connected to the gas storage device through the gas storage pipe 42.

[0050] According to the chemical properties of hydrogen, under the conditions of ignition or heating, a variety of substances can undergo chemical reactions, and hydrogen is an extremely flammable gas. When the hydrogen concentration is between 4.1% and 74.8%, it can cause an explosion when exposed to an open flame. Discharging hydrogen in the first storage tank 2 and the second storage tank 3 into the air, although hydrogen itself is not polluting, but it can also cause the above-mentioned hazards. The first fan 4 and the second fan 5 are connected to the gas storage device through the gas storage pipe 42, which can avoid the hazards that may be caused by hydrogen leakage, and can also utilize the collected hydrogen for secondary use.

[0051] In some embodiments, a controller (not shown in the figure) is further included, which is connected to the first frequency converter 41 and the hydrogen sensor 24, respectively. The controller is configured to record the hydrogen concentration value of the hydrogen sensor 24, and to start and stop the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 through the first frequency converter 41.

[0052] The controller controls the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 to be started to discharge hydrogen when the hydrogen concentration value is 1% to 2%, and the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 are operated for 3 to 5 minutes until the hydrogen concentration value is less than 0.5%. When the hydrogen concentration value is greater than 2%, the controller controls the first frequency converter 41 to increase the power of the first fan 4 and the second fan 5 to accelerate the hydrogen discharge amount, and the first pipeline 21 and the second pipeline 31 can be closed until the hydrogen concentration value is less than 0.5%. The artificial cost is reduced, and the intelligent discharge of hydrogen in the first storage tank 2 and the second storage tank 3 is improved.

[0053] In the embodiment, the controller can be a combination logic controller or a CPU controller, and the utility model does not make specific limitation to this.

[0054] In some embodiments, the controller is connected with the voltage sensor 15 and the second frequency converter 14, is configured to record the voltage value of the stack 1, and drives the centrifugal pump 13 to start and stop through the second frequency converter 14.

[0055] In the hydrogen evolution working condition, the controller can also set the threshold value of the voltage value of the stack 1 in advance, when the voltage is too large, the controller can stop the centrifugal pump 13 from working through the second frequency converter 14 to prevent the first electrolyte and the second electrolyte from being delivered to the stack 1, or the controller can control the second frequency converter 14 to reduce the power of the centrifugal pump 13 to reduce the delivery amount of the first electrolyte and the second electrolyte to the stack 1. When the voltage value is too small, the controller can increase the power of the centrifugal pump 13 through the second frequency converter 14 to increase the delivery amount of the first electrolyte and the second electrolyte to the stack 1.

[0056] Those skilled in the art should understand that the discussion of the above any embodiment is only exemplary, and is not intended to imply that the scope (including claims) of the present disclosure is limited to these examples; under the idea of the utility model, the above embodiments or technical features in different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other changes of different aspects of the utility model as described above. In order to be brief, they are not provided in details.

[0057] The embodiments of the utility model are intended to cover all such alternatives, modifications and variations falling within the broad scope of the appended claims. Therefore, any omission, modification, equivalent replacement, improvement and the like made in the spirit and principle of the utility model should be included in the protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A hydrogen venting system for a zinc-iron flow battery, characterized in that, The application relates to a hydrogen storage device, comprising: a stack comprising a first electrode and a second electrode; a first storage tank in communication with a first electrode end of the stack through a first pipeline and a first loop, the first storage tank storing a first electrolyte, the first pipeline being configured to deliver the first electrolyte to the first electrode end, and the first loop being configured to return the first electrolyte after reaction with the first electrode; a second storage tank in communication with a second electrode end of the stack through a second pipeline and a second loop, the second storage tank storing a second electrolyte, the second pipeline being configured to deliver the first electrolyte to the second electrode end, and the second loop being configured to return the second electrolyte after reaction with the second electrode; a first fan in communication with the top of the first storage tank and configured to discharge hydrogen generated by the first storage tank; a second fan in communication with the top of the second storage tank and configured to discharge hydrogen generated by the second storage tank.

2. The hydrogen gas removal system of a zinc-iron liquid flow battery according to claim 1, wherein, The top of the first storage tank and the top of the second storage tank are each provided with a breather valve configured to communicate the first storage tank and the second storage tank with an external space, respectively.

3. The hydrogen gas removal system of a zinc-iron liquid flow battery of claim 1, wherein, The first fan and the second fan are each connected with a first frequency converter configured to adjust the power of the first fan and the second fan.

4. The hydrogen gas removal system of the zinc-iron liquid flow battery according to claim 3, characterized in that, The top of the first storage tank and the top of the second storage tank are each provided with a hydrogen sensor configured to sense the hydrogen concentration value inside the first storage tank and the second storage tank, respectively.

5. The hydrogen gas removal system of the zinc-iron liquid flow battery according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first pipeline and the second pipeline are each provided with a centrifugal pump configured to deliver the first electrolyte in the first storage tank to the first electrode end and deliver the second electrolyte in the second storage tank to the second electrode end, respectively.

6. The hydrogen gas removal system of the zinc-iron liquid flow battery according to claim 5, characterized in that, The centrifugal pumps are each connected with a second frequency converter configured to adjust the power of the centrifugal pumps.

7. The hydrogen gas removal system of a zinc-iron liquid flow battery according to claim 6, characterized in that, The stack is provided with a voltage sensor configured to measure the voltage value of the stack.

8. The hydrogen gas removal system of a zinc-iron liquid flow battery of claim 1, wherein, The first fan and the second fan are connected with a gas storage device through a gas storage pipeline.

9. The hydrogen gas removal system of the zinc-iron liquid flow battery according to claim 7, characterized in that, The application further comprises a controller connected with the first frequency converter and the hydrogen sensor, respectively, the controller being configured to record the hydrogen concentration value of the hydrogen sensor and drive the first fan and the second fan to start and stop through the first frequency converter.

10. The hydrogen gas removal system of a zinc-iron flow battery of claim 9, wherein, The controller is connected with the voltage sensor and the second frequency converter and is configured to record the voltage value of the stack and drive the centrifugal pumps to start and stop through the second frequency converter.

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