Extensible device of flow battery
By employing adapters, flexible connecting pipes, and multi-channel flow distributors in the flow battery system, the problems of system size and installation complexity caused by traditional rigid pipe connection methods are solved, achieving the effect of easy installation, maintenance, and expansion.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423094982.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-21
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-13
AI Technical Summary
The rigid PVC pipe connection method of traditional vanadium redox flow battery systems results in a large and poorly compact system that is difficult to adapt to complex or irregular installation environments. Furthermore, the complex installation and cumbersome maintenance limit the modularity and expansion flexibility of the system.
By employing transfer pipes, flexible connecting pipes, and multi-channel flow distributors, the connection between the fuel cell stack and the electrolyte capacity side is achieved through flexible connections and quick snap-fit, thereby improving the modularity and scalability of the system.
This makes the flow battery system easier to install and maintain, reduces space requirements, and improves system flexibility and scalability to meet the needs of different application scenarios.
Smart Images
Figure CN223582995U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The utility model relates to the field of liquid flow battery, especially a scalable device of liquid flow battery. BACKGROUND
[0002] As a large-scale energy storage technology with great potential, vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) has attracted much attention in the field of renewable energy in recent years due to its long service life, high safety and scalability. However, the traditional VRFB system design has obvious limitations, especially in the connection mode of power side and capacity side. The traditional VRFB system often uses hard PVC pipes to connect the power side and capacity side components. Although this hard pipe system can meet the basic fluid conveying requirements, it has many disadvantages due to its rigid structure and complex installation requirements.
[0003] Firstly, the PVC pipe system requires a large number of flanges, elbows, joints and other accessories to adapt to different component connections and spatial layouts, which not only increases material costs but also occupies a large amount of space, resulting in a large overall system structure and poor compactness. In high-space-demand application scenarios (such as urban buildings or mobile energy storage devices), this design is particularly disadvantageous.
[0004] Secondly, the hard pipe lacks flexibility and is difficult to adapt to complex or irregular installation environments. This means that the installation must be strictly carried out according to the predetermined pipe layout, and any spatial or angular changes may require additional accessory adjustments, further increasing the complexity and difficulty of system installation.
[0005] In addition, the PVC pipe system requires a large number of accessory connections, has high assembly process requirements and a long installation period. In large-scale energy storage projects, this complex assembly process not only increases construction time but also increases maintenance difficulty. When the system is running, maintenance or replacement of a certain part often requires the disassembly of multiple connecting parts, making the maintenance process tedious and time-consuming. More importantly, this traditional design severely limits the modularity of the VRFB system. Since the power side and the capacity side are connected by fixed hard pipes, expanding or reducing the system capacity usually requires redesigning and modifying the entire pipe system, which greatly limits the flexibility of the system in different application scenarios. SUMMARY
[0006] To solve the above problems of the prior art, the utility model provides a scalable device of liquid flow battery, which can significantly improve the modularity and expansion capability of the liquid flow battery system, occupies less space, and is easy to install and maintain.
[0007] Specifically, the utility model provides a scalable device of liquid flow battery, comprising,
[0008] The adapter pipe comprises a main pipe and at least one branch pipe, the at least one branch pipe is used for connecting with the inlet or outlet of the stack of the flow battery;
[0009] The flexible connecting pipe is connected with one of the distributor connectors at the other end.
[0010] The multi-pass flow distributor comprises a distributor body with a hollow structure and a plurality of distributor connectors, the distributor body is used for connecting with external pipes, the plurality of distributor connectors are arranged on the distributor body and communicate with the interior of the distributor body, and the other end of the flexible connecting pipe is connected with one of the distributor connectors.
[0011] According to one embodiment of the present application, the number of the at least one branch pipe is two.
[0012] According to one embodiment of the present application, the end of the at least one branch pipe is provided with a pipe male connector, and the at least one branch pipe is connected with the inlet or outlet of the stack through the pipe male connector.
[0013] According to one embodiment of the present application, the expandable device further comprises a first quick buckle, and the first quick buckle is used for fastening the pipe male connector and the inlet or outlet of the stack.
[0014] According to one embodiment of the present application, the material of the first quick buckle is polyethylene or nylon.
[0015] According to one embodiment of the present application, the end of the main pipe is provided with a pipe female connector, the connecting pipe male connectors are formed at the two ends of the flexible connecting pipe, and the two connecting pipe male connectors are matched with the pipe female connector and the distributor connector respectively.
[0016] According to one embodiment of the present application, the expandable device further comprises a first sealing ring, the first sealing ring is sleeved outside the connecting pipe male connector, and the connecting pipe male connector is sealingly matched with the pipe female connector and the distributor connector through the first sealing ring.
[0017] According to one embodiment of the present application, the expandable device further comprises a second quick buckle, and the second quick buckle is used for fastening the connecting pipe male connector and the pipe female connector or the distributor connector.
[0018] According to one embodiment of the present application, the flexible connecting pipe is a flexible bellows.
[0019] According to one embodiment of the utility model, the multi-pass flow distributor further comprises a distributor flange, the distributor flange is arranged on the distributor body and communicates with the inside of the distributor body, and the distributor body is connected with the external pipeline through the distributor flange.
[0020] The utility model provides an expandable device of liquid flow battery, through adapter pipe, flexible connecting pipe and multi-pass flow distributor, the electric pile of liquid flow battery is connected to electrolyte capacity side.
[0021] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description of the utility model are exemplary and illustrative, and are intended to provide further explanation of the utility model as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] The accompanying drawings are included to provide further explanation of the utility model, they are incorporated and constitute a part of this application, the drawings show the embodiment of the utility model, and together with the specification, they play the role of explaining the principle of the utility model.
[0023] Figure 1 Fig. 1 is the use state diagram of the expandable device of one embodiment of the utility model.
[0024] Figure 2 Fig. 2 is the structure schematic view of the adapter pipe in Fig. Figure 1
[0025] Figure 3 Fig. 3 is the schematic diagram of the adapter pipe and electric pile side connection of one embodiment of the utility model.
[0026] Figure 4 Fig. 4 is the structure schematic view of the multi-pass flow distributor in Fig. Figure 1
[0027] Wherein, the above drawings include the following reference signs:
[0028] Expandable device 100
[0029] Adapter pipe 110
[0030] Main pipeline 111
[0031] Pipeline female head 1111
[0032] Branch pipeline 112
[0033] Pipeline male head 1121
[0034] Flexible connecting pipe 120
[0035] male connector 121
[0036] Multi-channel flow distributor 130
[0037] Distributor body 131
[0038] Distributor connector 132
[0039] Distributor flange 133
[0040] First quick-release buckle 140
[0041] Second quick-release buckle 150
[0042] Imported or exported female connectors 200 Detailed Implementation
[0043] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other.
[0044] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit this application or its application or use. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0045] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.
[0046] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the application. Other variations and modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, the scope of the application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an overly literal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0047] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation words such as "front, back, upper, lower, left, right", "transverse, vertical, perpendicular, horizontal" and "top, bottom" and the like indicated orientation or position relationship are generally based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, without the opposite statement, these orientation words do not indicate and imply that the indicated device or element must have a particular orientation or be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, therefore, cannot be understood as a limitation on the scope of protection of the present application; the orientation words "inner, outer" refer to the inner and outer relative to the contour of each component.
[0048] In addition, it should be noted that the use of the words "first", "second" and the like words to define parts, only for the convenience of distinguishing the corresponding parts, if there is no further declaration, the above words have no special meaning, therefore, cannot be understood as a limitation on the scope of protection of the present application. In addition, although the terms used in the present application are selected from the commonly known and used terms, some terms mentioned in the specification of the present application may be selected by the applicant according to his or her judgment, and the detailed meaning of each term is explained in the relevant part of the description. In addition, the present application is required to be understood not only by the actual terms used, but also by the meaning contained in each term.
[0049] Figure 1The use state diagram of the expandable device of one embodiment of the utility model is shown. As shown in the figure, the expandable device 100 of a flow battery mainly comprises an adapter pipe 110, a flexible connecting pipe 120 and a multi-channel flow distributor 130. The two ends of the flexible connecting pipe 120 are connected with the adapter pipe 110 and the multi-channel flow distributor 130 respectively. The adapter pipe 110 is used for connecting the stack of the flow battery, and the multi-channel flow distributor 130 is used for connecting the capacity side of the electrolyte. One stack of the flow battery can be connected to the capacity side of the electrolyte through four expandable devices 100. Specifically, the four expandable devices 100 are connected to the positive electrode liquid inlet pipe, the positive electrode liquid return pipe, the negative electrode liquid inlet pipe and the negative electrode liquid return pipe of the stack respectively, so as to ensure that the electrolyte can flow smoothly in the stack and realize the storage and release of energy. According to the modular design concept, a plurality of stacks can also be connected to the capacity side of the electrolyte through one multi-channel flow distributor 130. In this case, it is only necessary to increase the number of the adapter pipes 110 and the flexible connecting pipes 120 of the expandable device 100. The plurality of stacks are connected to the same multi-channel flow distributor 130 through different adapter pipes 110 and flexible connecting pipes 120, and then connected to the capacity side of the electrolyte through the multi-channel flow distributor 130, so as to realize the positive electrode liquid inlet, the positive electrode liquid return, the negative electrode liquid inlet or the negative electrode liquid return of the plurality of stacks. Such a design not only improves the flexibility and expandability of the flow battery system, but also can conveniently adjust the number and scale of the stacks according to actual needs, so as to meet the needs of different application scenarios.
[0050] Figure 2 is Figure 1 the structure diagram of the adapter pipe in the utility model. Figure 3 The utility model discloses an adapter pipe and the schematic diagram of stack side connection of one embodiment of the utility model are shown. As shown in the figure, the adapter pipe 110 comprises a main pipe 111 and at least one branch pipe 112 that are communicated with each other, and the at least one branch pipe 112 is used for connecting the inlet or outlet of the stack of the flow battery. One end of the flexible connecting pipe 120 is connected to the main pipe 111.
[0051] In some examples, the number of the at least one branch pipe 112 is two. Conventionally, the stack side of the flow battery has two pairs of inlets and outlets, which are responsible for the positive electrode liquid inlet, the positive electrode liquid return, the negative electrode liquid inlet or the negative electrode liquid return respectively. The two branch pipes 112 are used for connecting the inlet or outlet of the stack simultaneously. The two branch pipes 112 and the main pipe 111 form a special-shaped three-way Y-shaped pipe. Preferably, a set angle is formed between the plane where the two branch pipes 112 are located and the main pipe 111. When the positions of the stack and the capacity side of the electrolyte are determined, the angle between the branch pipe 112 and the main pipe 111 is set in advance, so that the actual installation space of the equipment can be better adapted, and the transmission efficiency of the electrolyte can be improved.
[0052] In some examples, the end of the branch pipe 112 has a pipe male head 1121. The branch pipe 112 is connected to the inlet female head or outlet female head 200 of the stack through the pipe male head 1121. Preferably, the expandable device 100 further comprises a first quick buckle 140. The first quick buckle 140 is used to fasten the pipe male head 1121 and the inlet female head or outlet female head 200 of the stack. The first quick buckle 140 provides reliable fastening force, ensuring that the pipe male head 1121 and the inlet or outlet of the stack are tightly connected. The use of the first quick buckle 140 can quickly complete the connection, saving a lot of installation time, and facilitating maintenance and replacement. Figure 1 As shown, the branch pipe 112 is connected to the inlet female head or outlet female head 200 of the stack through the pipe male head 1121. Preferably, the expandable device 100 further comprises a first quick buckle 140. The first quick buckle 140 is used to fasten the pipe male head 1121 and the inlet female head or outlet female head 200 of the stack. The first quick buckle 140 provides reliable fastening force, ensuring that the pipe male head 1121 and the inlet or outlet of the stack are tightly connected. The use of the first quick buckle 140 can quickly complete the connection, saving a lot of installation time, and facilitating maintenance and replacement.
[0053] In some examples, the expandable device 100 further comprises a second sealing ring. The second sealing ring is sleeved outside the pipe male head 1121. The pipe male head 1121 is sealingly matched with the inlet female head or outlet female head 200 through the first sealing ring. The function of the second sealing ring is to prevent the electrolyte from leaking from the connection.
[0054] In some examples, the end of the main pipe 111 has a pipe female head 1111. The flexible connection pipe 120 forms a connection pipe male head 121 at both ends. One connection pipe male head 121 of the flexible connection pipe 120 is matched with the pipe female head 1111. Preferably, the expandable device 100 further comprises a second quick buckle 150. The second quick buckle 150 is used to fasten the connection pipe male head 121 and the pipe female head 1111. Similarly, the second quick buckle 150 provides reliable fastening force, ensuring that the connection pipe male head 121 and the pipe female head 1111 are tightly connected. The use of the second quick buckle 150 can quickly complete the connection, saving installation time, and facilitating maintenance and replacement.
[0055] Figure 4 is Figure 1 A structural diagram of a multi-channel flow distributor in the electrolyte circulation system 100 is shown in FIG. 13. As shown, the multi-channel flow distributor 130 comprises a distributor body 131 having a hollow structure and a plurality of distributor joints 132. The distributor body 131 is used to connect with external pipes, and the plurality of distributor joints 132 are arranged on the distributor body 131 and communicate with the inside of the distributor body 131. The other end of the flexible connection pipe 120 is connected with one of the distributor joints 132.
[0056] In some examples, the multi-channel flow distributor 130 further comprises a distributor flange 133. The distributor flange 133 is arranged on the distributor body 131 and communicates with the inside of the distributor body 131. The distributor body 131 is connected with external pipes through the distributor flange 133. Here, the external pipes mainly refer to the volume side of the electrolyte.
[0057] In some examples, the connection pipe male head 121 of the flexible connection pipe 120 cooperates with the distributor joint 132, both of which can be fastened by the second quick buckle 150.
[0058] In some examples, the expandable device 100 further comprises a first sealing ring. The first sealing ring is sleeved outside the connection pipe male head 121. The connection pipe male head 121 is sealedly cooperated with the pipe female head 1111 and the distributor joint 132 through the first sealing ring. The main function of the first sealing ring is to prevent the leakage of electrolyte from the connection. In addition, when the expandable device 100 is affected by external vibration or internal fluid pressure change, the first sealing ring can help maintain the tightness of the connection and ensure the normal operation of the expandable device 100.
[0059] In some examples, the flexible connection pipe 120 is a flexible bellows. The flexible bellows can be easily bent and twisted, and can well adapt to complex installation environment and irregular space layout. In the flow battery system, the positions of the stack and the electrolyte capacity side may vary due to various factors, and the flexible bellows can change shape flexibly according to the actual situation to ensure smooth connection. The flexible bellows can also absorb the vibration energy introduced by external equipment, reducing the risk of pipe connection loosening or damage caused by vibration.
[0060] In some examples, the materials of the first quick buckle 140, the second quick buckle 150, the adapter pipe 110 and the flexible connection pipe 120 are polyethylene or nylon. The material has good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, is easy to process and can effectively resist the corrosion of electrolyte, ensuring the structural integrity and service life.
[0061] The specific use method of the expandable device 100 provided by the utility model is described below with reference to all the drawings.
[0062] The pipe male head 1121 of the two branch pipes 112 of the adapter pipe 110 is sleeved with a second sealing ring and connected with the stack inlet female head or the stack outlet female head 200, and the first quick buckle 140 is used to clamp the joint of the pipe male head 1121 and the stack inlet female head or the stack outlet female head 200. The connecting pipe male head 121 of one end of the flexible connecting pipe 120 is sleeved with a second sealing ring and connected with the pipe female head 1111 of the adapter pipe 110, and the second quick buckle 150 is used to clamp the joint of the connecting pipe male head 121 and the pipe female head 1111. The connecting pipe male head 121 of the other end of the flexible connecting pipe 120 is sleeved with a first sealing ring and connected with the flow distributor joint 132 of the multi-way flow distributor 130, and the second quick buckle 150 is used to clamp the joint of the connecting pipe male head 121 and the flow distributor joint 132. The multi-way flow distributor 130 is connected with the external pipe through the distributor flange 133. The number of the flow distributor joints 132 of the flexible connecting pipe 120 required to be connected is determined according to the actual number of stacks, and the flow distributor joints 132 not connected are sealed with standard plugs. Four sets of the expandable device 100 are used for one stack. One set is connected in the positive electrode liquid inlet pipe, one set is connected in the positive electrode liquid return pipe, one set is connected in the negative electrode liquid inlet pipe, and one set is connected in the negative electrode liquid return pipe. The working process of each set of the expandable device is as follows:
[0063] The positive electrode liquid inlet process: the expandable device 100 is connected in the positive electrode liquid inlet pipe, electrolyte is pumped from the capacity side to the flow distributor flange 133, enters the inside of the distributor body 131 of the multi-way flow distributor 130, and then uniformly flows into the flexible connecting pipe 120 through the flow distributor joints 132 not plugged, and then flows into the adapter pipe 110, and finally enters the inside of the stack on the power side. During the positive electrode liquid inlet process, the expandable device 100 continuously works.
[0064] The positive electrode liquid return process: the expandable device 100 is connected in the positive electrode liquid return pipe, the electrolyte in the inside of the stack flows back into the adapter pipe 110, enters the inside of the distributor body 131 of the multi-way flow distributor 130 through the flexible connecting pipe 120, and then flows to the capacity side from the flow distributor flange 133. During the positive electrode liquid return process, the expandable device 100 continuously works.
[0065] The negative electrode liquid inlet process: the expandable device 100 is connected in the negative electrode liquid inlet pipe, electrolyte is pumped from the capacity side to the flow distributor flange 133, enters the inside of the distributor body 131 of the multi-way flow distributor 130, and then uniformly flows into the flexible connecting pipe 120 through the flow distributor joints 132 not plugged, and then flows into the adapter pipe 110, and finally enters the inside of the stack on the power side. During the negative electrode liquid inlet process, the expandable device 100 continuously works.
[0066] The negative electrolyte return process: the scalable device 100 is connected to the negative electrolyte return pipe, the electrolyte in the battery flows into the adapter pipe 110, then flows into the inside of the distributor body 131 of the multi-pass flow distributor 130 through the flexible connection pipe 120, and then flows to the volume side from the flow distributor flange 133. During the negative electrolyte return process, the scalable device 100 continuously works.
[0067] The disassembly and replacement process of the scalable device 100 is as follows:
[0068] Before disassembly, the valves at both ends of the scalable device 100 are closed, and after the residual liquid in the scalable device 100 is completely discharged, the openings of the first quick buckle 140 and the second quick buckle 150 are pried open, and the relative fixing state between the battery inlet female head or the outlet male-female head and the adapter pipe 110, the adapter pipe 110 and the flexible connection pipe 120, and the flexible connection pipe 120 and the multi-pass flow distributor 130 is released. The distributor flange 133 is bolted to the external volume side pipe. At this time, the scalable device 100 is completely disconnected from the external pipe, and the spare parts can be replaced.
[0069] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the above exemplary embodiments of the utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model. Therefore, it is intended to cover modifications and variations of the utility model falling within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalent technical solutions.
Claims
1. A scalable device for a flow battery, characterized in that, include, The transfer pipe includes a main pipeline and at least one branch pipeline that are interconnected, the at least one branch pipeline being used to connect to the inlet or outlet of the flow battery stack; A flexible connecting pipe, one end of which is connected to the main pipeline; A multi-channel flow distributor includes a distributor body with a hollow structure and multiple distributor connectors. The distributor body is used to connect to an external pipeline. The multiple distributor connectors are disposed on the distributor body and communicate with the interior of the distributor body. The other end of a flexible connecting pipe is connected to one of the distributor connectors.
2. The scalable device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the at least one branch pipeline is two.
3. The scalable device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The end of the at least one branch pipe has a male connector, and the at least one branch pipe is connected to the inlet or outlet of the fuel cell stack through the male connector.
4. The scalable device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, The expandable device also includes a first quick-release clip for securing the male connector and the inlet or outlet of the fuel cell stack.
5. The scalable device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The material of the first quick-release buckle is polyethylene or nylon.
6. The scalable device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The main pipeline has a female connector at one end, and male connectors are formed at both ends of the flexible connecting pipe. The two male connectors mate with the female connector and the distributor connector, respectively.
7. The scalable device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, The expandable device also includes a first sealing ring, which is sleeved on the male connector of the connecting pipe, and the male connector of the connecting pipe is sealed to the female connector of the pipe and the distributor joint through the first sealing ring.
8. The scalable device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, The expandable device also includes a second quick-release clip for securing the male connector and the female connector or distributor fitting.
9. The scalable device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible connecting pipe is a flexible corrugated pipe.
10. The scalable device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The multi-channel flow distributor also includes a distributor flange, which is disposed on the distributor body and communicates with the interior of the distributor body. The distributor body is connected to the external pipeline through the distributor flange.