Flow battery end plate and flow battery stack

Abstract

The utility model relates to a redox flow battery end plate and a redox flow battery pile, the redox flow battery end plate is internally provided with SOC detection devices, four corners of the redox flow battery end plate are respectively provided with four channels, and the SOC detection devices are connected to the four channels. And the four channels are respectively a galvanic pile positive electrode liquid inlet channel, a galvanic pile positive electrode liquid outlet channel, a galvanic pile negative electrode liquid inlet channel and a galvanic pile negative electrode liquid outlet channel. According to the built-in SOC detection device of the flow battery end plate disclosed by the utility model, real-time and accurate state monitoring can be carried out on each electric pile, and extra space does not need to be occupied; the end plate of the flow battery is also provided with a channel through which the electrolyte of the stack is introduced and discharged, so that the flow path of the electrolyte can be prolonged at the end plate part, and the bypass current is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of flow battery technology, specifically to a flow battery end plate and a flow battery stack. Background Technology

[0002] In flow battery systems, accurate monitoring of the operating status of each stack is crucial for its operation. Existing flow battery systems typically only install the SOC (State of Charge) battery in the main system and monitor the electrolyte state at the inlet and outlet of the electrolyte tank to infer the stack's operating status, without performing SOC monitoring on each individual stack. Furthermore, the SOC battery usually exists independently of the energy storage stack, requiring separate flow lines and signal acquisition circuitry. This undoubtedly increases the system's size and footprint, hindering system integration. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a novel flow battery end plate that has a built-in SOC detection device, which can monitor the status of each battery stack in real time and accurately without taking up additional space.

[0004] Another objective of this invention is to provide a flow battery stack that includes the aforementioned flow battery end plate.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0006] A flow battery end plate, wherein the flow battery end plate has a built-in SOC detection device, and four channels are provided at the four corners of the end plate, and the SOC detection device is connected to the four channels. The four channels are respectively a positive electrode liquid inlet channel, a positive electrode liquid outlet channel, a negative electrode liquid inlet channel, and a negative electrode liquid outlet channel. Preferably, the four channels are bent.

[0007] More preferably, the four channels are each composed of multiple U-shaped pipes connected end to end.

[0008] In some embodiments, the U-shaped conduit has two parts, one of which is located between the two sides of the other.

[0009] Preferably, the positive electrode liquid inlet channel and the negative electrode liquid inlet channel of the fuel cell stack are symmetrically arranged with the positive electrode liquid outlet channel and the negative electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack along a first direction, and the positive electrode liquid inlet channel and the positive electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack are symmetrically arranged with the negative electrode liquid inlet channel and the negative electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack along a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0010] Preferably, the liquid outlets of the positive electrode liquid inlet channel and the negative electrode liquid inlet channel of the battery stack, as well as the liquid inlet ports of the positive electrode liquid outlet channel and the negative electrode liquid outlet channel of the battery stack, are located on the side of the flow battery end plate closer to the battery stack.

[0011] The inlets of the positive electrode liquid inlet channel and the negative electrode liquid inlet channel of the fuel cell stack, as well as the outlets of the positive electrode liquid outlet channel and the negative electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack, are located on the side of the end plate of the flow battery. The inlet of the positive electrode liquid inlet channel and the outlet of the positive electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack are on the same side, and the inlet of the negative electrode liquid inlet channel and the outlet of the negative electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack are on the same side but on the opposite side from the inlet of the positive electrode liquid inlet channel and the outlet of the positive electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack.

[0012] Preferably, the flow battery end plate is composed of a first plate and a second plate that interlock, with a portion of the four channels located on the first plate and another portion located on the second plate.

[0013] More preferably, one of the first plate and the second plate is provided with a positioning post, and the other is provided with a positioning groove that matches the positioning post.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first plate and the second plate are two plates that are symmetrically arranged.

[0015] Preferably, the flow battery end plate has an electrode groove on the side near the fuel cell stack.

[0016] This utility model also provides a flow battery stack, including the flow battery end plate as described above.

[0017] Due to the application of the above technical solution, this utility model has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0018] The flow battery end plate of this invention has a built-in SOC detection device, which can monitor the status of each battery stack in real time and accurately, without occupying additional space.

[0019] The flow battery of this invention also has an electrolyte channel on the end plate, which allows the electrolyte to extend its flow path in the end plate, thereby reducing the bypass current and not occupying additional space, which is beneficial for the integration of the battery stack. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the flow battery end plate provided in Example 1 (the first plate and the second plate are not fastened together);

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the inner surfaces of the first and second plates provided in Embodiment 1;

[0022] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the outer side of the first and second plates provided in Embodiment 1;

[0023] Among them: 1. First plate; 11. Positioning groove; 2. Second plate; 21. Liquid outlet of positive electrode inlet channel of fuel cell stack; 22. Liquid outlet of negative electrode inlet channel of fuel cell stack; 23. Liquid inlet of positive electrode outlet channel of fuel cell stack; 24. Liquid inlet of negative electrode outlet channel of fuel cell stack; 25. Electrode groove; 3. Channel; 4. SOC battery; 41. SOC battery pipeline; 42. SOC battery wire groove. Detailed Implementation

[0024] In the following description, only certain exemplary embodiments are briefly described. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the described embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the drawings and description are considered to be exemplary in nature and not restrictive.

[0025] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "inner" and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship as described above. Figure 1 The orientations shown are defined only for the purpose of facilitating the description of the embodiments of this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the embodiments of this utility model.

[0026] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of embodiments of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0027] In this embodiment of the invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0028] The following disclosure provides many different implementations or examples for different structures of the embodiments of the present invention. To simplify the disclosure of the embodiments of the present invention, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. Of course, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or reference letters may be repeated in different examples of the embodiments of the present invention; such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various implementations and / or arrangements discussed.

[0029] End plates play a crucial role in flow batteries (such as vanadium redox flow batteries). The final pressing process of the stack requires pressing the end plates before transferring the charge to components such as the flow guides, graphite felt, and membranes, providing structural support and a tight seal for the stack. Currently, commonly used end plates only need to have electrolyte inlet and outlet holes to ensure the pressing and encapsulation of the stack, but this presents several problems, such as bypass current within the stack. Furthermore, the consistency of individual stacks and the consistency of operating conditions cannot be controlled and monitored.

[0030] The inventors have creatively improved the endplate by embedding a State of Charge (SOC) detection device within it, enabling real-time and accurate status monitoring of each battery stack. Simultaneously, multiple channels 3 are opened on the endplate for electrolyte inflow and outflow, extending the electrolyte's flow path and reducing bypass current. The embedded SOC detection device and the channels 3 do not occupy additional space, facilitating the integration of flow battery stacks.

[0031] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Example 1

[0033] A flow battery end plate, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the flow battery end plate has a built-in SOC detection device. Four channels 3 are located at the four corners of the end plate, and the SOC detection device is connected to these four channels 3. These four channels 3 are respectively the positive electrode liquid inlet channel, the positive electrode liquid outlet channel, the negative electrode liquid inlet channel, and the negative electrode liquid outlet channel. By embedding the SOC detection device within the end plate, the operating status of each fuel cell stack can be monitored in real time without occupying additional space.

[0034] Specifically, the SOC detection device includes a SOC battery 4 and a SOC battery pipeline 41 for connecting the four channels 3. The structure of the SOC battery 4 is based on existing technology and is not specifically limited in this application. Preferably, the SOC battery pipeline 41 includes connections near the outlet of the positive electrode liquid inlet channel, the inlet of the positive electrode liquid outlet channel, the outlet of the negative electrode liquid inlet channel, and the inlet of the negative electrode liquid outlet channel, respectively, thereby enabling more accurate monitoring of the state of the battery electrolyte after the stack has been in operation.

[0035] The positive electrode liquid inlet channel and the negative electrode liquid inlet channel of the fuel cell stack are symmetrically arranged along a first direction with the positive electrode liquid outlet channel and the negative electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack, respectively. The positive electrode liquid inlet channel and the positive electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack are symmetrically arranged along a second direction with the negative electrode liquid inlet channel and the negative electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack, respectively. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. In this embodiment, the first direction is the length direction of the flow battery end plate. Furthermore, the outlets of the positive and negative electrode liquid inlet channels of the fuel cell stack, as well as the inlets of the positive and negative electrode liquid outlet channels, are located on the side of the flow battery end plate closest to the fuel cell stack. The inlets and outlets of the positive and negative electrode liquid inlet channels are located on the side of the flow battery end plate. The inlet of the positive electrode liquid inlet channel and the outlet of the positive electrode liquid outlet channel are on the same side, while the inlet of the negative electrode liquid inlet channel and the outlet of the negative electrode liquid outlet channel are on the same side but opposite to the inlet and outlet of the positive electrode liquid inlet channel and the outlet of the positive electrode liquid outlet channel. The following discussion uses the positive electrode liquid inlet channel (hereinafter referred to as channel 3) as an example.

[0036] Channel 3 is designed with bends, preferably consisting of multiple U-shaped pipes connected end to end. In this embodiment, there are two U-shaped pipes, one of which is located between the two pipes of the other. This reduces electrolyte flow resistance and facilitates end plate installation. The U-shaped pipe has a circular cross-section, which further reduces electrolyte flow resistance.

[0037] To accommodate the SOC detection device and the channel 3 within the flow battery end plate, the flow battery end plate is preferably composed of a first plate 1 and a second plate 2 that interlock and are arranged in half. A portion of the channel 3 is located on the first plate 1, and the other portion is located on the second plate 2. The arrangement of the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 facilitates the machining of the channel 3 and the slotting for installing the SOC detection device. One of the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 has a positioning post, and the other has a positioning groove 11 that matches the positioning post, facilitating the positioning and installation of both.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first plate 1 has a positioning groove 11, and positioning grooves 11 are provided on all four corners of its inner side. The second plate 2 has through holes at its four corners for introducing or discharging electrolyte. These four through holes are connected to the positive electrode inlet channel, negative electrode inlet channel, positive electrode outlet channel, and negative electrode outlet channel of the battery stack, respectively. Specifically, the outlet 21 of the positive electrode inlet channel, the outlet 22 of the negative electrode inlet channel, the inlet 23 of the positive electrode outlet channel, and the inlet 24 of the negative electrode outlet channel are located on the outer side of the four through holes (closer to the battery stack). An electrode groove 25 is also provided on the outer side of the second plate 2 for installing copper electrodes, etc. SOC battery wire grooves 42 are also provided on the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 for arranging SOC battery wires.

[0039] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of this utility model, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this utility model and implement it accordingly. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A flow battery end plate, characterized in that: The flow battery end plate has a built-in SOC detection device. The four corners of the flow battery end plate are provided with four channels (3). The SOC detection device is connected to the four channels (3). The four channels (3) are the positive electrode liquid inlet channel, the positive electrode liquid outlet channel, the negative electrode liquid inlet channel, and the negative electrode liquid outlet channel, respectively.

2. The flow battery end plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The four channels (3) are bent.

3. The flow battery end plate according to claim 2, characterized in that: The four channels (3) are each composed of multiple U-shaped pipes connected end to end.

4. The flow battery end plate according to claim 3, characterized in that: The U-shaped pipe has two sections, one of which is located between the two sides of the other.

5. The flow battery end plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positive electrode liquid inlet channel and the negative electrode liquid inlet channel of the fuel cell stack are symmetrically arranged with the positive electrode liquid outlet channel and the negative electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack along a first direction, and the positive electrode liquid inlet channel and the positive electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack are symmetrically arranged with the negative electrode liquid inlet channel and the negative electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack along a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

6. The flow battery end plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid outlets of the positive electrode liquid inlet channel and the negative electrode liquid inlet channel of the fuel cell stack, as well as the liquid inlet ports of the positive electrode liquid outlet channel and the negative electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack, are located on the side of the flow battery end plate closer to the fuel cell stack. The inlets of the positive electrode liquid inlet channel and the negative electrode liquid inlet channel of the fuel cell stack, as well as the outlets of the positive electrode liquid outlet channel and the negative electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack, are located on the side of the end plate of the flow battery. The inlet of the positive electrode liquid inlet channel and the outlet of the positive electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack are on the same side, and the inlet of the negative electrode liquid inlet channel and the outlet of the negative electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack are on the same side but on the opposite side from the inlet of the positive electrode liquid inlet channel and the outlet of the positive electrode liquid outlet channel of the fuel cell stack.

7. The flow battery end plate according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The flow battery end plate is composed of a first plate (1) and a second plate (2) that are interlocked. A portion of the four channels (3) are located on the first plate (1) and the other portion is located on the second plate (2).

8. The flow battery end plate according to claim 7, characterized in that: One of the first plate (1) and the second plate (2) is provided with a positioning post, and the other is provided with a positioning groove (11) that matches the positioning post; and / or, The first plate (1) and the second plate (2) are two plates that are set in half.

9. The flow battery end plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow battery end plate has an electrode slot (25) on the side near the stack.

10. A flow battery stack, characterized in that: Includes the flow battery end plate as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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