Flow battery based on bionic vein-shaped flow channel

Abstract

The utility model is applicable to the technical field of battery simulation, and provides a flow battery based on a bionic vein-shaped runner, which comprises two electrode modules and an ion exchange membrane, and the two electrode modules are connected with each other through the ion exchange membrane; the electrode module comprises a runner plate and a porous electrode, and the runner plate is provided with a liquid inlet runner, a liquid outlet runner and a plurality of branch runners; the liquid inlet runner is positioned in the center of the runner plate, and the liquid outlet runners are positioned at four corners of the runner plate; the branch flow channels are sequentially arranged between the liquid inlet flow channel and the liquid outlet flow channel to form a vein-shaped flow channel form; the branch flow channels are arranged in a central symmetry mode and communicate with the liquid outlet flow channel. According to the flow battery, a vein fractal flow channel technology is developed based on a biological mimicry principle, and double advantages of a radial main vein and a fractal secondary network are fused, so that electrochemical reaction rates of all parts of the surface of the electrode are kept highly consistent, and the overall capacity of the battery is remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of battery simulation technology, and particularly relates to a flow battery based on a biomimetic leaf vein-shaped flow channel. Background Technology

[0002] As a core solution for large-scale energy storage technology, the flow channel design of flow batteries directly determines the electrolyte's mass transfer efficiency, energy efficiency, and system cost. Traditional flow channel structures include parallel flow channels and serpentine flow channels.

[0003] In traditional serpentine flow channels, the concentration gradient of active materials is significant as the electrolyte flows along the channel, leading to intensified concentration polarization from inlet to outlet. The pressure difference between adjacent channels is as low as 20 Pa, resulting in insufficient mass transfer in localized areas and limiting current density. While interdigitated flow fields can improve mass transfer efficiency, the excessive pressure drop increases pumping energy consumption, reducing the overall system energy efficiency to below 80%. Furthermore, in existing flow field designs, some regions form "dead zones" due to excessively low flow velocities, leading to a decrease in active material utilization. The dead zone ratio can reach 15%-30%, significantly impacting battery capacity.

[0004] In summary, existing flow channel designs lack the ability to autonomously optimize the coupling of multiple physical fields (flow field-electric field-concentration field), making it difficult to adapt to different operating conditions. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this utility model embodiment is to provide a flow battery based on a biomimetic leaf vein-shaped flow channel, which aims to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] This utility model embodiment is implemented as follows: a flow battery based on a biomimetic leaf vein-shaped flow channel includes an electrode module and an ion exchange membrane. Two electrode modules are provided, which serve as the positive and negative electrodes of the flow battery, respectively, and the two electrode modules are interconnected through the ion exchange membrane.

[0007] The electrode module includes a flow channel plate and a porous electrode. The flow channel plate is provided with an inlet flow channel, an outlet flow channel, and multiple branch channels. The inlet flow channel is located in the center of the flow channel plate and specifically includes a first inlet branch channel, a second inlet branch channel, a third inlet branch channel, and a fourth inlet branch channel. The outlet flow channels are located at the four corners of the flow channel plate and specifically include a first outlet branch channel, a second outlet branch channel, a third outlet branch channel, and a fourth outlet branch channel.

[0008] The branch channels include a first-level branch channel, a second-level branch channel, a third-level branch channel, a fourth-level branch channel, a fifth-level branch channel, a sixth-level branch channel, and a seventh-level branch channel arranged sequentially between the inlet channel and the outlet channel, forming a leaf vein-like channel shape; the branch channels are arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner and are interconnected with the outlet channel.

[0009] In a further technical solution, there are four inlet channels and four outlet channels, as well as four primary branch channels, four secondary branch channels, four tertiary branch channels, four quinary branch channels, six septum branch channels, and four septum branch channels. In addition, each of the aforementioned branch channels includes an inclined portion and two straight portions, and the branch channels of adjacent levels are interconnected and ultimately connected to the outlet channel.

[0010] In a further technical solution, each of the primary branch channels includes one inclined primary branch channel and two straight primary branch channels, and each of the inclined primary branch channels is connected to the first liquid inlet branch channel, the second liquid inlet branch channel, the third liquid inlet branch channel and the fourth liquid inlet branch channel respectively.

[0011] Each of the secondary branch channels includes one inclined secondary branch channel and two straight secondary branch channels, and each inclined secondary branch channel is connected to an inclined primary branch channel.

[0012] Each of the aforementioned tertiary branch channels includes one inclined tertiary branch channel and two straight tertiary branch channels, and each inclined tertiary branch channel is connected to an inclined secondary branch channel.

[0013] Each of the aforementioned fourth-order tributary channels includes one inclined fourth-order tributary channel and two straight fourth-order tributary channels, and each inclined fourth-order tributary channel is connected to an inclined third-order tributary channel.

[0014] Each of the aforementioned fifth-order tributary channels includes one inclined fifth-order tributary channel and two straight fifth-order tributary channels, and each inclined fifth-order tributary channel is connected to an inclined fourth-order tributary channel.

[0015] Each of the sixth-level tributary channels includes one inclined sixth-level tributary channel and two straight sixth-level tributary channels, and each inclined sixth-level tributary channel is connected to an inclined fifth-level tributary channel.

[0016] Each of the aforementioned seventh-level branch channels includes one inclined seventh-level branch channel and two straight seventh-level branch channels. Each inclined seventh-level branch channel is connected to an inclined sixth-level branch channel, and the first, second, third, and fourth liquid outlet channels are each connected to an inclined seventh-level branch channel.

[0017] This invention provides a flow battery based on a biomimetic leaf vein-shaped flow channel. Developed based on biomimicry principles, the leaf vein fractal flow channel technology integrates the advantages of a radial main vein and a fractal secondary network. This biomimetic architecture achieves a breakthrough in fluid dynamics: the main vein acts as a high-speed transmission channel, ensuring rapid electrolyte transport, while the fractal branch network expands the flow field coverage through its self-similar structure, significantly improving the uniformity of vanadium ion concentration distribution. This ensures a highly consistent electrochemical reaction rate across the electrode surface, eliminating the problem of excessively high or low local current density. It also solves the "dead zone" problem caused by uneven concentration in traditional designs, significantly improving the overall battery capacity and successfully eliminating the local concentration polarization phenomenon caused by the terminal effect of traditional flow channels. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a flow battery based on a biomimetic leaf vein-shaped flow channel provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the flow channel plate in a flow battery based on a biomimetic leaf vein-shaped flow channel, provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the coolant flow direction in a flow battery based on a biomimetic leaf vein-shaped flow channel, provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure changes on the surface of the leaf vein flow channel;

[0022] Figure 5 V is the middle plane of the porous electrode in the leaf vein flow channel. 2+ V 3+ VO 2+ VO 2+ Concentrations of each ion;

[0023] Figure 6 The pressure drop and pump efficiency changes of the leaf vein flow channel and the parallel DC channel relative to the electrolyte flow rate are represented.

[0024] In the attached diagram: Flow channel plate 1; Inlet channel 11; First inlet branch channel 111; Second inlet branch channel 112; Third inlet branch channel 113; Fourth inlet branch channel 114; First-level branch channel 12; Second-level branch channel 13; Third-level branch channel 14; Fourth-level branch channel 15; Fifth-level branch channel 16; Sixth-level branch channel 17; Seventh-level branch channel 18; Outlet channel 19; First outlet branch channel 191; Second outlet branch channel 192; Third outlet branch channel 193; Fourth outlet branch channel 194; Porous electrode 2; Ion exchange membrane 3. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0026] The specific implementation of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0027] like Figures 1-3 As shown, a flow battery based on a biomimetic leaf vein-shaped flow channel is provided in one embodiment of the present invention, including an electrode module and an ion exchange membrane 3. Two electrode modules are provided, which serve as the positive electrode and negative electrode of the flow battery, respectively, and the two electrode modules are interconnected through the ion exchange membrane 3.

[0028] The electrode module includes a flow channel plate 1 and a porous electrode 2. The flow channel plate 1 is provided with an inlet flow channel 11, an outlet flow channel 19, and multiple branch channels. The inlet flow channel 11 is located in the center of the flow channel plate 1, and specifically includes a first inlet branch channel 111, a second inlet branch channel 112, a third inlet branch channel 113, and a fourth inlet branch channel 114. The outlet flow channels 19 are located at the four corners of the flow channel plate 1, and specifically include a first outlet branch channel 191, a second outlet branch channel 192, a third outlet branch channel 193, and a fourth outlet branch channel 194.

[0029] The branch channels include a primary branch channel 12, a secondary branch channel 13, a tertiary branch channel 14, a quaternary branch channel 15, a quinary branch channel 16, a sixth branch channel 17, and a septum branch channel 18, which are sequentially arranged between the inlet channel 11 and the outlet channel 19, forming a leaf vein-like channel. The branch channels are arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner and are interconnected with the outlet channel 19.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown in the preferred embodiment of this utility model, in the complete model, there are four inlet channels 11 and four outlet channels 19, as well as four primary branch channels 12, four secondary branch channels 13, three tertiary branch channels 14, four quaternary branch channels 15, five quinary branch channels 16, six quaternary branch channels 17, and seven quaternary branch channels 18. In addition, each of the branch channels includes an inclined portion and two straight portions, and the branch channels of adjacent levels are interconnected and finally connected to the outlet channel 19.

[0031] like Figure 1As shown, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the primary branch channels 12 includes an inclined primary branch channel 122 and two straight primary branch channels 121. Each of the inclined primary branch channels 122 is connected to the first liquid inlet branch channel 111, the second liquid inlet branch channel 112, the third liquid inlet branch channel 113 and the fourth liquid inlet branch channel 114 respectively.

[0032] Each of the secondary branch channels 13 includes one inclined secondary branch channel 132 and two straight secondary branch channels 131, and each inclined secondary branch channel 132 is connected to an inclined primary branch channel 122.

[0033] Each of the aforementioned tertiary branch channels 14 includes one inclined tertiary branch channel 142 and two straight tertiary branch channels 141, and each inclined tertiary branch channel 142 is connected to an inclined secondary branch channel 132.

[0034] Each of the aforementioned fourth-level branch channels 15 includes an inclined fourth-level branch channel 152 and two straight fourth-level branch channels 151, and each inclined fourth-level branch channel 152 is connected to an inclined third-level branch channel 142.

[0035] Each of the fifth-level branch channels 16 includes an inclined fifth-level branch channel 162 and two straight fifth-level branch channels 161. Each inclined fifth-level branch channel 162 is connected to an inclined fourth-level branch channel 152.

[0036] Each of the sixth-level branch channels 17 includes one inclined sixth-level branch channel 172 and two straight sixth-level branch channels 171. Each inclined sixth-level branch channel 172 is connected to an inclined fifth-level branch channel 162.

[0037] Each of the seven-level branch channels 18 includes one inclined seven-level branch channel 182 and two straight seven-level branch channels 181. Each inclined seven-level branch channel 182 is connected to an inclined six-level branch channel 172. The first liquid outlet channel 191, the second liquid outlet channel 192, the third liquid outlet channel 193 and the fourth liquid outlet channel 194 are each connected to an inclined seven-level branch channel 182.

[0038] In this embodiment of the invention, a flow channel network is constructed using fractal geometry principles, combined with multi-level optimization of the main flow zone, distribution zone, and reaction zone. In the main flow zone, the width and depth of the flow channel are adjusted to balance bypass current loss and flow resistance loss; in the distribution zone, the flow deviation is dynamically adjusted to achieve uniform electrolyte distribution. Simulation data shows that the optimized flow channel pressure differential distribution uniformity is improved by 40%, and the dead zone area is reduced to below 5%. Based on real-time feedback of active material concentration, the depth or width of the flow channel in the dead zone area is iteratively adjusted. A turbulence channel design is introduced to enhance local turbulence, increasing the mass transfer coefficient by 30%. A multi-scale flow channel network is formed on the electrode surface by combining leaf-vein-shaped flow channels and a tree-like branch structure. The biomimetic leaf-vein-shaped flow channel, through the synergy of radial main channels and mesh branches, significantly improves the uniformity of vanadium ion distribution in the flow channel and electrode, while also avoiding insufficient electrolyte distribution at the end and sides of the battery and excessive local pressure drop. The uniform distribution of vanadium ions ensures that the electrochemical reaction rate remains highly consistent throughout the electrode surface, eliminating the problem of excessively high or low local current density. At the same time, this design ensures that all vanadium ions in the electrolyte can fully participate in the electrochemical reaction, solving the "dead zone" problem caused by uneven concentration in traditional designs, and significantly improving the overall capacity of the battery.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, pressure drop is obviously an important evaluation parameter when different flow field structures are used. To verify which flow field—the vein-type flow channel or the parallel direct-flow channel—has superior performance in reducing pressure drop and pump power loss, simulations were performed by adding the Brinkman equation to a multiphysics model. The width and height of both flow channels were 0.6 mm. Figure 4 As can be seen, the vein-type flow channel, due to its unique structure, can significantly reduce pressure drop, and the reduction is even more significant at higher electrolyte flow rates. To more clearly reflect the performance of the vein-type flow channel in reducing pressure drop, low electrolyte flow rates of 60 ml / min and high electrolyte flow rates of 180 ml / min were set, such as... Figure 4 As shown, at low flow rates, the blade channel can reduce the pressure drop by 87.96% compared to the parallel direct flow channel, and at high flow rates, this value is 77.43%, effectively demonstrating the advantage of the blade channel in reducing pump losses. Figure 5 The surface cloud map changes of the pressure distribution in the two flow fields are shown. It can be seen that the pressure drop decreases significantly from the inlet to the outlet. Figure 6 The trend of pump power loss as a function of flow rate was demonstrated, showing that a smaller pressure drop corresponds to less pump power loss. It is also compatible with various flow battery systems such as vanadium redox flow and zinc-bromine redox flow, maintaining stable mass transfer performance, especially over a wide temperature range (-20℃ to 50℃), making it suitable for energy storage scenarios in cold regions. It also supports modular design for easy mass production.

[0040] This biomimetic leaf vein-shaped flow channel patent overcomes core problems such as uneven mass transfer, large dead area, and low energy efficiency in traditional flow channels through biomimetic design and dynamic optimization algorithms. Its fractal flow channel topology, adaptive parameter adjustment, and composite structure design provide an innovative solution for the efficient, low-cost, and long-life operation of flow batteries, and are particularly suitable for the large-scale application needs of future long-term energy storage scenarios.

[0041] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A flow battery based on a biomimetic leaf vein-shaped flow channel, characterized in that, It includes an electrode module and an ion exchange membrane. Two electrode modules are provided, which serve as the positive and negative electrodes of the flow battery, respectively, and the two electrode modules are interconnected through the ion exchange membrane. The electrode module includes a flow channel plate and a porous electrode. The flow channel plate is provided with an inlet flow channel, an outlet flow channel, and multiple branch channels. The inlet flow channel is located in the center of the flow channel plate and specifically includes a first inlet branch channel, a second inlet branch channel, a third inlet branch channel, and a fourth inlet branch channel. The outlet flow channels are located at the four corners of the flow channel plate and specifically include a first outlet branch channel, a second outlet branch channel, a third outlet branch channel, and a fourth outlet branch channel. The branch channels include a first-level branch channel, a second-level branch channel, a third-level branch channel, a fourth-level branch channel, a fifth-level branch channel, a sixth-level branch channel, and a seventh-level branch channel arranged sequentially between the inlet channel and the outlet channel, forming a leaf vein-like channel shape; the branch channels are arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner and are interconnected with the outlet channel.

2. The flow battery based on a biomimetic leaf vein-shaped flow channel according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are four inlet channels and four outlet channels, as well as four primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary, quinary, sixth, and seventh-level branch channels. In addition, each branch channel includes an inclined section and two straight sections, and the branch channels of adjacent levels are interconnected and eventually connected to the outlet channel.

3. The flow battery based on a biomimetic leaf vein-shaped flow channel according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the aforementioned primary branch channels includes one inclined primary branch channel and two straight primary branch channels. Each of the inclined primary branch channels is connected to the first liquid inlet branch channel, the second liquid inlet branch channel, the third liquid inlet branch channel, and the fourth liquid inlet branch channel, respectively. Each of the secondary branch channels includes one inclined secondary branch channel and two straight secondary branch channels, and each inclined secondary branch channel is connected to an inclined primary branch channel. Each of the aforementioned tertiary branch channels includes one inclined tertiary branch channel and two straight tertiary branch channels, and each inclined tertiary branch channel is connected to an inclined secondary branch channel. Each of the aforementioned fourth-order tributary channels includes one inclined fourth-order tributary channel and two straight fourth-order tributary channels, and each inclined fourth-order tributary channel is connected to an inclined third-order tributary channel. Each of the aforementioned fifth-order tributary channels includes one inclined fifth-order tributary channel and two straight fifth-order tributary channels, and each inclined fifth-order tributary channel is connected to an inclined fourth-order tributary channel. Each of the sixth-level tributary channels includes one inclined sixth-level tributary channel and two straight sixth-level tributary channels, and each inclined sixth-level tributary channel is connected to an inclined fifth-level tributary channel. Each of the aforementioned seventh-level branch channels includes one inclined seventh-level branch channel and two straight seventh-level branch channels. Each inclined seventh-level branch channel is connected to an inclined sixth-level branch channel, and the first, second, third, and fourth liquid outlet channels are each connected to an inclined seventh-level branch channel.

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