High-conductivity bipolar plate of flow battery with self-sealing structure

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of flow battery bipolar plates, and particularly relates to a flow battery high-conductivity bipolar plate with a self-sealing structure. The utility model aims to solve the sealing problem of the traditional composite bipolar plate and the contradiction between the mechanical strength and the conductivity. The high-conductivity bipolar plate of the flow battery with the self-sealing structure comprises a high-strength base plate and a high-conductivity bipolar plate, wherein the high-strength base plate consists of an effective area base body and a sealing base body; the sealing base body is located on the periphery of the effective area base body, and the effective area base body and the sealing base body are integrally formed. The thickness of the sealing substrate is smaller than that of the effective area substrate; the high conductive film is adhered to the surface of the effective area substrate; the geometric dimension of the high-conductivity film is the same as the surface dimension of the effective area substrate; the elastic self-sealing assembly is arranged on the outer side of the sealing base body in a sleeving mode The bipolar plate provided by the utility model provides a more reliable solution for large-scale application of the flow battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of flow battery bipolar plates, specifically relating to a self-sealing structure high conductivity bipolar plate for flow batteries. Background Technology

[0002] Flow batteries, as a highly efficient energy storage technology, have been widely used in large-scale energy storage systems due to their high energy conversion efficiency, long cycle life, and deep charge / discharge capability. Bipolar plates are one of the key components in flow batteries, serving not only to separate different electrolytes but also to conduct current and support the battery structure. Currently, the main materials used for flow battery bipolar plates include metal plates, graphite plates, and composite material plates. While metal bipolar plates possess good conductivity and mechanical strength, their poor corrosion resistance and susceptibility to chemical reactions with the electrolyte limit their application in flow batteries. Graphite bipolar plates, while exhibiting good corrosion resistance and conductivity, suffer from low mechanical strength, are difficult to process, and are costly. Composite material bipolar plates, to some extent, combine the advantages of both metals and graphite, and are widely used in flow batteries due to their high cost-effectiveness.

[0003] Currently, composite bipolar plates mainly utilize carbon composite materials, and the main technical challenge lies in the trade-off between mechanical strength and conductivity. Specifically: when the resin content in the composite bipolar plate is high, mechanical properties are good, but conductivity is insufficient, affecting the overall battery performance; conversely, when the resin content is low, conductivity improves, but mechanical properties decline, posing difficulties for the assembly and maintenance of flow batteries. Furthermore, the sealing of the bipolar plate is also a major factor limiting the reliability of flow batteries; conventional welding and hot-melt methods require complex equipment; line sealing and surface sealing methods increase assembly complexity and leakage risk.

[0004] Therefore, developing a flow battery bipolar plate with a self-sealing structure, good mechanical properties, and high conductivity is of great significance for improving the performance and market competitiveness of flow batteries. Utility Model Content

[0005] To overcome the contradiction between the mechanical properties and conductivity of composite material bipolar plates and to solve the sealing problem of bipolar plates, this invention provides a self-sealing high-conductivity bipolar plate for flow batteries. This bipolar plate achieves self-sealing without the need for additional sealing materials or methods, and also exhibits good mechanical properties and high conductivity.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution.

[0007] A self-sealing flow battery with a high conductivity bipolar plate, characterized in that it comprises:

[0008] The high-strength substrate 1 is composed of an effective area substrate 101 and a sealing substrate 102; the sealing substrate 102 is located around the effective area substrate 101, and the effective area substrate 101 and the sealing substrate 102 are integrally formed.

[0009] A highly conductive film 2 is adhered to the surface of the effective area substrate 101; the geometric dimensions of the highly conductive film 2 are the same as the surface dimensions of the effective area substrate 101.

[0010] The elastic self-sealing component 3 is sleeved on the outside of the sealing substrate 102.

[0011] Furthermore, the elastic self-sealing assembly 3 has one or more raised sealing lines 4 on both sides.

[0012] Furthermore, the elastic self-sealing component 3 is an elastic sealing material, and its geometric dimensions under natural stress are smaller than those of the sealing substrate 102.

[0013] Furthermore, the high-strength substrate 1 is a carbon-based material with high strength and low electrical conductivity.

[0014] Furthermore, the highly conductive film 2 is a natural graphite paper or artificial graphite film with low strength and high conductivity.

[0015] Furthermore, the thickness of the sealing substrate 102 is less than the thickness of the effective area substrate 101; the thickness of the sealing substrate 102 after the elastic self-sealing component 3 is applied is the same as the thickness of the effective area substrate 101 to which the highly conductive film 2 is adhered.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows.

[0017] (1) By installing an elastic self-sealing component on the edge of the composite bipolar plate, this utility model achieves the sealing of the bipolar plate and the flow frame without the aid of external sealing materials and sealing equipment, thereby simplifying the assembly process of the flow battery and improving the reliability of the flow battery.

[0018] (2) The high-strength substrate of the bipolar plate of this utility model is made of high-strength, low-conductivity carbon materials, thereby improving the mechanical strength and reliability of the bipolar plate; the effective area substrate is adhered with low-strength, high-conductivity natural graphite paper or artificial graphite film; while maintaining the good mechanical properties of the high-strength substrate, the conductivity of the bipolar plate is further improved. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 The diagram shows a simplified view of the high-strength substrate in Example 1 (a, top view, b, cross-sectional view).

[0020] Figure 2 The diagram shows a simplified view of the high-strength substrate and high-conductivity film combination in Example 1 (a, top view, b, cross-sectional view).

[0021] Figure 3 The diagram shows a simplified view of the elastic self-sealing component in Example 1 (a, top view, b, cross-sectional view).

[0022] Figure 4 The diagram shows a simplified view of the high-conductivity bipolar plate of the self-sealing flow battery in Example 1 (a, top view, b, cross-sectional view).

[0023] Among them, 1. High-strength substrate, 101. Effective area substrate, 102. Sealing substrate, 2. Highly conductive film, 3. Elastic self-sealing component, 4. Sealing line. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0025] Example 1.

[0026] like Figures 1-4 The present embodiment provides a self-sealing structure high-conductivity bipolar plate for a flow battery, comprising:

[0027] A high-strength substrate 1 comprises an effective area substrate 101 and a sealing substrate 102. The effective area substrate 101 has dimensions of 50cm × 30cm. The sealing substrate 102 is located around the effective area substrate 101, specifically in a 1cm wide "U"-shaped area outside the effective area substrate 101. The effective area substrate 101 and the sealing substrate 102 are integrally formed. The thickness of the sealing substrate 102 is less than the thickness of the effective area substrate 101. A highly conductive film 2 is adhered to the effective area substrate 101. On the surface of the area substrate 101; the geometric dimensions of the high conductivity film 2 are the same as the surface dimensions of the effective area substrate 101; the elastic self-sealing component 3 is sleeved on the outside of the sealing substrate 102. When in use, its elasticity is used to sleeve it on the outer edge of the sealing substrate 102, and the elastic force when the elastic element contracts is used to press the high strength substrate 1 to achieve internal sealing of the high strength substrate 1; the elastic self-sealing component 3 has two raised sealing lines 4 on both sides, and the two raised sealing lines 4 increase the reliability of the bipolar plate sealing the fluid flow frame.

[0028] In this embodiment, the elastic self-sealing component 3 is made of EPDM rubber. Under natural stress, its geometric dimensions are smaller than those of the sealing substrate 102, so that it can have a rebound force to press the high-strength substrate 1 when it is sleeved.

[0029] In this embodiment, the high-strength substrate 1 is a high-strength, low-conductivity carbon material with a high resin content, thereby improving mechanical strength and providing good support; the high-conductivity film 2 is a low-strength, high-conductivity natural graphite paper, which improves the electrochemical performance of the effective area.

[0030] The high-strength substrate 1 has a thickness of 0.8 mm, the high-conductivity film 2 has a thickness of 0.1 mm, and the total thickness of the effective area substrate 101 is 1 mm. The edge thickness of the elastic self-sealing assembly 3 with a "C" shaped cross-section is 0.3 mm. The sealing substrate 102 area is machined to remove 0.2 mm of thickness. The thickness of the sealing substrate 102 after covering the elastic self-sealing assembly 3 is also 1 mm, which is the same as the thickness of the effective area substrate 101 of the composite high-conductivity film 2, so as to facilitate the overall assembly of the flow battery.

Claims

1. A high-conductivity bipolar plate for a self-sealing flow battery, characterized in that, include: The high-strength substrate (1) is composed of an effective area substrate (101) and a sealing substrate (102); The sealing substrate (102) is located around the effective area substrate (101), and the effective area substrate (101) and the sealing substrate (102) are integrally formed; A highly conductive film (2) is adhered to the surface of an effective area substrate (101); the geometric dimensions of the highly conductive film (2) are the same as the surface dimensions of the effective area substrate (101); The elastic self-sealing component (3) is fitted on the outside of the sealing substrate (102).

2. The high-conductivity bipolar plate of the self-sealing flow battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic self-sealing component (3) has one or more raised sealing lines (4) on both sides.

3. The high-conductivity bipolar plate of the self-sealing flow battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic self-sealing component (3) is an elastic sealing material, and its geometric dimensions under natural stress are smaller than those of the sealing substrate (102).

4. The high-conductivity bipolar plate of the self-sealing flow battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The high-strength substrate (1) is a carbon-based material with high strength and low electrical conductivity.

5. The high-conductivity bipolar plate of the self-sealing flow battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The highly conductive film (2) is a low-strength, high-conductivity natural graphite paper or an artificial graphite film.

6. The high-conductivity bipolar plate of the self-sealing flow battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the sealing substrate (102) is less than the thickness of the effective area substrate (101); the thickness of the sealing substrate (102) after the elastic self-sealing component (3) is applied is the same as the thickness of the effective area substrate (101) to which the highly conductive film (2) is adhered.

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