Flow battery test apparatus

Abstract

A flow battery test apparatus, comprising a housing (100) and a test main body, the test main body comprising a test stack (200) and a plurality of liquid path assemblies (300), the test stack (200) having a plurality of liquid flow paths, the outer surface of the housing (100) being provided with a bearing surface (110), the test stack (200) being arranged on the bearing surface (110), and the plurality of liquid path assemblies (300) being arranged in the housing (100) and circularly communicated with the plurality of liquid flow paths on a one-to-one basis. Using the miniaturized flow battery test apparatus to replace an actual flow battery to perform related testing can achieve a test result equivalent to a test result of the actual flow battery, thus effectively reducing test difficulty.

Description

A flow battery testing device Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to, but is not limited to, the technical field of battery stack equipment, and specifically refers to a flow battery testing device. Background Art

[0002] As an essential component of the emerging clean energy industry, flow batteries serve as a crucial bridge between the power grid and end users in the photovoltaic and wind energy sectors. Flow batteries store electricity from the grid and deliver it to end users, making their stability, safety, energy conversion efficiency, and storage capacity key areas of ongoing research and development for battery manufacturers.

[0003] The current mainstream liquid flow battery consists of: a liquid tank for storing electrolyte, a battery stack, a liquid supply line, a liquid return line, and a liquid pump. To meet the requirements of sufficient power reserve, each component is bulky. The assembled liquid flow battery is usually installed inside an engineering container and then transported as a whole to the project site for relevant testing. During the testing process, if data errors or parameter discrepancies occur, it is extremely difficult to adjust and modify the liquid flow battery. In addition, due to the large size of a single liquid flow battery, the size of multiple liquid flow batteries is even larger. When relevant testing of multiple liquid flow batteries is required, most companies cannot provide a site that can accommodate multiple liquid flow batteries.

[0004] Utility Model Content

[0005] The present application provides a liquid flow battery testing device for performing relevant tests instead of an actual liquid flow battery. The testing process is easy to perform and can achieve test results equivalent to those of an actual liquid flow battery.

[0006] The liquid flow battery testing device provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes a shell and a test body, the test body includes a test cell stack and multiple liquid path components, the test cell stack has multiple liquid flow paths, the outer surface of the shell is provided with a bearing surface, the test cell stack is arranged on the bearing surface, and the multiple liquid path components are arranged in the shell and are circulated and connected with the multiple liquid flow paths in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0007] In some exemplary embodiments, the test stack includes two end plates, a plurality of flow channel frame assemblies arranged between the two end plates, and a proton exchange membrane arranged between adjacent flow channel frame assemblies. The two end plates are provided with a plurality of liquid inlet pipes connected one-to-one with the plurality of flow channel frame assemblies and a plurality of liquid outlet pipes connected one-to-one with the plurality of flow channel frame assemblies. The liquid inlet pipe and the liquid outlet pipe connected to each flow channel frame assembly together constitute a liquid flow path.

[0008] In some exemplary embodiments, the flow channel frame assembly includes a flow channel frame and a carbon felt disposed in the flow channel frame, and the proton exchange membrane is replaceably disposed between adjacent flow channel frames.

[0009] In some exemplary embodiments, each group of the liquid circuit components includes a liquid tank, a liquid pump, a liquid supply pipeline and a liquid return pipeline, the inlet of the liquid supply pipeline is connected to the outlet of the liquid tank, the outlet of the liquid return pipeline is connected to the inlet of the liquid tank, and the liquid pump is arranged in the liquid supply pipeline or the liquid return pipeline.

[0010] In some exemplary embodiments, the liquid pump is a centrifugal pump, and the centrifugal pump is provided in the liquid supply pipeline.

[0011] In some exemplary embodiments, the housing is provided with a plurality of drainage pipes, and the plurality of drainage pipes are connected to the plurality of liquid tanks in a one-to-one correspondence through a plurality of switch valves.

[0012] In some exemplary embodiments, the bearing surface is located on the top surface of the housing.

[0013] In some exemplary embodiments, the flow battery testing device further includes: a tray disposed on the carrying surface, and the test battery stack is disposed on the tray.

[0014] In some exemplary embodiments, the tray is bonded to the carrying surface.

[0015] In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of fluid path assemblies is two fluid path assemblies, and the plurality of liquid flow paths is two liquid flow paths.

[0016] The technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present utility model can achieve test results equivalent to those of actual flow batteries by using a miniaturized liquid flow battery test device to replace the actual liquid flow battery for relevant tests, which can effectively reduce the difficulty of testing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a flow battery testing device provided in some embodiments;

[0018] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the flow battery testing device shown in FIG1 .

[0019] In the accompanying drawings, the components represented by the reference numerals are as follows:

[0020] 100 shell, 110 bearing surface, 120 drain pipe, 130 connecting side, 140 upper table, 200 test stack, 210 end plate, 211 liquid inlet pipe, 212 liquid outlet pipe, 300 liquid path assembly, 310 liquid tank, 320 liquid pump, 330 liquid supply pipeline, 340 liquid return pipeline, 400 tray. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the various components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0023] In addition, the terms "first," "second," and so on, used in this utility model are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, features specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of this utility model, "plurality" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0024] In this utility model, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "connection" and "fixation" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "fixation" can mean fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; it can mean mechanical connection or electrical connection; "connection" can mean direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can mean internal communication between two elements or interaction between two elements, unless otherwise specified. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility model can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0025] In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the fact that ordinary technicians in this field can implement it. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by this utility model.

[0026] The flow battery testing device provided by the present invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, includes a housing 100 and a test body. The test body includes a test cell stack 200 and multiple fluid path assemblies 300. The test cell stack 200 has multiple fluid flow paths. The outer surface of the housing 100 is provided with a bearing surface 110, and the test cell stack 200 is disposed on the bearing surface 110. The multiple fluid path assemblies 300 are disposed within the housing 100 and are in one-to-one correspondence and cyclic communication with the multiple fluid flow paths. The ratio of the size of the test body to the size of the actual flow battery is set to 1:K, where K>1.

[0027] The ratio of the size of the test body to the size of the actual liquid flow battery is set to 1:K, K>1. By using a miniaturized liquid flow battery test device to replace the actual liquid flow battery for relevant tests, the test results equivalent to the test results of the actual liquid flow battery can be achieved, which can effectively reduce the difficulty of the test.

[0028] Those skilled in the art can reasonably select K as needed. By reasonably selecting K, the size of the manufactured flow battery test device can be relatively small, which can be placed in a laboratory site for relevant tests, thereby effectively reducing the difficulty of testing.

[0029] For example: the length of the shell is 500mm~2800mm, the width of the shell is 760mm~3200mm, and the height of the shell is 1300mm~2500mm; the length of the test stack 200 is 500mm~2680mm, the width of the test stack 200 is 300mm~2530mm, and the height of the test stack 200 is 310mm~1060mm.

[0030] In some examples, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the test stack 200 includes two end plates 210, a plurality of flow channel frame assemblies arranged between the two end plates 210, and a proton exchange membrane arranged between adjacent flow channel frame assemblies. The two end plates 210 are provided with a plurality of liquid inlet pipes 211 connected to the plurality of flow channel frame assemblies in a one-to-one correspondence and a plurality of liquid outlet pipes 212 connected to the plurality of flow channel frame assemblies in a one-to-one correspondence. Each flow channel frame assembly and the liquid inlet pipe 211 and liquid outlet pipe 212 connected thereto together constitute a liquid flow path.

[0031] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the multiple flow channel frame assemblies are two flow channel frame assemblies, the multiple liquid flow paths are two liquid flow paths, and the multiple liquid path assemblies 300 are two liquid path assemblies. The two end plates 210 are connected by bolts, and the two flow channel frame assemblies are clamped and fixed between the two end plates 210. The two liquid inlet pipes 211 are connected to the two flow channel frame assemblies in a one-to-one correspondence, and the two liquid outlet pipes 212 are also connected to the two flow channel frame assemblies in a one-to-one correspondence. One of the two flow channel frame assemblies is supplied with a positive electrode electrolyte by one of the liquid path assemblies 300, and the other is supplied with a negative electrode electrolyte by the other liquid path assembly 300.

[0032] In some examples, each flow channel frame assembly includes a flow channel frame and a carbon felt disposed in the flow channel frame, and a proton exchange membrane is replaceably disposed between two adjacent flow channel frames to prevent mixing of two electrolytes (positive electrode electrolyte and negative electrode electrolyte) respectively supplied into the two flow channel frames.

[0033] In some examples, as shown in FIG2 , each liquid circuit assembly 300 includes a liquid tank 310, a liquid pump 320, a liquid supply line 330, and a liquid return line 340. The inlet of the liquid supply line 330 is connected to the outlet of the liquid tank 310, and the outlet of the liquid return line 340 is connected to the inlet of the liquid tank 310. The liquid pump 320 is disposed in the liquid supply line 330 or the liquid return line 340. The outlet of the liquid supply line 330 and the inlet of the liquid return line 340 are connected to the corresponding liquid inlet pipe 211 and liquid outlet pipe 212. In some embodiments, the liquid pump 320 is configured as a centrifugal pump, which is disposed in the liquid supply line 330.

[0034] In some examples, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 100 is provided with two drain pipes 120, which are located below the two liquid tanks 310. The two drain pipes 120 are connected to the two liquid tanks 310 in a one-to-one correspondence via two on-off valves. When the on-off valves are opened, the electrolyte in the liquid tanks 310 connected to the on-off valves is discharged sequentially through the on-off valves and the drain pipes 120 connected to the on-off valves.

[0035] In some examples, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bearing surface 110 is located on the top surface of the housing 100. Alternatively, the top surface of the housing 100 may be a stepped surface having a lower table, a connecting side surface 130, and an upper table surface 140. The bearing surface 110 is the lower table surface. The outlet of the liquid supply line 330 and the inlet of the liquid return line 340 extend from the housing 100 through the connecting side surface 130 to the outside of the housing 100 and connect to the test stack 200.

[0036] In some examples, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the flow battery test device further includes a tray 400, which is disposed on the carrying surface 110, and the test stack 200 is detachably mounted on the tray 400. Alternatively, the tray 400 may be bonded to the carrying surface 110, or may be fixed to the carrying surface 110 via screws, etc. All of the above can achieve the purpose of this application, and their purpose does not deviate from the design concept of this utility model, so they will not be repeated here and should fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0037] In summary, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present invention can achieve test results equivalent to those of actual flow batteries by using a miniaturized liquid flow battery testing device to replace the actual liquid flow battery for relevant tests, thereby effectively reducing the difficulty of testing.

[0038] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and cannot be understood as limitations on the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A flow battery testing device, characterized in that: It includes a shell and a test body, the test body includes a test cell stack and multiple fluid path components, the test cell stack has multiple liquid flow paths, the outer surface of the shell is provided with a bearing surface, the test cell stack is arranged on the bearing surface, and the multiple fluid path components are arranged in the shell and are cyclically connected with the multiple liquid flow paths in a one-to-one correspondence.

2. The flow battery testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The test stack includes two end plates, a plurality of flow channel frame assemblies arranged between the two end plates, and a proton exchange membrane arranged between adjacent flow channel frame assemblies. The two end plates are provided with a plurality of liquid inlet pipes connected to the plurality of flow channel frame assemblies in a one-to-one correspondence, and a plurality of liquid outlet pipes connected to the plurality of flow channel frame assemblies in a one-to-one correspondence. Each flow channel frame assembly and the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid outlet pipe connected thereto together constitute a liquid flow path.

3. The flow battery testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The flow channel frame assembly comprises a flow channel frame and a carbon felt arranged in the flow channel frame, and the proton exchange membrane is replaceably arranged between adjacent flow channel frames.

4. The flow battery testing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Each group of the liquid circuit components includes a liquid tank, a liquid pump, a liquid supply pipeline and a liquid return pipeline. The inlet of the liquid supply pipeline is connected to the outlet of the liquid tank, the outlet of the liquid return pipeline is connected to the inlet of the liquid tank, and the liquid pump is arranged on the liquid supply pipeline or the liquid return pipeline.

5. The flow battery testing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The liquid pump is a centrifugal pump, and the centrifugal pump is arranged in the liquid supply pipeline.

6. The flow battery testing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The shell is provided with a plurality of drainage pipes, and the plurality of drainage pipes are connected with the plurality of liquid tanks in a one-to-one correspondence through a plurality of switch valves.

7. The flow battery testing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The bearing surface is located on the top surface of the shell.

8. The flow battery testing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Also includes: A tray is arranged on the carrying surface, and the test stack is arranged on the tray.

9. The flow battery testing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The tray is bonded to the carrying surface.

10. The flow battery testing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The plurality of liquid path components are two of the liquid path components, and the plurality of liquid flow paths are two of the liquid flow paths.

Images