Acid-Based Flow Battery Self-Balancing Hydrogen Cycle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems face inefficiencies due to surge, Faradaic efficiency imbalances, and the need for electrochemical rebalancing, particularly in redox flow batteries, and do not effectively utilize hydrogen as a self-consumption vector.
Innovation Solution
An electrical energy accumulation system utilizing a neutralization reaction between acidic and basic solutions separated by an ion exchange membrane, where molecular hydrogen is oxidized and reduced to generate and regenerate the solutions, eliminating the need for rebalancing and optimizing hydrogen consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional redox flow batteries are used, then energy storage is achieved, but Faradaic efficiency imbalance occurs between positive and negative electrodes requiring rebalancing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses hydrogen as a self-consumption vector that is produced during charging and consumed during discharging, automatically balancing the charge between electrodes without requiring external rebalancing systems. The hydrogen production and consumption rates are inherently synchronized with the electrochemical reactions at each electrode.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydrogen acts as an intermediary substance that mediates the charge balance between the positive and negative electrodes. It is generated at one electrode during charging and consumed at the same electrode during discharging, serving as a buffer that equalizes Faradaic efficiency imbalances.
2Reliability
If electrochemical rebalancing systems are added, then charge balance is restored, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system self-balances its charge through the inherent production and consumption of hydrogen during charge and discharge cycles, eliminating the need for external rebalancing equipment such as pumps, valves, or additional electrochemical cells that would increase system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the rebalancing system component entirely from the battery architecture, relying instead on the natural electrochemical processes of hydrogen production and consumption to maintain charge balance automatically.
3Productivity
If hydrogen is used as energy vector, then energy storage capacity increases, but hydrogen management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates its own hydrogen during charging through water electrolysis at the positive electrode and consumes it during discharging through oxidation at the same electrode, creating a closed internal hydrogen cycle that eliminates the need for external hydrogen storage tanks, supply lines, or safety management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogen produced during charging is not discarded or stored externally but is immediately available for recovery and consumption during discharging, creating a fully internal hydrogen economy that simplifies the overall system architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system achieves high Faradaic efficiency, reduces inefficiencies, lowers costs, increases energy storage capacity, and eliminates the need for electrochemical rebalancing, with minimal surge and high reversibility of processes.
Implementation Method 1
two highly concentrated solutions, one acidic and the other basic, separated by an ion exchange membrane
Implementation Method 2
an oxidation reaction in which molecular hydrogen is oxidized to a proton
Implementation Method 3
a reduction reaction in which water is reduced to molecular hydrogen and hydroxyl ions
Implementation Method 4
The redox processes of this electrochemical system are based on an oxidation reaction... and a reduction reaction...
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and process for the accumulation of electrical energy, the system containing an electrochemical reactor comprising: an electrode compartment comprising molecular hydrogen, an electrode compartment comprising a liquid phase (a), an electrode compartment comprising a liquid phase (b), a catalytic surface comprising an electrocatalyst for the oxidation reaction of hydrogen, a catalytic surface comprising an electrocatalyst for the reduction reaction of water and an ion exchange membrane, wherein electrode compartment and electrode compartment are separated from one another by the catalytic surface, electrode compartment is in turn separated from electrode compartment by the ion exchange membrane and the free end of electrode compartment is in contact with the catalytic surface.