Aqueous Carbon Capacitor Cell for Grid-Scale Safe Energy Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage systems, such as supercapacitors, face challenges in large-scale applications due to high cost, material safety concerns, and short duration, limiting their viability for grid-scale energy storage.
Innovation Solution
The development of carbon-based aqueous symmetric electrical double-layer capacitors with non-metallic current collectors, electrodes, and an aqueous electrolyte solution, designed for scalability and safety, featuring a large format with dimensions of 15 cm by 15 cm or larger, using renewable and sequestered carbon materials, and incorporating a separator and scaffolding for structural support and ion diffusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional supercapacitor designs are used for grid-scale energy storage, then energy storage capacity can be increased, but cost increases and safety concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrolyte parameter from organic to aqueous-based, which fundamentally alters the safety profile and cost structure while maintaining energy storage capacity. This parameter change enables grid-scale deployment by eliminating the cost and safety barriers associated with traditional organic electrolytes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily available materials such as activated carbon, steel wool, and aqueous electrolytes that can be easily manufactured and replaced. These materials dramatically reduce the cost of manufacture while maintaining adequate performance for grid-scale applications.
2Use of energy by moving object
If high-performance supercapacitor materials are used, then energy density improves, but duration of energy storage decreases to less than 1 hour
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of batteries (high energy density, long duration) with the advantages of supercapacitors (high power, fast response) by using aqueous electrolytes with carbon-based electrodes. This combination achieves both high energy density and extended duration exceeding 1 hour, suitable for grid-scale storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures including activated carbon electrodes combined with aqueous electrolytes containing zinc ions. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of high energy density and long duration by leveraging the complementary properties of different materials.
3Quantity of substance
If large-scale supercapacitor systems are deployed, then energy storage capacity increases, but material safety concerns worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of large-scale energy storage systems by using inherently safe aqueous electrolytes instead of flammable organic electrolytes. The aqueous-based system eliminates fire hazards while maintaining the high energy storage capacity needed for grid-scale applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a chemically stable and safe operating environment by using aqueous electrolytes that are non-flammable and environmentally benign. This inert-like environment eliminates the safety concerns associated with traditional supercapacitor materials at large scale.
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 design enables efficient, safe, and cost-effective large-scale energy storage with improved electrical safety, recyclability, and long life, capable of storing power from various sources, including grid and renewable energy, with energy density between 1 and 10 Wh/kg, suitable for applications requiring long-duration energy storage.
Implementation Method 1
There is a corresponding electrolyte solution providing ions that migrate from one side to the other during charge or discharge
Implementation Method 2
The positive and negative materials are separated by a separator or membrane that allow ions to migrate from one side to the other but separates the two materials from short circuiting
Implementation Method 3
Energy storage systems that depend on the electrical double-layer capacitance (EDLC), such as supercapacitors
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a supercapacitor cell apparatus, a stacked capacitor, and a system for large scale energy storage. The supercapacitor cell includes a first non-metallic current collector, a second non-metallic current collector, a first non-metallic electrode disposed adjacent to the first non-metallic current collector, a second non-metallic electrode disposed adjacent to the second non-metallic current collector, a separator disposed between the first non-metallic electrode and the second non-metallic electrode, and an electrolyte solution disposed between the first non-metallic current collector and the second non-metallic current collector.