Electrolyte-Circulating Battery Bypass Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrolyte-circulating batteries face inefficiencies due to overcooling during winter, leading to increased viscosity and pressure loss, which inhibits charge-discharge reactions and degrades battery performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heat exchanger with a bypass flow channel and a flow rate variable mechanism allows for controlled electrolyte temperature adjustment, preventing overcooling by routing electrolytes through the bypass channel during low temperatures and cooling through the heat exchanger as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat exchangers are installed in the circulation channel to cool the electrolyte, then the electrolyte temperature can be controlled during summer, but the electrolyte is significantly overcooled during winter
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation channel is segmented into two separate channels: a first circulation channel passing through the heat exchanger for cooling, and a second circulation channel bypassing the heat exchanger. This segmentation allows selective routing of electrolyte flow based on temperature requirements, preventing overcooling in winter while maintaining cooling capability in summer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between the first and second circulation channels based on ambient temperature conditions. The circulation pump can redirect electrolyte flow between channels, enabling adaptive temperature control that responds to seasonal changes and prevents the overcooling problem.
2Temperature
If the electrolyte temperature drops during winter, then the viscosity of the electrolyte increases, but this increases the pressure loss and inhibits charge-discharge reactions
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the circulation system into cooling and bypass channels, the electrolyte can be routed through the bypass channel during winter to avoid excessive cooling. This maintains optimal temperature for charge-discharge reactions while preventing the viscosity increase that would otherwise occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors and control mechanisms that monitor electrolyte temperature and automatically adjust the circulation path. When temperature drops below optimal levels, the system switches to the bypass channel, providing feedback-based control that maintains reaction efficiency.
3Temperature
If the electrolyte viscosity increases due to overcooling, then the pressure loss increases, but the battery efficiency and performance are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-channel circulation system allows the electrolyte to bypass the heat exchanger during winter, avoiding the temperature drop that causes viscosity increase and subsequent pressure loss. This segmentation prevents the chain reaction of overcooling → viscosity increase → pressure loss → energy waste.
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 configuration enables precise temperature control, reducing pressure loss and maintaining optimal electrolyte viscosity, thereby enhancing battery performance and efficiency by promoting charge-discharge reactions.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger (10, 11) that cools the electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
the electrolyte inside the cooling region is cooled with a cooling mechanism
Implementation Method 3
the electrolytes generate heat due to battery reaction
Implementation Method 4
a flow rate variable mechanism that is capable of varying a flow rate of the electrolyte flowing through the heat exchanger (10, 11) and a flow rate of the electrolyte flowing through the bypass flow channel (30, 31)
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrolyte-circulating battery in which the electrolyte temperature is easily controlled is provided. An electrolyte-circulating battery includes a battery cell and a circulation channel that circulates an electrolyte to the battery cell. The electrolyte-circulating battery comprises a heat exchanger installed in the circulation channel and configured to cool the electrolyte; a bypass flow channel that connects an electrolyte inflow side and an electrolyte outflow side of the heat exchanger to each other so as to bypass the heat exchanger; and a flow rate variable mechanism capable of varying a flow rate of the electrolyte flowing through the heat exchanger and a flow rate of the electrolyte flowing through the bypass flow channel.