Dual-Ion Battery Electrolyte Circulation for Higher Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual-ion batteries face limitations due to the need for excessively concentrated electrolytes and thick separators, as well as significant volume changes during charging and discharging, which hinder their commercial impact.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an external electrolyte reservoir with forced convection to reduce diffusion limitations and allow for optimal conductivity, enabling the use of minimally thick separators and minimizing volume changes, thereby enhancing ion participation in energy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If excessively concentrated electrolytes are used to utilize full electrode capacity, then energy storage capacity is improved, but electrolyte viscosity increases and ion transport is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into two functional zones: a flow cell containing the concentrated electrolyte reservoir and pumping mechanism, and a static cell containing the electrodes and separator. This segmentation allows the concentrated electrolyte to be stored and circulated separately from the electrode assembly, enabling high capacity utilization without permanent viscosity issues in the electrode region.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte concentration and flow rate are dynamically adjusted during operation. The pumping system circulates the concentrated electrolyte through the electrodes at controlled rates, optimizing ion transport based on operational conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain high capacity utilization while managing viscosity-related transport limitations through active flow control.
2Reliability
If thick separators are used to prevent ion depletion, then ion transport stability is improved, but cell energy density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is divided into two functional layers: a thin primary separator in direct contact with the electrodes that prevents ion depletion, and a thicker reservoir region in the flow cell that stores excess electrolyte. This segmentation allows the electrode region to use minimal separator thickness for high energy density, while the flow cell provides the bulk separator function for ion transport stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pumping system acts as an intermediary that actively transports ions between the flow cell reservoir and the electrode region. This active mediation replaces the passive diffusion-based ion transport through thick separators, enabling thin separator design while maintaining ion transport stability through controlled circulation.
3Quantity of substance
If both cations and anions participate in energy storage, then energy capacity is improved, but volume changes during charging and discharging increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the volume-critical electrode region from the volume-flexible electrolyte reservoir. The flow cell contains the bulk electrolyte volume that can accommodate volume changes during charging and discharging without affecting electrode integrity. This segmentation allows dual-ion energy storage with high capacity while isolating volume changes to the reservoir region.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte volume and pressure are dynamically managed through the pumping system and pressure equalization mechanisms. During charging and discharging, the system actively adjusts electrolyte circulation to accommodate volume changes from dual-ion insertion/extraction, maintaining electrolyte level and pressure stability in the electrode region while allowing volume flexibility in the flow cell reservoir.
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 approach results in higher specific capacity and energy density, alleviating volume change issues and allowing for optimal cell design, potentially unlocking dual-ion batteries for widespread use in energy storage systems.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for an optimized conductivity electrolyte with an external reservoir and pump
Implementation Method 2
experience substantial volume changes in the electrolyte while charging and discharging due to the need to have both ions participate in energy storage
Implementation Method 3
overly thick separators
Data Source
AI summary
Energy storage apparatus, systems, and methods provide an energy storage enclosure, a negative electrode in the enclosure, a positive electrode in the enclosure, a separator between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, an electrolyte in the enclosure, and the circulation of the electrolyte through the negative electrode and the positive electrode.