Dynamic Metal-Anode Flow Battery Zinc Recovery System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current zinc-air batteries are difficult to reuse due to the complexity of extracting and reusing zinc material from the cathode, with no integrated systems available to efficiently recycle zinc oxide particles, leading to inefficiencies in energy storage and utilization.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic metal-anode flow battery system that includes a discharge module with metal-air batteries, a charging module with electrolysis devices and removal mechanisms to recycle zinc oxide particles, and a delivery system to reintroduce these particles as discharge reactants, enabling continuous reuse within the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If zinc-air batteries are designed as one-time consumables, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but resource utilization and sustainability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop system where zinc oxide particles discharged from the battery are collected, electrolyzed to regenerate zinc metal, and returned to the battery. This recovering mechanism eliminates waste of zinc material while maintaining manufacturing simplicity of the original battery design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates an automated electrolysis device that automatically regenerates zinc from zinc oxide using electrical energy. This self-service mechanism handles the recycling process without manual intervention, making resource recovery as simple as the original battery manufacturing.
2Productivity
If integrated electrolysis and battery systems are developed, then zinc material reuse efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the zinc-air battery and electrolysis device into a single integrated system where the electrolyte circulation loop connects both components. This combining approach enables automatic zinc material recovery within the battery system, improving reuse efficiency while managing complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte serves multiple functions: as the medium for ionic conduction in the battery, as the carrier for zinc oxide particles to the electrolysis device, and as the solvent for regenerated zinc. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and minimizes overall device complexity.
3Loss of substance
If manual electrolyte extraction and zinc transfer processes are used, then zinc recovery is possible, but operational complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically handles zinc recovery through the electrolysis device that continuously or periodically regenerates zinc from zinc oxide in the electrolyte. Users simply operate the battery normally while the system self-manages the zinc recovery process, maintaining ease of operation while eliminating zinc loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolysis process operates continuously or in regular cycles to maintain zinc material availability in the battery. This continuous action ensures zinc recovery is always happening without requiring manual intervention, making the process as simple as normal battery operation while maximizing zinc recovery capability.
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 allows for the efficient reuse of zinc particles, extending the life of the battery and enabling rapid charging and discharging, while also integrating with renewable energy sources to optimize energy storage and reduce environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one electrolysis device includes a conductive member and a plurality of electrolysis reactants immersed in a second electrolyte; the electrolysis reactants are electrolyzed to form a plurality of electrolysis products which are adhered to a surface of the conductive member
Implementation Method 2
a discharge module including at least one metal-air battery which includes a plurality of discharge reactants in a first electrolyte, wherein the discharge reactants react with oxygen in air to form a plurality of discharged products and discharge electric energy
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic metal-anode flow battery energy-storage system includes a discharge module, a charging module, and a delivery device. The discharge module includes a plurality of discharge reactants to be oxidized to discharge electric energy. The charging module is electrically connected to the discharge module and includes at least one electrolysis device and at least one removal device. The electrolysis device includes a conductive member which is to be energized with electricity, such that a plurality of electrolysis products having the same material with the discharge reactants are adhered to a surface thereof. The removal device includes a scraper adapted to remove the adhered electrolysis products from the surface of the conductive member. The delivery device is adapted to deliver the electrolysis products into the first electrolyte as the discharge reactants, and deliver the discharged products into the second electrolyte as the electrolysis reactants.