Electrolyte-Driven Hydrogen Pump for Compact Flow Battery Gas Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing redox flow battery systems face challenges in efficiently managing hydrogen gas due to the large size and high parasitic power demand of commercially available hydrogen pumps, as well as mechanical degradation and leakage issues associated with venturi injectors and liquid/gas separators, which hinder the scalability and efficiency of hydrogen delivery within the system.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electrolyte-driven hydrogen pump, where the flow of electrolyte powers a turbine that drives the rotation of an impeller, allowing for the efficient and compact movement of hydrogen gas within the redox flow battery system, reducing parasitic power demand and eliminating the need for additional electrical power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If commercially available hydrogen pumps are used to transfer hydrogen gas, then hydrogen delivery is achieved, but the system size increases and parasitic power demand increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hydrogen pumping function with the existing electrolyte circulation system by integrating a hydrogen impeller into the electrolyte pump assembly. The electrolyte pump serves dual purposes: circulating electrolyte and pumping hydrogen gas, thereby eliminating the need for a separate hydrogen pump and reducing parasitic power demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte pump is designed to perform multiple functions: it circulates electrolyte through the battery system and simultaneously acts as a hydrogen pump by incorporating a hydrogen impeller that transfers hydrogen gas from the electrolyte tank to the rebalancing cell. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity and energy consumption.
2Productivity
If venturi injectors and liquid/gas separators are used to manage hydrogen gas, then hydrogen transfer is achieved, but mechanical degradation and leakage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the venturi injector and liquid/gas separator components from the hydrogen management system. By using a direct impeller-based hydrogen pumping mechanism integrated into the electrolyte pump, the system removes multiple mechanical interfaces that were prone to degradation and leakage, thereby improving reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional equipment is added to move hydrogen gas, then hydrogen management capability is improved, but system footprint and heat load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen management capability is integrated into the existing electrolyte pump assembly by adding a hydrogen impeller. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate hydrogen pumping equipment, thereby maintaining enhanced hydrogen management capability while minimizing additional system footprint and heat load.
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 solution enables a more compact, efficient, and cost-effective hydrogen management system, reducing mechanical degradation and leakage risks while maintaining system performance and scalability, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of hydrogen delivery in redox flow batteries.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine coupled to an impeller by a shaft and positioned within a flow path of a liquid, a flow of the liquid driven by a liquid pump based on operation of the electrochemical cell system, and wherein the flow of the liquid across the turbine drives rotation of the pumping device
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for pumping hydrogen within an electrochemical cell system. In one example, a liquid driven hydrogen pump includes an impeller positioned within a flow path of a gas, and a turbine coupled to the impeller by a shaft and positioned within a flow path of a liquid. A flow of the liquid is driven by a liquid pump based on operation of the electrochemical cell system and the flow of the liquid across the turbine drives rotation of the impeller and an increase in a flow of the gas.