External Pressure Adjustment Bag for Flow Battery Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing pressure adjustment mechanisms in electrolytic solution circulation type batteries, such as redox flow batteries, have limited maintainability and a narrow pressure adjustable range due to the internal placement of pressure adjustment bags, which complicates maintenance and can lead to tank damage from pressure fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
An external pressure adjustment mechanism is implemented, where a pressure adjustment bag is placed outside the tank, allowing for easier maintenance and a wider pressure adjustable range without the need to discharge the battery, and includes a gas discharge mechanism to manage positive pressure and a gas supply mechanism to dilute and ventilate the tank atmosphere.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the pressure adjustment bag is placed inside the tank, then the pressure adjustment mechanism is compact, but the maintainability deteriorates and the pressure adjustable range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure adjustment bag is extracted from the internal placement inside the tank and relocated to an external position. The bag is now disposed outside the tank with its opening connected to the gas phase portion through a communication passage, allowing maintenance personnel to access and service the bag without opening the tank, thereby significantly improving maintainability while keeping the mechanism compact.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication passage is introduced as an intermediary element connecting the gas phase portion inside the tank to the externally placed pressure adjustment bag. This passage allows the bag to function as a pressure adjustment mechanism while being positioned outside the tank, resolving the contradiction between compact internal placement and easy external maintenance.
2Device complexity
If the pressure adjustment bag is placed inside the tank, then the structure is simple, but the pressure adjustable range becomes narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure adjustment bag is extracted from the constrained internal space and positioned externally, where it has sufficient space to expand and contract over a wider volume range. This external placement allows the bag to accommodate larger pressure fluctuations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the use of a communication passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure adjustment mechanism transitions from a two-dimensional internal placement to a three-dimensional external configuration. The bag can now utilize external space in multiple directions, enabling a wider pressure adjustable range while keeping the connection to the tank simple through the communication passage.
3Ease of repair
If the tank is opened for maintenance of the pressure adjustment bag, then the bag can be serviced, but the electrolyte may oxidize
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure adjustment bag is extracted from the tank interior and positioned externally, creating a separate maintenance zone. This allows maintenance personnel to service the bag independently without opening the tank, thereby preventing electrolyte exposure to air and eliminating the oxidation risk while maintaining full accessibility for repairs.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication passage serves as an intermediary that connects the sealed tank environment to the external pressure adjustment bag. This intermediary allows the bag to be serviced externally while maintaining the hermetic seal of the tank, preventing air entry and electrolyte oxidation during maintenance operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the pressure adjustment bag volume is increased for wider pressure adjustment range, then the pressure adjustable range improves, but the tank volume must increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure adjustment bag is extracted from the tank interior and positioned externally, decoupling the bag volume from the tank volume. This allows the bag to be sized independently for the required pressure adjustment range without increasing the tank volume, as the bag now utilizes external space rather than internal tank space.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure adjustment mechanism moves from internal three-dimensional space to external space, providing additional volume capacity without constraining the tank dimensions. The bag can expand and contract in external space, achieving a wider pressure adjustable range while maintaining the original tank volume.
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 enhances maintainability, increases battery capacity, reduces tank size, and effectively suppresses both positive and negative pressure fluctuations, preventing tank damage while maintaining electrolyte oxidation prevention.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure adjustment bag which is provided outside the tank and expands or contracts in response to changes in pressure of the gas phase portion in the tank
Implementation Method 2
The electrolytes in the positive electrode electrolyte tank 20 and the negative electrode electrolyte tank 21 are supplied from the supply flow paths 30 and 31 to the cells 12 and 13 by pumps 34 and 35
Implementation Method 3
a battery cell 10 which is separated into a positive electrode cell 12 and a negative electrode cell 11 by a separator 11 that allows hydrogen ions to permeate
Data Source
AI summary
An electrolytic solution circulation type battery includes a tank which stores an electrolyte to be circulated to a battery cell, and a pressure adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the pressure of a gas phase portion in the tank. The pressure adjustment mechanism includes a pressure adjustment bag which is provided outside the tank and expands or contracts in response to changes in pressure of the gas phase portion in the tank.