Flow Battery Cell Stack With Arch-Like Channels for Sealed Power Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow cell technology faces challenges in achieving high electric energy conversion efficiency due to the difficulty in sealing longer electrodes while maintaining power requirements, which affects the stability and efficiency of renewable energy storage systems.
Innovation Solution
A flow battery cell stack design featuring arch-like flow channels with multiple apertures that allow electrolyte flow through hermetically-assembled cell assemblies, enabling increased electrode length and improved sealability without compromising power output, by adjusting the electrode length and narrowing the electrolyte path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the length of the electrode is reduced to improve electric energy conversion efficiency, then the conversion efficiency is improved, but the area of the electrode must be increased to maintain the same power output
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into multiple segments with different lengths, arranged in parallel within the flow channel. This segmentation allows the total effective area to be maintained while individual electrode lengths are optimized for better energy conversion efficiency, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and area requirements
2Power
If the length of the electrode is increased to provide same power, then the power output is maintained, but the sealing of the flow channel becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The long electrode is segmented into multiple shorter sections that can be individually sealed and assembled. This segmentation makes the sealing process more manageable and reliable compared to sealing a single long electrode, while still achieving the required total power output through parallel arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing electrode length in one dimension which complicates sealing, the design transitions to utilizing multiple dimensions by arranging multiple electrode segments in parallel within the flow channel, achieving the required power through increased effective area rather than extended length
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 design enhances electric energy conversion efficiency and sealability, allowing for better power storage and stability in renewable energy systems by optimizing electrode length and electrolyte flow paths.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolyte in the first arch-like flow channel flows through the at least three hermetically-assembled cell assemblies via the flow channel aperture in the first arch-like flow channel to the second arch-like flow channel
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a flow battery and a cell stack. The cell stack includes: a first end plate; a second end plate; and at least one cell module arranged between the first end plate and the second end plate. Each cell module includes a first flow channel end plate, a second flow channel end plate arranged opposite to the first flow channel end plate, and single-cell assemblies arranged between the first flow channel end plate and the second flow channel end plate. The single-cell assemblies include at least three hermetically-assembled cell assemblies, the first flow channel end plate is provided with arch-like flow channels, the second flow channel end plate is provided with arch-like flow channels, and each arch-like flow channel is provided with a flow channel aperture in communication with the at least three hermetically-assembled cell assemblies.