Flow Battery Electrode Assembly with Conductive Spacer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical systems for off-peak energy storage, such as flow batteries, face challenges in achieving low capital costs, long cycle life, high efficiency, and low maintenance, particularly in maintaining pressure and preventing halogen reactant separation within the system.
Innovation Solution
A flow battery design featuring a sealed pressure vessel with a stack of electrochemical cells and a reservoir for a metal-halide electrolyte and liquefied halogen reactant, utilizing a closed loop circuit to circulate the electrolyte and reactant without separation, and employing impermeable and permeable metal electrodes connected by conductive spacers to maintain electrical continuity and prevent halogen reactant separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a flow battery system uses a closed loop circuit to circulate electrolyte and reactant, then efficiency is improved and maintenance is reduced, but maintaining pressure and preventing halogen reactant separation becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The flow battery system is divided into multiple electrochemical cells arranged in a stack, with each cell containing separate compartments for different reactants. This segmentation allows independent pressure control and prevents mixing of halogen reactant with electrolyte, while maintaining overall system efficiency through the closed loop circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
A diaphragm or membrane is introduced as an intermediary barrier between compartments containing halogen reactant and electrolyte. This intermediary prevents direct contact and separation issues while allowing selective ion transport, maintaining both pressure integrity and electrochemical efficiency in the closed loop system.
2Reliability
If impermeable and permeable metal electrodes are used to maintain electrical continuity, then electrical contact between electrodes is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the electrode structure are assigned different properties: impermeable metal portions provide electrical continuity and structural support, while permeable metal portions allow electrolyte flow and reactant access. This local differentiation of electrode quality enables simultaneous achievement of electrical contact and fluid permeability without requiring entirely separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: electrical conduction, mechanical support, and controlled fluid permeability are all achieved through the combined impermeable and permeable metal electrode structure, reducing overall device complexity despite the multifunctional requirements.
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 efficiency, reduces maintenance, and ensures uninterrupted power supply by maintaining electrical contact between electrodes and preventing halogen reactant separation, thereby improving the overall performance and reliability of the flow battery system.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochemical cell capable of converting chemical energy to electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
a flow circuit configured to transport the metal-halide electrolyte and the liquefied halogen reactant to and from the electrochemical cell
Implementation Method 3
at least one electrically conductive spacer connects the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable, substantially metal electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A flow battery electrode assembly with a first impermeable, substantially metal electrode, a second permeable, substantially metal electrode and at least one electrically conductive spacer. The electrically conductive spacer connects the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable, substantially metal electrode such that the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable, substantially metal electrode are spaced apart from each other by an electrolyte flow path.