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 utilizing halogen components and metal halide electrolytes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A flow battery design incorporating a sealed pressure vessel with a stack of electrochemical cells, a reservoir for metal-halide electrolyte and liquefied halogen reactant, and a flow circuit that delivers these components between the reservoir and the cells, eliminating the need for compressors and separate storage, and utilizing impermeable and permeable metal electrodes with conductive spacers to maintain electrolyte flow and electrical continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional flow battery designs are used with separate storage and compressors, then the system can store energy, but the device complexity and capital cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the storage reservoir and electrochemical cells into a single integrated pressure vessel, eliminating separate storage components and compressors. The metal halide electrolyte and liquefied halogen reactant coexist in the same vessel, with the flow circuit delivering components directly between reservoir and cells, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining uninterrupted power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure vessel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the storage reservoir and the housing for electrochemical cells, eliminating the need for separate storage containers and compressors. This multi-functional design reduces capital costs and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining energy storage capability.
2Reliability
If impermeable metal electrodes are used, then electrical continuity is maintained, but electrolyte flow may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode design incorporates different permeability characteristics in different regions: impermeable metal electrodes provide electrical continuity in areas requiring electron transfer, while permeable metal electrodes allow electrolyte flow in areas requiring mass transport. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between maintaining electrical contact and enabling electrolyte flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs permeable metal electrodes with controlled porosity to allow electrolyte penetration while maintaining structural integrity and electrical conductivity. The porous structure enables simultaneous achievement of electrical continuity and electrolyte flow, with the pore size and distribution optimized for both electron and ion transport requirements.
3Quantity of substance
If metal halide electrolyte with liquefied halogen reactant is used, then energy storage capacity increases, but chlorine bubble formation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pressure and temperature parameter control to maintain the halogen reactant in a liquefied state within the pressure vessel, preventing bubble formation. By operating within specific pressure-temperature conditions, the system achieves high energy storage capacity with metal halide electrolyte and liquefied halogen reactant while eliminating the harmful effects of gas bubble formation during circulation.
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 provides uninterrupted power supply by maintaining electrical contact and preventing chlorine bubble formation, while eliminating the need for compressors and separate storage, thus addressing the challenges of capital costs and cycle life.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochemical cell configured to transform chemical energy to electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
a flow circuit configured to deliver the halogen reactant and the metal-halide electrolyte between the reservoir and the stack of electrochemical cells
Data Source
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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.