Redox Flow Battery Tank With Flexible Partition for Electrolyte Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Redox flow batteries face challenges in preventing electrolyte mixing between discharged and supplied electrolytes, leading to increased pressure loss and reduced battery capacity, while conventional configurations require extensive installation areas.
Innovation Solution
A redox flow battery design featuring a tank with a partitioned space divided into two areas, utilizing a flexible partition and a distribution mechanism with switching valves to manage electrolyte flow, preventing mixing and optimizing volume adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a long meandering pipe or spiral pipe is used to store electrolyte, then the battery capacity increases, but the pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is divided into first and second spaces by a partition portion, with the electrolyte storage path segmented into multiple sections. This segmentation allows the electrolyte to be distributed through multiple shorter paths rather than one long meandering pipe, reducing pressure loss while maintaining sufficient storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional long pipe configuration to a three-dimensional tank structure with partitioned spaces. The electrolyte storage is distributed throughout the tank volume rather than confined to a single long conduit, reducing flow path length and pressure loss while maintaining capacity.
2Reliability
If two positive electrolyte tanks and two negative electrolyte tanks are used to prevent electrolyte mixing, then electrolyte mixing is prevented, but the installation area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate electrolyte tanks into a single tank with partitioned spaces. The partition portion divides the internal space to prevent mixing, while the external footprint remains that of one tank, significantly reducing installation area compared to using two separate tanks for each electrode.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition portion is nested within the single tank structure, creating separate compartments without requiring additional external tanks. This nested configuration achieves the separation function of multiple tanks while maintaining a compact single-tank external form.
3Reliability
If a rigid partition is used to divide the tank, then electrolyte separation is ensured, but volume adjustment capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The partition portion is designed as a flexible membrane rather than a rigid structure, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and shape. This enables volume adjustment of the electrolyte storage spaces while maintaining separation, providing adaptability for different operating conditions and electrolyte volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition is implemented as a flexible membrane that can deform and adjust to changing volume requirements. This flexible film maintains electrolyte separation through its barrier function while allowing volume adjustments by changing its configuration in response to pressure differences or control mechanisms.
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 maintains battery capacity, reduces pressure loss, and minimizes installation area requirements by effectively managing electrolyte distribution and preventing mixing, thus enhancing charge and discharge efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the partition portion is composed of a flexible material
Data Source
AI summary
A redox flow battery includes a tank configured to store an electrolyte and a distribution mechanism to distribute the electrolyte to a battery cell. The tank has a partition portion partitioning a space inside the tank into a first space and a second space, the distribution mechanism has a distribution passage through which the electrolyte is distributed between the first space and the second space via the battery cell, and the partition portion is composed of a flexible material.