Integrated Flow Battery Heat Exchanger Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow battery systems face challenges with heat exchanger materials that corrode easily, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies, and the complexity of integrating heating fluid tubes within the battery stack.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a heat exchanger within the flow battery stack with heat exchanger plates featuring serpentine fluid passages and non-conductive materials, along with corrosion-resistant components, to efficiently manage temperature regulation without the need for external radiators or complex tube arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a radiator is used to exchange heat energy between ambient air and the anolyte/catholyte solution, then temperature regulation is achieved, but corrosion resistance is required which increases cost and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-corrosive intermediary fluid (such as water or glycol mixture) that circulates through the heat exchanger plates to transfer heat between the battery solutions and ambient air, preventing direct contact between corrosive battery solutions and the heat exchanger structure, thereby eliminating corrosion issues while maintaining effective temperature regulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional radiator mechanical system with an integrated heat exchanger system that uses thermal conduction through plates and convection through fluid passages, substituting the need for complex corrosion-resistant mechanical components with a simpler thermal transfer mechanism
2Temperature
If heating fluid tubes are arranged in the flow battery stack adjacent to flow battery cells, then heat exchange is achieved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat exchanger functionality directly into the flow battery stack structure by integrating heat exchanger plates with fluid passages into the existing stack assembly, combining multiple functions (battery operation and heat exchange) into a single unified structure, thereby eliminating the need for separate external heating fluid tubes and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger plates serve multiple functions: they act as structural components of the battery stack, provide thermal conduction paths for heat exchange, and contain fluid passages for coolant circulation, thereby achieving heat exchange functionality without adding separate dedicated components that would increase device complexity
3Temperature
If heating fluid tubes are arranged in the flow battery stack, then heat exchange is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat exchanger components with the battery stack components into a single integrated assembly, allowing for simplified manufacturing processes and reduced part counts, thereby lowering manufacturing costs compared to assembling separate battery stack and external heat exchange systems
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 temperature control, reduces material costs, and simplifies the flow battery stack design by integrating heat exchange functionality directly within the system, improving efficiency and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
Heat energy is exchanged between a heating fluid directed through the tubes and the anolyte and/or catholyte solutions provided to each cell
Implementation Method 2
A radiator, for example, may be connected inline between the flow battery stack and the anolyte and/or catholyte reservoir to exchange heat energy between ambient air and the anolyte and/or catholyte solution
Data Source
AI summary
A flow battery stack includes a plurality of flow battery cells, a manifold and a heat exchanger. Each flow battery cell includes an electrode layer that is wet by an electrolyte solution having a reversible redox couple reactant. The manifold includes a solution passage that exchanges the electrolyte solution with the flow battery cells. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchange fluid passage. The heat exchanger exchanges heat between the electrolyte solution in the solution passage and a heat exchange fluid directed through the heat exchange fluid passage. The flow battery cells, the manifold and the heat exchanger are arranged between first and second ends of the flow battery stack.