Flow Battery State of Charge via Mass Distribution Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining the state of charge in flow batteries are inaccurate due to voltage measurement limitations and efficiency losses, which are affected by factors like age, temperature, and discharge rate, and do not account for mass redistribution during charging and discharging.
Innovation Solution
The use of mass distribution measurements, including weight and pressure differences within the electrolyte reservoir, to determine the state of charge, which is unaffected by efficiency losses and can be measured continuously without disrupting charge or discharge processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If voltage measurement methods are used to determine state of charge, then the measurement can be performed continuously, but the accuracy is reduced due to efficiency losses and operational factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical voltage measurement with mechanical mass measurement using scales or load cells. This substitution eliminates the influence of electrical efficiency losses, temperature effects, and discharge rate variations that plague voltage-based methods. The mass measurement directly reflects the actual charge stored in the electrolyte without being affected by operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mass as an intermediary physical quantity to indirectly determine state of charge. Instead of measuring electrical properties that are affected by multiple factors, the system measures mass (which directly correlates to electrolyte charge content) and uses this as a mediator to accurately determine state of charge, bypassing the problematic electrical measurement path.
2Measurement precision
If mass distribution measurement is implemented, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and measurement systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the existing mass of the electrolyte reservoir and electrochemical cells as the measurement object itself. The electrolyte's own mass serves as the indicator of charge state, eliminating the need for complex chemical sensors or electrical measurement circuits. The scale or load cell simply measures the inherent mass without requiring the electrolyte to perform additional functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the mass measurement function from the complex electrical measurement system. By separating the state of charge determination from electrical voltage measurement and using independent mass measurement, the system removes the complexity of compensating for efficiency losses, temperature effects, and other operational variables while maintaining continuous monitoring capability.
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 method provides an accurate and continuous measurement of the state of charge, unaffected by efficiency losses or operational factors, allowing for precise energy storage monitoring and management in flow batteries.
Implementation Method 1
a first pressure sensor located in a lower portion of the reservoir and a second pressure sensor located in an upper portion of the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
at least one of a scale, a first pressure sensor located in a lower portion of the reservoir and a second pressure sensor located in an upper portion of the reservoir or at least one strain gauge or load cell configured to measure a change a weight of the at least one electrochemical cell
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochemical device includes at least one electrochemical cell having an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, a reservoir configured to store an electrolyte and a mass distribution measuring device. The mass distribution measuring device includes at least one of a scale, a first pressure sensor located in a lower portion of the reservoir and a second pressure sensor located in an upper portion of the reservoir, or at least one strain gauge or load cell configured to measure a change a weight of the at least one electrochemical cell.