Redox Flow Battery Membrane Compression Without Intermediate Films
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of intermediate films in redox flow batteries to prevent electrode-membrane contact leads to increased internal resistance and reduced productivity, as they are necessary to prevent membrane damage, which can occur due to piercing by the electrodes.
Innovation Solution
The thickness of the membrane and the compression ratio of the electrodes are optimized to prevent membrane damage without additional protective members, ensuring the membrane is not excessively thin and the electrodes are not excessively compressed, thereby maintaining electrical conductivity and reducing internal resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intermediate films are provided to prevent electrode-membrane contact, then membrane damage is prevented, but internal resistance increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate film component from the battery structure by optimizing the membrane thickness and electrode compression ratio parameters. This extraction of the protective member eliminates the associated productivity losses and internal resistance increases while maintaining membrane protection through proper parameter control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing specific ranges for membrane thickness (5-50 μm) and electrode compression ratio (20-85%). These parameter optimizations enable the membrane to withstand electrode contact without requiring intermediate films, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
2Loss of energy
If membrane thickness is reduced to lower internal resistance, then internal resistance decreases, but membrane becomes more susceptible to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the membrane thickness parameter within a specific range (5-50 μm) that balances electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. This parameter optimization allows the membrane to be thin enough to reduce internal resistance while remaining thick enough to resist electrode piercing, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and reliability.
3Loss of energy
If electrode compression ratio is increased to improve electrical conductivity, then electrical conductivity increases, but membrane damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes an optimized range for electrode compression ratio (20-85%) that balances electrical conductivity and mechanical pressure on the membrane. Within this range, the electrodes achieve sufficient conductivity while the membrane thickness is adequate to withstand the compressive forces, preventing piercing damage.
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 approach prevents membrane damage, allows for easier production and handling, reduces internal resistance, and enhances electrical conductivity, without the need for additional protective members.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane interposed between these electrodes, and intermediate films that are disposed on surfaces of the membrane and allow hydrogen ions to pass therethrough
Implementation Method 2
redox flow battery (RF battery) in PTL 1 includes positive and negative electrodes formed from graphite felt
Data Source
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AI summary
A redox flow battery includes: a membrane; and electrodes that are disposed in a compressed state on both sides of the membrane and sandwich the membrane. The thickness x (µm) of the membrane and the compression ratio y (%) of the electrodes satisfy the following relation A or B: (A) when the electrodes are formed from carbon felt, y < x + 60, 30 ≤ y ≤ 85, and 5 ≤ x ≤ 60 hold; (B) when the electrodes are formed from carbon cloth or carbon paper, y < 1.2x + 42, 10 ≤ y ≤ 85, and 5 ≤ x ≤ 60 hold, where y = {1- (the thickness during compression / the thickness before compression)} × 100.