Hydrogen Blower Assembly for Compact Redox Flow Battery Pumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrogen pumping systems for redox flow batteries are bulky and inefficient, with commercially available pumps being too large for integration and introducing mechanical degradation and leakage due to the use of venturi injectors and liquid/gas separators, which also increase parasitic power load and system footprint.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen blower assembly with an impeller coupled to a driver is used to propel hydrogen gas within the redox flow battery system, allowing for controlled hydrogen flow with a smaller footprint and reduced power consumption, while keeping energized components separate from the hydrogen path to prevent ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If commercially available hydrogen pumps are used, then hydrogen transfer function is achieved, but device size becomes too large for integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical hydrogen pumps with a membrane-based hydrogen transfer system. Hydrogen gas diffuses through a selective membrane from the headspace to the electrolyte solution, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical pumping components while maintaining reliable hydrogen transfer function for the rebalancing reaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes gas diffusion through a membrane interface, where hydrogen gas phase on one side of the membrane transfers to the liquid electrolyte phase on the other side. This pneumatic-hydraulic interface approach enables compact hydrogen transfer without requiring large mechanical pump assemblies.
2Ease of operation
If venturi injectors and liquid/gas separators are used, then hydrogen injection and separation is achieved, but mechanical degradation and leakage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the venturi injector and liquid/gas separator components from the system. By using direct membrane-based hydrogen transfer, the system removes multiple mechanical interface points that were prone to degradation and leakage, simplifying the hydrogen management pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin membrane film as the hydrogen transfer interface. This continuous flexible barrier provides reliable hydrogen selectivity without the mechanical joints, seals, and moving parts found in venturi injectors and separators, thereby reducing degradation and leakage risks.
3Reliability
If dedicated liquid pump is used, then hydrogen pumping function is achieved, but parasitic power load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane-based hydrogen transfer system operates passively driven by the concentration gradient and partial pressure difference of hydrogen across the membrane. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for externally powered liquid pumps, significantly reducing parasitic power load while maintaining hydrogen transfer functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanically powered liquid pump with a passive membrane diffusion system. The hydrogen transfer is driven by thermodynamic gradients rather than mechanical work, eliminating the energy consumption associated with dedicated pumping operations.
4Ease of operation
If multiple components are used for hydrogen management, then hydrogen flow control is achieved, but system footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of hydrogen pumping, injection, and separation into a single integrated membrane interface. The membrane simultaneously performs hydrogen selective transfer from gas to liquid phases, consolidating multiple component functions into one compact element and reducing overall system footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane interface serves multiple functions: it acts as a hydrogen selective barrier, a phase interface for gas-liquid transfer, and a flow control element. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, minimizing the system footprint.
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
The hydrogen blower assembly effectively manages hydrogen flow within the redox flow battery system, reducing mechanical degradation, leakage, and parasitic power load, while maintaining efficient hydrogen delivery and system performance.
Implementation Method 1
A hydrogen blower assembly with an impeller coupled to a driver is used to propel hydrogen gas within the redox flow battery system
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for actively directing hydrogen flow in an electrochemical cell system. The electrochemical cell system includes a component configured to receive hydrogen gas, one or more hydrogen blower assemblies positioned upstream and/or downstream of the component. The one or more hydrogen blowers include at least one sensor positioned on an outer surface of the one or more hydrogen blower assemblies and a controller including instructions to generate a notification in response to an output of the at least one sensor being outside of a target range.