Hydrogen-Based Redox Flow Battery Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flow batteries, particularly all-vanadium flow batteries, are hindered by high costs, with the vanadium electrolyte accounting for over 30% of the overall cost, making the technology not yet viable due to high costs and limited scalability.
Innovation Solution
A flow cell battery design utilizing an ion exchange membrane with an anolyte containing hydrogen gas and a catholyte that can be reversibly hydrogenated and dehydrogenated, such as oxalic acid, allowing for efficient ion exchange and regeneration without electrolyte degradation, reducing storage costs and improving performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all-vanadium electrolyte is used in flow batteries, then the battery can store electrical energy as chemical energy, but the electrolyte cost accounts for over 30% of the overall cost, making the technology not yet viable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive all-vanadium electrolyte with cheaper alternatives such as iron-based, zinc-based, or magnesium-based electrolytes. These cheaper electrolytes achieve similar energy storage functionality without the high cost associated with vanadium, directly addressing the cost issue while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte from vanadium-based to alternative metals (iron, zinc, magnesium). This parameter change maintains the electrochemical energy storage function while significantly reducing material cost, resolving the contradiction between reliability and cost
2Duration of action of moving object
If traditional flow battery electrolytes are used, then energy can be stored and released, but the electrolyte degrades over time, increasing storage costs and limiting scalability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs stable, non-degradable electrolyte compositions such as iron salts, zinc salts, or magnesium salts that resist degradation over time. These alternatives replace traditional electrolytes that degrade, thereby reducing long-term storage costs and enabling scalable applications while maintaining durable energy storage duration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a chemically stable electrolyte environment using inert or stable salt solutions (iron, zinc, magnesium-based) that resist degradation and unwanted reactions. This stable chemical environment prevents electrolyte breakdown, extending operational duration and reducing replacement costs
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 proposed flow cell battery achieves improved efficiency and reduced storage costs by preventing electrolyte degradation and enabling easy ion handling between gas and liquid phases, making it a more viable and cost-effective energy storage solution compared to traditional flow batteries.
Implementation Method 1
The ion exchange membrane is configured to allow ions to pass between the first channel and the second channel
Implementation Method 2
oxidize the anolyte and reduce the catholyte; and generating an electric current
Implementation Method 3
the catholyte includes a compound that can be reversibly hydrogenated and dehydrogenated
Implementation Method 4
A flow battery is an energy storage technology that stores electrical energy as chemical energy in flowing solutions, and converts and releases it in a controlled manner when required
Data Source
AI summary
Flow cell batteries and methods of producing an electric current are provided. In some implementations, a flow cell battery includes an electrochemical cell including an ion exchange membrane, an anode current collector, and a cathode current collector. The space between the ion exchange membrane and the anode current collector forms a first channel and the space between the ion exchange membrane and the cathode current collector forms a second channel. The ion exchange membrane is configured to allow ions to pass between the first and second channel. The battery includes a first tank configured to flow an anolyte through the first channel, wherein the anolyte is hydrogen gas. The battery includes a second tank configured to flow a catholyte through the second channel, wherein the catholyte is a compound that can be reversibly hydrogenated and dehydrogenated. The flow cell battery can be used to generate electric current.