Internally Manifolded Flow Cell Stack for All-Iron Hybrid Battery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid flow batteries face energy losses and imbalances due to shunt currents when multiple cells are hydraulically connected through electrically conductive electrolytes, causing voltage differences between cells.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an internally manifolded flow cell stack with separate electrolyte inlet and outlet ports for each sub-stack, along with a polymeric frame design that increases the length and reduces the cross-sectional area of electrolyte flow paths, minimizes shunt currents by managing voltage differences between cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple flow cells are hydraulically connected through electrically conductive electrolytes, then the battery can store more energy through parallel cell configuration, but shunt currents flow through the electrolyte circulation path causing energy losses and voltage imbalances between cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery into multiple independent sub-stacks, each with its own separate electrolyte circulation path. This segmentation prevents shunt currents from flowing between cells by isolating the electrolyte flow in each sub-stack, while still allowing multiple cells to be connected in parallel for increased energy storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces separate electrolyte inlet and outlet ports for each sub-stack as intermediary components. These ports act as mediators that control and separate the electrolyte flow paths, preventing direct electrical connection through the electrolyte between cells while maintaining hydraulic connectivity within each sub-stack.
2Productivity
If multiple flow cells are hydraulically connected through electrically conductive electrolytes, then the battery can operate in parallel configuration for higher current output, but voltage differences between cells cause imbalances in individual charge states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery into independent sub-stacks with separate electrolyte circulation, which isolates the voltage and charge state of each sub-stack. This prevents voltage differences from causing charge state imbalances across the entire battery while still allowing high current output through parallel connection of multiple sub-stacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The separate electrolyte inlet and outlet ports for each sub-stack serve as intermediaries that maintain independent charge states. By controlling electrolyte flow separately for each sub-stack, the system prevents voltage differences from propagating between cells, thereby maintaining charge state balance while enabling high current production.
3Loss of energy
If separate electrolyte inlet and outlet ports are provided for each sub-stack with increased flow path length and reduced cross-sectional area, then shunt currents are minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple flow path functions into a unified sub-stack structure. By integrating the electrolyte circulation system at the sub-stack level rather than at the individual cell level, the design reduces overall complexity while still achieving separate flow paths that minimize shunt currents.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymeric frame structure itself provides the flow path configuration with appropriate length and cross-sectional area characteristics. The frame design inherently creates the necessary flow resistance to minimize shunt currents without requiring additional external components or complex control 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 reduces shunt current losses and enhances the overall performance of the battery by maintaining balanced charge states across cells, thereby increasing energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrolyte inlet flow path located within the polymeric frame and coupled to the first electrolyte inlet; and a first electrolyte outlet flow path located within the polymeric frame and coupled to the first electrolyte outlet
Implementation Method 2
The reduction-oxidation (redox) flow battery is an electrochemical storage device that stores energy in a chemical form and converts the stored chemical energy to an electrical form via spontaneous reverse redox reactions
Implementation Method 3
The membrane barrier separates the positive electrolyte and negative electrolyte from mixing while allowing ionic conductance
Implementation Method 4
Fe2++2e−FeO (Negative/Plating Electrode)
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a system for a flow cell for a flow battery, comprising: a first flow field; and a polymeric frame, comprising: a top face; a bottom face, opposite the top face; a first side; a second side, opposite the first side; a first electrolyte inlet located on the top face and the first side of the polymeric frame; a first electrolyte outlet located on the top face and the second side of the polymeric frame; a first electrolyte inlet flow path located within the polymeric frame and coupled to the first electrolyte inlet; and a first electrolyte outlet flow path located within the polymeric frame and coupled to the first electrolyte outlet. In this way, shunt currents may be minimized by increasing the length and/or reducing the cross-sectional area of the electrolyte inlet and electrolyte outlet flow paths.