Lignin-Derived Redox Flow Battery Electrolytes With Lower Toxicity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing redox flow batteries face challenges with high costs, reliance on toxic and scarce inorganic redox materials, and safety risks, limiting their widespread deployment, especially for large-scale energy storage applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel organic redox active species derived from lignin, which are inexpensive, highly soluble, and exhibit fast electrode kinetics, using lignin-derived compounds as electrolytes in redox flow batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If inorganic redox materials (vanadium salts, bromine) are used in redox flow batteries, then energy storage capacity is achieved, but toxicity and environmental risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter from inorganic redox materials (vanadium salts, bromine) to organic redox-active compounds derived from lignin. This parameter change maintains the energy storage function while eliminating toxicity concerns associated with inorganic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs lignin-derived organic compounds that are inexpensive and can be readily replaced. These organic electrolytes serve as disposable or easily renewable components, eliminating the need for expensive precious metal electrocatalysts and toxic inorganic materials.
2Productivity
If precious-metal electrocatalysts are used in redox flow batteries, then electrochemical reaction efficiency is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive precious-metal electrocatalysts with inexpensive organic compounds derived from lignin. These lignin-derived electrolytes provide the necessary electrochemical activity without requiring costly catalysts, making the system economically viable for large-scale deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The organic redox-active compounds derived from lignin inherently possess the electrochemical properties needed for the reaction. The system uses the lignin-derived compounds themselves as both electrolyte and active species, eliminating the need for separate precious-metal catalysts.
3Quantity of substance
If inorganic redox materials are used in distributed modular energy generation, then energy storage is achieved, but safety risks (overheating, fire, explosion) increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition from inorganic redox materials to organic lignin-derived compounds. This parameter change fundamentally alters the safety profile, replacing materials prone to overheating, fire, and explosion with organic compounds that have inherently safer thermal and chemical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the typically problematic organic nature of compounds into a benefit. While organic materials were traditionally considered less stable, the specific lignin-derived organic compounds used here provide both the required energy storage capability and enhanced safety, eliminating the hazards associated with inorganic materials.
4Reliability
If conventional redox flow battery materials are used, then energy storage functionality is achieved, but cost and toxicity limit widespread deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive lignin-derived organic compounds that can be produced at low cost from abundant biomass resources. These materials replace expensive conventional electrolytes and catalysts, enabling cost-effective large-scale energy storage systems that can be widely deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material source from mined inorganic resources (vanadium, bromine, precious metals) to renewable organic resources (lignin from biomass). This parameter change in material origin simultaneously reduces cost, eliminates toxicity, and provides a sustainable supply chain for widespread deployment.
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 lignin-derived compounds provide a safe, efficient, and cost-effective solution for large-scale energy storage, enhancing energy density and reducing toxicity, thus enabling broader utilization of renewable energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
Redox reactions are employed to store energy in the form of a chemical potential in liquid electrolyte solutions which flow through a battery of electrochemical cells during charge and discharge. The stored electrochemical energy can be converted to electrical energy upon discharge with concomitant reversal of the opposite redox reactions.
Implementation Method 2
During discharge, electrons are released via an oxidation reaction from a high chemical potential state on the anode of the battery and subsequently move through an external circuit.
Implementation Method 3
Finally, the electrons are accepted via a reduction reaction at a lower chemical potential state on the cathode of the battery.
Implementation Method 4
RFBs usually include a positive electrode (cathode) and a negative electrode (anode) in separated cells and separated by an ion-exchange membrane, and two circulating electrolyte solutions, positive and negative electrolyte flow streams
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to novel lignin-derived compounds and compositions comprising the same and their use as redox flow battery electrolytes. The invention further provides a method for preparing said compounds and compositions as well as a redox flow battery comprising said compounds and compositions. Additionally, an assembly for carrying out the inventive method is provided.