Magnetic Field Stabilization for Liquid Electrode Energy Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrochemical cells with liquid electrodes face challenges in scaling due to Tayler instability, which can lead to short circuits and reduced energy storage density, especially when high currents are applied, making them inefficient and costly for large-scale energy storage.

Innovation Solution

An energy storage arrangement using electrochemical cells with a magnetic field generation structure external to the cell, which stabilizes the liquid components and prevents Tayler instability by generating a magnetic field that penetrates the cell, allowing for higher current densities and increased energy storage density without complex internal structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If high charging current and/or discharging current is applied to electrochemical cells with liquid components, then power and energy storage capacity are improved, but Tayler instability occurs leading to reduced reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging current and discharging currentVSAvoidfunctional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A magnetic field generating structure is introduced as an intermediary between the electric current and the liquid components. This structure generates a magnetic field that stabilizes the liquid components during high current operation, preventing Tayler instability while allowing high power operation. The magnetic field acts as a mediator that enables high current flow without directly causing instability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the system by introducing a magnetic field (a new physical parameter) that was not present in the conventional electrochemical cell. This parameter change stabilizes the liquid components and allows the system to operate at higher currents without instability, effectively expanding the operational parameter space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If electrochemical cells are scaled to large volumes to increase energy storage density, then productivity is improved, but structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage densityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic field generating structure is designed as a separate, modular component positioned outside the electrochemical cell. This segmentation allows the energy storage cell to be scaled independently without complicating the internal structure, as the magnetic field generation function is separated into an external module that can be configured for different cell sizes and arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The external magnetic field generating structure serves multiple functions: it stabilizes liquid components during operation, enables high current operation, and can be configured to work with multiple electrochemical cells simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate stabilization mechanisms for each cell.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional electrochemical cell structures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but energy storage density is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidenergy storage density
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic field generating structure acts as an external intermediary that enables high energy storage density without requiring complex internal cell structures. By placing the magnetic field generation function outside the cell, the internal cell structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, while the external structure enables enhanced performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enables the use of electrochemical cells for high-energy storage with reduced risk of instability, allowing for larger sizes and higher currents while maintaining cost-effectiveness and simple design, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional cells.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic field generating structure arranged outside of an outer circumference of the at least one electrochemical cell for generating a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field generating structure is set up in such a way that the magnetic field generated penetrates the at least one electrochemical cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

the electric current (the charging current and / or the discharging current) for charging and / or discharging the electrochemical cell does not affect the functionality of the electrical cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTayler instability: Rayleigh-Taylor Instability

Data Source

PatentEP3069400B1Energy storage arrangement, use thereof, and energy storage cell arrangement
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 HELMHOLTZ ZENTRUM DRESDEN ROSSENDORF
  • EP3069400B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3069400B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP3069400B1 patent drawingFigure 1E~1F

AI summary

According to various embodiments, the invention relates to of an energy storage arrangement that can include the following: at least one electrochemical cell comprising an anode that is liquid during operation, an electrolyte that is liquid during operation, and a cathode that is liquid during operation; a magnetic field-generating structure for generating a magnetic field, said structure being located outside the at least one electrochemical cell and being designed in such a way that the magnetic field generated penetrates the at least one electrochemical cell.