Metal Air Battery Buffer Tank for Uniform Air Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Metal air batteries face performance variations due to inconsistent air supply from compressors, which can reduce energy density and lifetime due to impurities like H2O and CO2 in the air used for oxygen reduction reactions.
Innovation Solution
A metal air battery system with a buffer tank that uniformly supplies compressed air to multiple small air purification modules, using a dispersion plate to distribute air evenly and a combination of adsorption towers for efficient air purification, employing materials like zeolite, alumina, or metal-organic frameworks to remove impurities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a compressor is used to supply air to the air purification module, then air can be supplied to the metal air battery, but air pressure and air flow rate vary according to compressor operating characteristics, causing performance variation in the metal air battery
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer tank stores compressed air in advance, decoupling the air supply from the compressor's instantaneous output. This preliminary storage action allows the system to maintain consistent air flow rate and pressure to the air purification module regardless of compressor operating variations, thereby ensuring stable metal air battery performance.
2Quantity of substance
If air is supplied to the metal air battery, then oxygen is available for the cathode reaction, but impurities such as H2O and CO2 interrupt metal peroxide generation, reducing capacity and lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The air purification module acts as an intermediary between the compressed air supply and the metal air battery cathode. It selectively removes harmful impurities (H2O, CO2) from the air stream while allowing oxygen to pass through, thus protecting the metal peroxide generation process from interruption and extending battery lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The air purification module employs porous adsorbent materials that selectively adsorb impurity molecules (H2O, CO2) from the compressed air stream. The porous structure allows oxygen molecules to pass through while trapping impurities, ensuring clean oxygen supply to the cathode for uninterrupted metal peroxide generation.
3Reliability
If multiple air purification modules are used, then air purification efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air purification system is segmented into multiple independent air purification modules that can be arranged in parallel or series configurations. Each module handles a portion of the air flow or performs a specific purification function, allowing the system to achieve high purification efficiency while maintaining modular simplicity for ease of assembly and maintenance.
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 stabilizes air supply, enhances energy density, and extends the battery's lifetime by maintaining consistent performance and improving the efficiency of oxygen-rich air delivery to the battery cell module.
Implementation Method 1
a buffer tank arranged between the compressed air supply unit and the plurality of air purification modules, and configured to receive compressed air from the compressed air supply unit and to supply it to the plurality of air purification modules
Implementation Method 2
a combination of adsorption towers for efficient air purification, employing materials like zeolite, alumina, or metal-organic frameworks to remove impurities
Implementation Method 3
a battery cell module configured to generate electricity by oxidation of a metal and reduction of oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
A metal air battery system includes: a battery cell module configured to generate electricity by oxidation of a metal and reduction of oxygen; a plurality of air purification modules in fluid communication with the battery cell module; a compressed air supply unit configured to supply compressed air to the plurality of air purification modules; and a buffer tank disposed between the compressed air supply unit and the plurality of air purification modules, and configured to receive compressed air from the compressed air supply unit and to supply the compressed air to the plurality of air purification modules, wherein a bottom portion of the buffer tank includes a plurality of holes, and a hole of the plurality of holes corresponds to an inlet of an air purification module in the plurality of air purification modules, and the hole is directly connected to the corresponding inlet of the air purification module.