Metal Air Battery Oxygen Concentration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Metal air batteries face inefficiencies due to the need for compressed air supply, which can mechanically damage cells and reduce overall efficiency, and existing systems struggle to maintain optimal oxygen concentrations for optimal performance.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical battery system with an air supply unit that adjusts oxygen concentration in the air supplied to the battery module, using a control unit to maintain oxygen levels between 30% and 100% by removing nitrogen and moisture, and an oxygen generation unit that separates oxygen using methods like PSA or membrane filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If compressed air is supplied to the battery, then oxygen is provided for the electrochemical reaction, but mechanical damage to cells occurs and efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary component (oxygen) from the air supply system, eliminating the need for compressed air. An oxygen generation unit produces pure oxygen through water electrolysis, which is then supplied to the battery module, removing the harmful mechanical compression while maintaining adequate oxygen supply for electrochemical reactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical compressed air supply system with an electrochemical oxygen generation system. Instead of using mechanical compression to deliver air, the system uses electricity to split water and generate oxygen, which is then supplied to the battery, eliminating mechanical stress on the cells
2Productivity
If oxygen concentration is increased to improve battery performance, then energy efficiency improves, but oxygen concentration control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where oxygen concentration sensors continuously monitor the oxygen level in the air supply, and the control unit adjusts the oxygen generation unit's operation accordingly. This closed-loop control maintains optimal oxygen concentration (21-100%) for battery performance while automating the control process to manage system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the oxygen concentration parameter based on battery operating conditions. The control unit varies the oxygen generation rate and supply concentration according to real-time battery state, enabling optimal performance across different operating scenarios while maintaining manageable control through automated parameter adjustment
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 approach improves battery performance and lifespan by maintaining optimal oxygen concentrations, reducing mechanical stress on cells and enhancing energy efficiency, while also allowing for variable oxygen adjustment based on battery state parameters.
Implementation Method 1
an oxygen generation unit configured to generate oxygen by separating oxygen from the sucked-in air, wherein the oxygen generation unit is configured to filter oxygen via an adsorption/desorption method or a membrane method
Implementation Method 2
an oxygen generation unit configured to generate oxygen by separating oxygen from the sucked-in air, wherein the oxygen generation unit is configured to filter oxygen via an adsorption/desorption method or a membrane method
Implementation Method 3
A reduction/oxidation reaction of oxygen introduced from the outside occurs at the cathode, and an oxidation/reduction reaction of a metal occurs at the anode. The metal air battery changes chemical energy generated by the oxidation/reduction reaction into electrical energy
Data Source
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AI summary
A electrochemical battery including: a battery module including one or more metal air cells which use oxygen gas as a positive electrode active material; an air supply configured to supply air to the battery module and to adjust an oxygen concentration in air supplied to the battery module; and a control unit configured to control an oxygen concentration adjusting operation of the air supply unit. Also a method of operating the electrochemical battery including: supplying air to a battery module using an air supply unit, the battery module including one or more metal air cells which use oxygen in air as a positive electrode active material; and controlling the air supply unit to adjust an oxygen concentration in the air supplied to the battery module.