Recombinator Catalyst Protection via Gas Phase Bromine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art recombinators for flowing electrolyte batteries face limitations in hydrogen ion return efficiency due to low bromine availability and catalyst contamination issues, leading to suboptimal pH regulation and performance.
Innovation Solution
A recombinator design with a housing containing a catalyst in a reaction chamber where gaseous bromine and hydrogen sources are converted to hydrogen bromide, utilizing a bromine evaporator to ensure sufficient bromine concentration and a zinc electrolyte pump to manage pressure and flow, preventing liquid catalyst contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a catalyst is used to accelerate hydrogen and bromine reaction in a prior art recombinator, then the reaction rate increases, but the catalyst becomes contaminated with liquid electrolyte and degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a porous substrate as an intermediary between the catalyst and the liquid electrolyte. The substrate supports the catalyst particles while preventing direct contact with liquid bromine and electrolyte, thus maintaining catalyst activity without degradation from liquid contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a porous substrate structure that acts as a protective barrier, allowing gas phase reactants to access the catalyst while blocking liquid electrolyte from reaching and contaminating the catalyst surface.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bromine concentration is kept low in the electrolyte to reduce vapour pressure, then safety improves, but the reaction rate in the recombinator decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of bromine from liquid/dissolved phase to gas phase by introducing it as bromine vapor. This allows high bromine concentration to be achieved in the gas phase for rapid reaction while maintaining low bromine content in the liquid electrolyte to control vapour pressure and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates bromine delivery into a different dimension - instead of relying on bromine dissolved in liquid electrolyte, bromine is supplied as vapor in the gas phase, creating an independent concentration pathway that does not affect liquid electrolyte composition.
3Productivity
If the recombinator processes gaseous hydrogen and bromine efficiently, then pH regulation improves, but the risk of catalyst contamination with liquid increases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous substrate acts as a protective barrier that allows efficient gas phase reaction while preventing liquid electrolyte from reaching and contaminating the catalyst, thus maintaining both high pH regulation efficiency and catalyst integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous substrate serves as an intermediary structure that facilitates the desired gas phase reaction while simultaneously providing protection against the harmful liquid phase contamination, enabling both efficient pH regulation and catalyst preservation.
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
Enhances pH regulation and extends battery efficiency and operational lifetime by ensuring adequate bromine availability and preventing catalyst contamination, maintaining optimal pH levels and reducing catalyst degradation.
Implementation Method 1
a catalyst within the reaction chamber to catalyse the formation of hydrogen bromide from the halogen source and the hydrogen source
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a bromine evaporator to ensure sufficient bromine concentration
Implementation Method 3
a zinc electrolyte pump to manage pressure and flow
Data Source
AI summary
A recombinator for a flowing electrolyte battery comprises a housing defining a reaction chamber for receiving a halogen source and a hydrogen source. A catalyst is located within the reaction chamber to catalyze the formation of hydrogen halide from the halogen source and the hydrogen source and substantially all of the halogen source, hydrogen source and hydrogen halide within the reaction chamber are maintained in gaseous form.