Redox Flow Battery Reactant Collection Frame for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional REDOX flow batteries and fuel batteries face challenges with reactant leakage due to internal pressure and sealing issues, leading to corrosion and increased maintenance costs, as existing sealing technologies like gaskets and O-rings deteriorate over time.
Innovation Solution
A reactant storing and collecting means is integrated inside or outside the battery stack, featuring collection channel penetration portions and a frame with main channel penetration holes and internal channel recesses to form a reactant collection channel, which prevents leakage by collecting and redirecting the reactant back through a predetermined path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing means (gasket, O-ring) are used to prevent electrolyte leakage, then the sealing function is provided initially, but the sealing reliability deteriorates over time due to breakdown and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the traditional gasket/O-ring components and relocates it to the frame structure itself through protrusions and recesses. The frame's geometric features create inherent sealing surfaces that prevent electrolyte leakage without relying on separate sealing components that degrade over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrolyte storage groove as an intermediary structure between the sealing surfaces. This groove captures and contains any electrolyte that might escape the primary sealing interface, preventing it from reaching and corroding external components while maintaining system integrity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electrolyte leakage is prevented using traditional sealing components, then leakage is inhibited initially, but maintenance costs increase due to periodic replacement of degraded sealing means
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure performs self-sealing through its integrated protrusion-recess geometry. The mechanical interlocking features automatically maintain sealing contact without requiring separate sealing components that need periodic replacement, making the system self-maintaining and reducing operational costs.
3Power
If the stack internal pressure is increased to improve power output, then the energy generation increases, but the risk of sealing breakdown and leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite sealing system combining rigid frame structures with flexible electrolyte storage grooves. This composite approach allows the rigid frame to withstand high internal pressures while the flexible groove adapts to pressure variations, maintaining sealing integrity across different operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A REDOX flow battery or fuel battery includes a reactant storing and collecting unit for preventing leakage of a reactant. The battery includes two end plates and a stack that is disposed between the end plates and includes one or more unit cells. The reactant storing and collecting unit for preventing leakage of a reactant is disposed inside or outside the stack. According to the present invention, sealing reliability of the REDOX battery or fuel battery is dramatically improved. In addition, although a reactant or a product leaks from the stack, the reactant or the product may not leak to an outside of the battery but is collected before leaking to the outside. Therefore, the battery according to the present invention has an advantage of easy maintenance.