Redox Flow Battery Bypass Circuit for Shunt Current Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In redox flow batteries, shunt currents occur due to potential gradients when cells are connected in series, leading to inefficiencies and requiring all cell stacks to be stopped for maintenance or inspection, and voltage adjustments are not feasible without disconnecting entire circuits.
Innovation Solution
A redox flow battery design with individual circulation passages for each cell stack and bypass circuits allows for selective disconnection of cell stacks from the series circuit, reducing shunt currents and enabling continuous operation of other stacks while allowing voltage adjustments without stopping all stacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If cells are electrically connected in series to obtain predetermined electric output, then the electric output is improved, but shunt current flows through the electrolyte passage causing energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple independent cell stacks, each with its own circulation passage. This segmentation allows individual control of each stack while maintaining series electrical connection, enabling selective disconnection to prevent shunt current without affecting the entire system's power output capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Individual circulation passages act as intermediaries between the electrolyte reservoir and each cell stack. By controlling electrolyte flow through these intermediate passages, the system can isolate specific stacks to prevent shunt current while maintaining overall series circuit operation for power output.
2Power
If all cell stacks are connected in series circuit, then the voltage output is improved, but maintenance or inspection of any cell stack requires stopping all cell stacks
Solution Approach 1:
Each cell stack is equipped with individual circulation passages and control mechanisms, segmenting the maintenance operations from the overall system. This allows one stack to be isolated for maintenance while other stacks continue to operate in the series circuit, maintaining voltage output during maintenance activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous operation of the battery by allowing maintenance on individual cell stacks without interrupting the operation of other stacks. The series circuit maintains voltage output continuously while specific stacks can be serviced, ensuring uninterrupted useful action of the overall system.
3Ease of repair
If cell stacks are electrically disconnected for maintenance, then maintenance operation is enabled, but the other cell stacks cannot be continuously operated
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system is segmented into individual passages for each cell stack, allowing independent control of electrolyte flow to each stack. This enables electrical disconnection of a single stack for maintenance while other stacks remain connected and operational, maintaining overall system productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures the electrical connections and electrolyte circulation paths based on operational needs. When maintenance is required on a specific stack, the system dynamically isolates that stack while maintaining operational stacks in the series circuit, enabling both ease of repair and continuous productivity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If bypass circuits and switches are added for each cell stack, then selective disconnection is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass circuitry is segmented and distributed to each cell stack individually rather than implementing a centralized complex switching system. Each stack has its own simple bypass mechanism, which collectively provides system-wide selective disconnection capability while keeping individual components simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass circuit and switch assembly designed for one cell stack can be universally applied to all cell stacks in the system. This modular universal design reduces overall device complexity by using standardized components across multiple stacks rather than designing unique complex control systems for each stack.
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 reduces shunt currents, allows continuous operation of other cell stacks during maintenance, and enables voltage adjustments without the need for additional devices like DC/DC converters.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one cell is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber by a membrane
Implementation Method 2
a first electrolyte circulates in the first chamber, and a second electrolyte circulates in the second chamber
Implementation Method 3
a redox flow battery includes at least one series circuit in which at least two or more cell stacks each including at least one cell
Data Source
AI summary
A redox flow battery includes a series circuit having two or more cell stacks electrically connected in series. Each of the two or more cell stacks includes a cell stack input terminal and a cell stack output terminal. Each of the two or more cell stacks is provided with a bypass circuit that electrically bypasses the cell stack. Each of the bypass circuits includes a bypass circuit input terminal and a bypass circuit output terminal. The redox flow battery includes an input switch that, with respect to each of the two or more cell stacks, switches between the cell stack input terminal and the bypass circuit input terminal and an output switch that, with respect to each of the two or more cell stacks, switches between the cell stack output terminal and the bypass circuit output terminal.