Redox Flow Battery Cell with Interdigitated Bipolar Plate Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Redox flow batteries face challenges in achieving high battery performance due to high internal resistance, which limits their efficiency in storing electricity from new energy sources like solar and wind power.
Innovation Solution
The battery cell design features thin electrodes and interdigitated flow channels on the bipolar plates, along with a specific thickness configuration for the cell frames and electrodes, to reduce internal resistance and enhance electrolyte distribution, resulting in improved battery performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional battery cell structures are used, then structural stability is maintained, but internal resistance is high and battery performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the thickness of bipolar plates (3-10 mm) and electrodes (0.5-3 mm) to reduce internal resistance. By changing these dimensional parameters within specific ranges, the battery achieves lower internal resistance and improved performance while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating interdigitated flow channels with different thicknesses on the bipolar plate surfaces. The first flow channel thickness (0.5-5 mm) differs from the second flow channel thickness (0.5-5 mm), allowing optimized electrolyte distribution in different regions to reduce local resistance and improve overall battery performance.
2Strength
If electrode thickness is increased, then structural stability is improved, but internal resistance increases and battery performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by establishing optimal thickness ranges: bipolar plates of 3-10 mm and electrodes of 0.5-3 mm. These parameter ranges balance structural strength requirements with electrical performance needs, achieving both stability and low internal resistance simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by creating interdigitated flow channels with controlled thicknesses (0.5-5 mm) on the bipolar plate surfaces. This adds a vertical dimension to electrolyte flow paths, improving distribution efficiency without increasing electrode thickness, thus maintaining structural stability while reducing resistance.
3Reliability
If conventional flow channel designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but electrolyte distribution is inefficient and internal resistance remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the bipolar plate surface into multiple flow channels with different thicknesses. The interdigitated pattern creates separate first and second flow channels (each 0.5-5 mm thick) that independently distribute electrolyte to different electrode regions, improving distribution efficiency while maintaining manufacturability through standardized channel geometries.
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
The design achieves low internal resistance and high battery performance by ensuring efficient electrolyte distribution across the electrodes, leading to better charge-discharge capabilities and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
a battery cell 100 divided into a positive electrode cell 102 and a negative electrode cell 103 by a proton-permeable membrane 101
Implementation Method 2
interdigitated flow channels on the bipolar plates... to reduce internal resistance and enhance electrolyte distribution
Implementation Method 3
The RF battery is charged or discharged using the oxidation-reduction potential difference between ions contained in a positive electrolyte and ions contained in a negative electrolyte
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery cell having high battery performance is provided. The battery cell for a flow battery includes a cell frame including a frame including a through-window and a manifold serving as an electrolyte flow path, and a bipolar plate blocking the through-window; a positive electrode disposed on one surface side of the bipolar plate; and a negative electrode disposed on another surface side of the bipolar plate. In this battery cell, in the frame, a thickness of a portion in which the manifold is formed is defined as Ft; in the bipolar plate, a thickness of a portion blocking the through-window is defined as Bt; in the positive electrode, a thickness of a portion facing the bipolar plate is defined as Pt; in the negative electrode, a thickness of a portion facing the bipolar plate is defined as Nt; and these thicknesses satisfy Ft ≥ 4 mm, Bt ≥ Ft - 3.0 mm, Pt ≤ 1.5 mm, and Nt ≤ 1.5 mm.