Redox Flow Battery External Supply Line Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Redox flow batteries face challenges with leaks due to large sealing surfaces and increased frame area requirements, which can lead to electrical short-circuits and inefficient electrolyte distribution, especially in larger cell stacks.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple separate flow channels within the cell frame for supplying and removing electrolytes, allowing for uniform distribution and discharge without the need for extensive branching, thereby reducing the frame's sealing surface area and minimizing the risk of leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single flow channel is used in the cell frame, then the device complexity is reduced, but the electrolyte distribution becomes inefficient and the frame area must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel is divided into multiple separate flow channels (first flow channel and second flow channel) that are distributed across the cell frame. This segmentation allows electrolyte to be supplied through multiple pathways, improving distribution efficiency without requiring a larger frame area or more complex branching structures within the cell interior.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of branching flow channels in the planar dimension within the cell interior, the patent uses multiple separate flow channels arranged in different spatial positions. This dimensional approach allows efficient electrolyte distribution while keeping the frame area constant and avoiding complex internal branching.
2Productivity
If the cell frame area is increased to improve electrolyte distribution, then the sealing surface area increases, but the risk of leaks increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the flow distribution into multiple separate flow channels, the patent achieves efficient electrolyte distribution without increasing the overall cell frame area. This maintains the sealing surface area at acceptable levels, thereby preserving sealing reliability and reducing leak risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of flow channel configuration from a single channel to multiple channels, which improves electrolyte distribution efficiency without requiring an increase in frame area. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between distribution efficiency and sealing reliability.
3Productivity
If multiple separate flow channels are used, then the electrolyte distribution efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel system is segmented into multiple simple, separate flow channels rather than one complex branching channel. This segmentation improves electrolyte distribution efficiency while keeping each individual flow channel simple in structure, thereby avoiding excessive device complexity.
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 allows for efficient electrolyte distribution and discharge across the cell interior, reducing the risk of leaks and enabling the use of larger cell frames without compromising sealing, thus enhancing the reliability and scalability of redox flow batteries.
Implementation Method 1
The separator's function is to spatially and electrically isolate the cathode and anode of the electrochemical cell and must therefore be permeable to ions, which facilitate the conversion of stored chemical energy into electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
The electrochemical cell consists of two half-cells separated by a separator, such as a semipermeable membrane
Implementation Method 3
Redox reactions occur at both electrodes of the electrochemical cell, with electrons being released from the electrolyte at one electrode and absorbed at the other. The metallic and/or nonmetallic ions of the electrolytes form redox pairs and consequently generate a redox potential
Implementation Method 4
The electrolytes of the half-cells are pumped from a reservoir to a collection container via the supply and disposal lines
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A redox flow battery (1, 1') is presented and described, having at least one cell frame (4) surrounding a cell interior space (7) and having at least one supply line (2, 2') provided outside the cell frame (4) for supplying electrolyte to the cell interior space (7) and/or at least one disposal line (3, 3') provided outside the cell frame (4) for removing electrolyte from the cell interior space (4). In order to make greater degrees of freedom available in designing the cell so as to provide redox flow batteries with improved properties to the maximum extent possible, it is intended that the supply line (2, 2') for supplying electrolyte to the cell interior space (7) and/or the disposal line (3, 3') for removing electrolyte from the cell interior space (7) is in fluidic contact with the cell interior space (7) via a plurality of separate flow channels (8, 14) in the cell frame (4).