Redox-Flow Cell Frame with Insulated Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical cell stacks face challenges with shunt currents, poor sealing, and non-homogeneous fluid distribution, leading to efficiency losses and potential for undesirable reactions, particularly in flow redox cells connected in parallel.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a frame for porous electrodes with specific channel configurations and sealings to limit shunt currents and ensure homogeneous fluid distribution, featuring supply and evacuation channels that increase electrical resistance and optimize fluid flow, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cells are fluidically connected in parallel to enable flow redox operation, then fluid distribution is simplified, but shunt currents increase causing efficiency loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate insulating element positioned between the collector plates and the electrochemical fluid. This intermediary component electrically isolates the conductive zones contacting the fluid, thereby blocking shunt current paths while preserving the parallel fluidic connection configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin film insulating coatings applied to the collector plates or frame surfaces that contact the electrochemical fluid. These thin film barriers provide electrical insulation without significantly affecting the fluid flow paths, effectively reducing shunt currents while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Reliability
If collector plate edges are left exposed to enable electrical connection, then electrical conductivity is maintained, but shunt currents increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different regions of the collector plates: the central active areas maintain electrical conductivity for current collection, while the peripheral edges contacting the fluid are covered with insulating materials. This local differentiation preserves necessary electrical connections while eliminating shunt current paths at the edges.
3Loss of energy
If frame complexity is increased to reduce shunt currents, then shunt current decreases, but manufacturing cost and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the insulating function directly into existing frame components or collector plates through coatings or molded-in insulating features, rather than adding separate insulating components. This merging of functions reduces the number of parts and simplifies assembly while effectively blocking shunt currents.
4Loss of energy
If insulating coating is added to collector plates to reduce shunt current, then shunt current decreases, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs cost-effective insulating materials such as standard polymer coatings or painted layers that can be applied through simple processes. These inexpensive insulating solutions provide sufficient shunt current reduction without requiring expensive specialized materials or complex application procedures.
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 effectively reduces shunt currents, enhances sealing, and ensures homogeneous fluid distribution, improving the efficiency and longevity of electrochemical cell stacks while minimizing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
the inlet channel (60, 61) comprising an orifice (62, 63) in the distal part (12, 52) opening onto a side face of the electrode (20, 30)... at least one, and preferably all, among the inlet channel (60, 61) and the outlet channel (80, 81) comprises an inlet (64, 67), respectively outlet (84, 87), leading to a supply channel (65, 66), respectively evacuation channel (85, 86), in the proximal part (14, 54) of frame (10, 50)
Implementation Method 2
a stack of electrochemical cells typically comprising the stacking of at least two electrochemical cell electrodes in general maintained in compression with each other, and separated from each other by a permeable ion exchange membrane
Implementation Method 3
flow redox electrochemical cells... the potential difference between the cells combined with conductive electrolytes leads to the formation of currents shunt between cells
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell comprising at least one frame of a porous electrochemical-cell electrode (20, 30), said electrode being intended to make contact with a membrane (40), said frame (10) being characterised in that: the frame (10, 50) comprises a proximal portion (14, 54) close to a membrane (40), and a distal portion (12, 52) distant from the membrane (40); the frame (10, 50) comprises a supply channel (65, 66) for supplying an electrochemical fluid and an inlet channel (60, 61) for a fluid supplying a lateral face of the electrode (20, 30), the inlet channel (60, 61) comprising an orifice (62, 63) in the distal portion (12, 52) opening onto a lateral face of the electrode (20, 30); the frame (10, 50) comprises a discharge channel (85, 86) for discharging an electrochemical fluid and an outlet channel (80, 81) through which the fluid exits via a lateral face of the electrode (20, 30), the outlet channel (80, 81) comprising an orifice (82, 83) in the distal portion (12, 52) opening onto a lateral face of the electrode (20, 30); at least one, and preferably both, of the inlet channel (60, 61) and outlet channel (80, 81) comprises an inlet orifice (64, 67) or outlet orifice (84, 87), respectively, opening onto a supply channel (65, 66) or discharge channel (85, 86), respectively, in the proximal portion (14, 54) of the frame (10).