Redox Flow Battery Electrolyte Impurity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Redox flow batteries experience performance degradation due to precipitate formation from impurity element ions, which is not fully identified or controlled in existing electrolytes, leading to reduced battery output and capacity.
Innovation Solution
An electrolyte for redox flow batteries with a total concentration of impurity element ions contributing to precipitate generation set at 220 mass ppm or less, specifically limiting metal and non-metal element ions within certain concentration ranges to prevent precipitate formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrolytes are used in redox flow batteries, then the battery can operate with standard impurity levels, but precipitate is generated during battery reactions leading to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by strictly controlling the concentration parameters of impurity element ions in the electrolyte. It specifies that the total concentration of impurity element ions contributing to precipitate generation must be 220 mass ppm or less, with individual ion concentrations (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr, Mo, Sb, Ca, Mg, Al, Si, NH4) controlled within specific ranges. This parameter control prevents precipitate formation during battery reactions, maintaining electrode surface area and battery performance stability over repeated charge-discharge cycles.
2Productivity
If impurity concentrations are not controlled, then the electrolyte is easier to manufacture, but the battery output and capacity decrease due to precipitate adhering to electrode surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by establishing specific concentration thresholds for multiple impurity element ions. The total concentration of impurity element ions is controlled at 220 mass ppm or less, with individual ions controlled at specific levels (Fe: 10 ppm or less, Mn: 5 ppm or less, Ni: 2 ppm or less, Cu: 1 ppm or less, Zn: 2 ppm or less, Cr: 5 ppm or less, Mo: 2 ppm or less, Sb: 1 ppm or less, Ca: 10 ppm or less, Mg: 5 ppm or less, Al: 3 ppm or less, Si: 5 ppm or less, NH4: 10 ppm or less). This strict parameter control prevents precipitate generation, thereby maintaining high battery output and capacity throughout operation.
3Reliability
If the total concentration of impurity element ions is reduced to 220 mass ppm or less, then precipitate generation is suppressed, but the electrolyte requires more precise manufacturing control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by defining a comprehensive set of concentration parameters for impurity element ions that must be controlled during electrolyte manufacturing. The total concentration of impurity element ions is set at 220 mass ppm or less, with 13 individual ion concentrations specified (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr, Mo, Sb, Ca, Mg, Al, Si, NH4). This multi-parameter control system ensures precipitate suppression while providing clear manufacturing guidelines for achieving the required purity levels.
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 electrolyte effectively suppresses precipitate generation, thereby maintaining battery performance over time by adjusting the concentrations of heavy and light metal, and non-metal element ions, enhancing energy density and reducing cell resistance.
Implementation Method 1
as battery reactions (charge and discharge operations) are repeated, precipitate derived from active material (hereafter simply referred to as precipitate) is gradually generated
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electrolyte for a redox flow battery, the electrolyte allowing suppression of generation of precipitate during a battery reaction. In the electrolyte for a redox flow battery, the total concentration of impurity element ions contributing to generation of precipitate during a battery reaction is 220 mass ppm or less. In a case where the impurity element ions contributing to generation of precipitate include metal element ions, the total concentration of the metal element ions may be 195 mass ppm or less. In a case where the impurity element ions contributing to generation of precipitate include non-metal element ions, the total concentration of the non-metal element ions may be 21 mass ppm or less.