Rechargeable Oxide Battery Stack with Steam-Hydrogen Reservoir
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rechargeable oxide batteries (ROBs) face challenges in cost-effectiveness, ease of assembly, and temperature resistance due to the high operating temperatures required, leading to complex material choices and component degradation during redox cycles.
Innovation Solution
A modular electrical energy storage system with multiple stacks, each containing an air electrode connected to an air supply and a storage medium, utilizing a water vapor-hydrogen mixture reservoir to simplify gas supply and maintain a controlled environment, preventing gas losses and external inert gas ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a rechargeable oxide battery operates at high temperatures (600°C-800°C) to enable oxygen ion transport through solid electrolyte, then the electrochemical reaction efficiency is improved, but the material degradation and component failure rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into modular stacks, each containing multiple cells arranged in series. Each stack is independently sealed and can be replaced or maintained separately, reducing the impact of high-temperature degradation on the entire system. The modular design allows for easier replacement of degraded components without replacing the entire battery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent operates the battery at optimized temperature ranges (600°C-800°C) and maintains controlled atmospheric conditions (oxidizing atmosphere during discharge, reducing atmosphere during charge) to maximize reaction efficiency while minimizing material degradation. The solid electrolyte composition and electrode structures are specifically designed to withstand these parameter conditions.
2Temperature
If complex material choices and component designs are used to withstand high operating temperatures, then temperature resistance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a unified stack design where interconnector plates serve multiple functions: electrical connection between cells, structural support, and sealing elements. The same basic cell structure and material composition are used across all cells in a stack, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining temperature resistance. The modular stack design allows standardized production of interchangeable units.
3Measurement precision
If individual gas supply systems are provided for each cell, then gas supply control precision is improved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cells within a stack share a common gas supply system through manifold connections. The interconnector plates contain gas channels that distribute oxidizing and reducing atmospheres to multiple cells simultaneously. This merged approach maintains adequate gas supply control while dramatically simplifying the overall system architecture and assembly process compared to individual gas supply lines for each cell.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, easy-to-assemble, and temperature-resistant energy storage system with improved durability and efficiency by maintaining a consistent water vapor-hydrogen mixture, ensuring reliable operation and reducing component degradation.
Implementation Method 1
Hydrogen or a mixture of water vapor and hydrogen could just as easily be fed in at this point, since the mixture that suits the state of charge of the accumulator always adjusts itself
Implementation Method 2
Any gas losses due to leaks are compensated in that the reservoir is connected to a steam line that maintains the pressure in the reservoir
Implementation Method 3
The water vapor-hydrogen reservoir is covered with several stacks and is thermally insulated from the outside. It thus forms a so-called hot box
Implementation Method 4
An overpressure, preferably in the hectopascal range (1 hPa-100 hPa), can also advantageously be present in the water vapor-hydrogen reservoir. This ensures that there is always enough water vapor-hydrogen mixture available for the reaction, and that the inflow or diffusion of air from outside the reservoir or the hot box is prevented by leaks
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical energy store having at least one stack (2) with in each case at least one storage cell (4) which, in turn, comprises an air electrode (6), which is connected to an air supply apparatus (8, 20), and a storage electrode (10), wherein the storage electrode (10) adjoins channels (12) which contain a storage medium (9) and a steam/hydrogen mixture, characterized in that a reservoir (14) of steam/hydrogen is provided, said reservoir being directly connected to the channels (12).