Salt Cavern Flow Battery Airbag Electrolyte Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing salt cavern flow batteries face challenges in efficiently storing electrical energy without polluting underground water resources due to the complex ion composition of saturated brine and varying ion concentrations in different regions, making it difficult to develop suitable electrolytes.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a bilayer airbag with a leak detector and pipelines for filling and discharging liquid electrolyte and brine, which separates the electrolyte from the brine, preventing pollution and optimizing energy storage capacity without modifying the original electrolyte.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the liquid electrolyte is modified to fit the original condition of the salt cavern, then the battery can store electrical energy in the salt cavern, but the complex ion composition of saturated brine makes it difficult to develop suitable electrolytes for all regions
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag serves as an intermediary container that physically separates the liquid electrolyte from the saturated brine in the salt cavern. This mediator allows the battery system to adapt to any salt cavern without requiring electrolyte modification, as the airbag creates an isolated environment where the electrolyte can maintain its original composition while still functioning within the salt cavern environment.
2Quantity of substance
If the heavy metal/sulfuric acid mixture is utilized by the liquid electrolyte, then the battery can achieve high energy storage capacity, but the underground water resource may be polluted
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful heavy metal/sulfuric acid mixture is extracted from direct contact with the saturated brine and underground water resources. By placing the liquid electrolyte containing heavy metals inside a sealed airbag, the harmful substances are removed from the environment where they could cause pollution, while the energy storage function is preserved within the isolated airbag system.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag acts as a protective intermediary barrier between the heavy metal-containing electrolyte and the underground water resources. This mediator prevents direct interaction between the harmful electrolyte components and the environment, eliminating pollution risks while maintaining the high energy storage capacity of the heavy metal-based electrolyte.
3Quantity of substance
If the liquid electrolyte is filled into the salt cavern, then the energy storage capacity is maximized, but the brine and electrolyte cannot be separated leading to pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The salt cavern space is segmented into two distinct zones: the saturated brine environment and the liquid electrolyte containment zone. The airbag creates a clear segmentation boundary that allows maximum filling of the electrolyte for high energy storage capacity while preventing mixing with the brine, thus eliminating pollution from contact between the two substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag serves as an intermediary containment structure that enables the liquid electrolyte to occupy maximum space within the salt cavern while maintaining complete separation from the saturated brine. This mediator allows the system to achieve high energy storage capacity through full electrolyte utilization without the harmful effect of mixing with brine.
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 device effectively reduces energy consumption by separating the electrolyte from brine, preventing underground water pollution, and ensuring large capacity storage without altering the original electrolyte, while the leak detector ensures safety and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
an airbag, wherein the airbag is located in an underground salt cavern, brine is stored in the salt cavern, and a liquid electrolyte is stored in the airbag
Implementation Method 2
The multiple pairs of electrodes are connected with the power supply through wires. The warning light is arranged on the wires. The multiple pairs of electrodes are arranged between the inner membrane and the outer membrane. When the liquid electrolyte or the brine are leaked, it conducts more than one pair of electrodes such that the warning light is powered on.
Data Source
AI summary
Salt caverns with an inner container for storing electrical energy as a flow battery are provided. The salt caverns with an inner container for storing electrical energy as a flow battery comprises an air bag, a second pipeline and a first pipeline. The airbag is located in an underground salt cavern, the salt cavern is full of brine, and a liquid electrolyte is stored in the airbag. One end of the second pipeline is connected with the airbag while the other end thereof is located on the ground, and the second pipeline is used for filling the liquid electrolyte into the airbag. The first pipeline sleeves the second pipeline, one end of the first pipeline is connected with a shaft inlet of the salt cavern while the other end thereof is located on the ground, and the first pipeline is used for discharging the brine from the salt cavern.