Segmented Solid Electrolyte Energy Storage Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage technologies for renewable firming applications lack cost-effectiveness and scalability to meet the demands of high penetration of renewable energy sources in the electrical grid, requiring a solution that can provide power density and operational life while being environmentally friendly.
Innovation Solution
The development of an energy storage device with a housing containing a plurality of solid electrolyte elements, where each element defines a cathode chamber and multiple anode chambers in ionic communication, with at least one anode chamber evacuated to below atmospheric pressure, optimizing power density and reducing internal resistance through geometric design and materials selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional sodium-metal-halide or sodium-sulfur devices are used, then energy storage is achieved, but power density is limited and cost-effectiveness is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple anode chambers (first, second, third anode chambers) separated by solid electrolyte elements, allowing independent optimization of each chamber's function. This segmentation enables the first anode chamber to be evacuated for high power density while other chambers operate at atmospheric pressure, resolving the contradiction between achieving high power density and maintaining manageable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the device are assigned different pressure conditions - the first anode chamber is evacuated to below atmospheric pressure to maximize power density, while second and third anode chambers operate at atmospheric pressure. This local differentiation allows the device to achieve high overall power density without requiring the entire device structure to be optimized for vacuum conditions, thus managing complexity
2Productivity
If multiple anode chambers are added to increase power density, then power capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple anode chambers are merged into a single integrated device structure sharing common components such as the housing, cathode chamber, and thermal management system. This merging approach allows the device to achieve high energy storage capacity through multiple chambers while avoiding proportional increases in overall complexity, as shared components serve multiple functions simultaneously
3Reliability
If solid electrolyte elements are used, then operational life is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solid electrolyte elements are pre-formed and pre-characterized before assembly into the final device. This preliminary preparation allows for quality control and optimization of the electrolyte properties independently from the device assembly process, improving operational life while managing manufacturing complexity by separating material fabrication from device integration
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 enhances power density by up to five times compared to conventional sodium-metal-halide or sodium-sulfur devices, improves thermal management, and ensures efficient energy storage and release, making it suitable for scalable renewable firming applications.
Implementation Method 1
Each solid electrolyte element has a first surface that defines at least a portion of a first, cathodic chamber, and a second surface that defines a second, anodic chamber so that a plurality of individual anode chambers are provided. Each anode chamber is in ionic communication with the cathode chamber through its corresponding solid electrolyte element.
Implementation Method 2
At least one anode chamber is evacuated to a pressure below atmospheric pressure.
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of solid electrolyte elements disposed in the volume. Each solid electrolyte element has a first surface that defines at least a portion of a first chamber, and a second surface that defines a plurality of second chambers.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage device includes a housing having an interior surface defining a volume and a plurality of solid electrolyte elements disposed in the volume. Each solid electrolyte element has a first surface that defines at least a portion of a first, cathodic chamber, and a second surface that defines a second, anodic chamber. A plurality of individual anodic chambers are thus provided, at least one of which is evacuated below atmospheric pressure. A majority of anodic chambers can be spaced from one another in a manner that provides a substantially uniform reaction rate throughout the cathodic chamber. The housing and the plurality of solid electrolyte elements together may be configured to define a second volume devoid of solid electrolyte elements and that is sufficient in size to accommodate a desired number of solid electrolyte elements and to provide an accessible cathodic chamber filling point and that is further sufficient in size to alter the volume of the cathodic chamber with respect to the volume of the plurality of anodic chambers to achieve a desired volumetric ratio between the cathodic and anodic chambers.