Solid Energy Carrier Storage via Electrolysis and Oxidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for storing electrical energy from inconstant sources, such as wind and solar power, face inefficiencies and safety concerns, particularly with hydrogen storage, which has low efficiency and environmental risks due to the reactivity of alkali and alkaline earth metals used in existing solid-state energy storage methods.
Innovation Solution
A closed technological cycle involving an electrolysis-based reduction segment at room temperature to form a solid energy carrier from a chloride salt solution, followed by an oxidation segment where the energy is released as hydrogen, with support processes for regeneration and heat recuperation, using chemically stable and non-reactive metals like iron or zinc, ensuring a high volume energy density and environmental safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored compressed or liquefied to achieve higher energy density, then the volume energy density is improved, but the energy demand and complexity of the storage system increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the energy carrier from gaseous (hydrogen) to solid (metal particles), fundamentally altering the storage requirements and energy density characteristics without requiring compression or liquefaction processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces metal particles as an intermediary substance that absorbs hydrogen to form metal hydrides, enabling energy storage in solid form without requiring direct compression or liquefaction of hydrogen gas
2Quantity of substance
If alkali and alkaline earth metals are used in solid-state energy storage to achieve high energy density, then the volume energy density is improved, but safety concerns arise due to the reactivity of these metals
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical stability parameter by selecting metals from the iron group (Fe, Co, Ni) which have lower reactivity compared to alkali and alkaline earth metals, while maintaining high energy density through solid-state hydrogen storage
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses abundant, low-cost metals from the iron group that are less reactive and safer to handle, replacing expensive and hazardous alkali/alkaline earth metals, accepting that the material may need periodic replacement while gaining safety and cost benefits
3Productivity
If electrolysis is performed at elevated temperatures to improve reaction kinetics, then the reduction speed is improved, but the energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter to room temperature operation, using electrochemical reduction in aqueous electrolyte solutions that proceed at practical rates without thermal activation, thereby eliminating the need for elevated temperature heating systems
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 method achieves high energy efficiency and safety by storing electrical energy in a solid form with minimal losses over time, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution that exceeds the energy density of traditional fuels like kerosene, with a closed substance cycle and zero material deposition.
Implementation Method 1
The method comprises the following segments: (i) a reduction segment in which, from an electrolyte solution consisting of a chloride salt solution and an energy carrier, a reduction of energy carrier ions is performed at room temperature until a solid energy carrier is formed
Implementation Method 2
followed by an oxidation segment where the energy is released as hydrogen
Implementation Method 3
with support processes for regeneration and heat recuperation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The method includes two technological segments (i) a reduction segment and (ii) an oxidation segment that are interconnected by various support technological processes for the regeneration of solutions and gases and heat recuperation. The reduction segment includes an electrolysis that is performed from a solution of chloride salts of an energy carrier. During the electrolysis, these elements reduce to a lower oxidation state, solidify on the electrodes or precipitate to a solid state. The solid substance thus obtained is the energy carrier that can be stored outside of the electrolyser until a need for additional energy emerges. During the electrolysis, chlorine gas develops that is collected and dissolved in water. An HC1 solution is regenerated, which is used in the oxidation segment. Oxygen is released in this process. The energy that has thus been stored in the oxidation potential of the energy carrier is released during a spontaneous chemical reaction between the energy carrier and the HC1 solution in the oxidation segment. In this chemical reaction, the oxidation state of the chemical elements which constitute the energy carrier is increased to an oxidation state identical to that from before the beginning of the electrolysis. The reaction product hydrogen is formed that represents a high calorific fuel. This fuel can be immediately converted to heat or electrical energy, without a need for intermediate storage, by known methods. Only water enters the entire method, oxygen and hydrogen leave, while the cycle is closed/cyclic for the remaining substances.