Tank-Enclosed Injector Layout for Redox Flow Battery Hydrogen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Redox flow batteries face challenges with hydrogen leakage and backpressure issues due to the placement of injectors external to the electrolyte tank, leading to inefficiencies and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a tank-enclosed injector within the electrolyte tank to manage hydrogen flow, where electrolyte flow through the injector draws hydrogen into the tank, minimizing leakage and reducing backpressure by allowing direct discharge into the tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If injectors are placed external to the electrolyte tank, then hydrogen flow management is achieved, but hydrogen leakage and backpressure issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The injector is merged with the electrolyte tank by positioning it inside the tank rather than externally. This integration eliminates the need for external connections and seals, thereby preventing hydrogen leakage while simplifying the overall system configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The injector is nested within the electrolyte tank structure, with the injector body positioned inside the tank and only the outlet extending outward. This nesting approach contains the hydrogen flow path within the tank environment, preventing leakage at external connection points.
2Productivity
If larger pumps are used to drive gas flow to external injectors, then hydrogen flow is maintained, but parasitic power burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing electrolyte circulation flow to drive hydrogen gas to the injector, rather than requiring a separate gas pump. The electrolyte flow through the injector creates a pressure differential that naturally moves hydrogen, eliminating the need for additional energy-consuming pumping equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes hydraulic principles by employing electrolyte flow to create pressure differential that drives hydrogen gas movement. The flowing electrolyte acts as the driving force, replacing the need for mechanical gas pumping and reducing energy consumption.
3Ease of operation
If external injectors with gas fittings and seals are used, then hydrogen transfer is achieved, but maintenance costs increase due to leakage detection and repair
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the injector with the tank interior, the system eliminates external gas fittings and seals that are prone to leakage. The hydrogen flow path is contained within the tank environment, removing the components that would require maintenance and repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the problematic external connection components (gas fittings, seals, and external piping) from the hydrogen transfer path. By taking out these leakage-prone elements and replacing them with an internal injector configuration, maintenance requirements are significantly reduced.
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 reduces hydrogen leakage, decreases the need for larger pumps, and enhances system efficiency while minimizing maintenance costs by containing gas fittings and seals within the tank.
Implementation Method 1
The injector may be configured to entrain a gas, e.g., hydrogen, into electrolyte flowing from an inlet of the injector to an outlet of the injector
Implementation Method 2
In some examples, the rebalancing system may be a rebalancing reactor configured as trickle bed or jelly roll reactor set up, or the like. Electrolyte including hydrogen gas may contact catalyst within the rebalancing reactor.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for electrolyte health management in a redox flow battery system. In one example, the redox flow battery system includes an injector arranged inside of an electrolyte tank. The injector may be configured to entrain a gas into electrolyte flowing from an inlet of the injector to an outlet of the injector.