Temperature-Controlled Primary Battery Banks for Backup Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional back-up power supply systems are economically inefficient due to the high cost per kilowatt hour of rechargeable batteries, and primary batteries have not been used effectively in these systems due to poor economics, but primary batteries may be more economical for infrequent power outages when considering material costs and prolonged shelf-life through temperature storage.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a plurality of primary battery banks in parallel, with some in long-term storage and others in operable states, using temperature control and electrolyte management to maintain and transition batteries between states, and a controller to monitor conditions and switch power sources based on thresholds, ensuring efficient power delivery during outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rechargeable batteries are used in back-up power supply systems, then power delivery capability is maintained, but cost per kilowatt hour increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple primary battery banks arranged in parallel, where each battery bank can be independently controlled and switched. This allows the system to use cheaper primary batteries while maintaining reliability through redundancy and selective activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of primary batteries by controlling their temperature through refrigeration. By maintaining batteries at low temperatures (below 25°C, preferably between -10°C and 10°C), the system extends shelf life and reduces self-discharge, making primary batteries economically viable for back-up power applications.
2Ease of operation
If primary batteries are stored at room temperature, then they are readily available for use, but shelf life is reduced and self-discharge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of primary batteries before they are needed for power delivery. By pre-refrigerating battery banks and maintaining them in a ready state at low temperatures, the system ensures both extended shelf life and rapid availability when power outages occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration system operates continuously to maintain batteries at optimal low temperatures, ensuring constant readiness for use while simultaneously extending shelf life and minimizing self-discharge throughout the battery's storage and operational lifecycle.
3Reliability
If multiple battery banks are maintained in operable state, then power availability is improved, but cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number and temperature of active battery banks based on real-time monitoring of power outage duration, battery charge levels, and system load requirements. This allows the system to maintain reliability while minimizing energy consumption by activating only the necessary number of battery banks.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration system operates continuously to maintain batteries at optimal low temperatures, ensuring constant readiness for use while simultaneously extending shelf life and minimizing self-discharge throughout the battery's storage and operational lifecycle.
4Loss of energy
If battery transition from storage to operable state is delayed, then energy consumption is reduced, but power delivery response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of primary batteries before they are needed for power delivery. By pre-refrigerating battery banks and maintaining them in a ready state at low temperatures, the system ensures both extended shelf life and rapid availability when power outages occur.
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 improves the economic viability and efficiency of back-up power supply systems by prolonging battery shelf-life and reducing self-discharge, allowing for reliable and cost-effective power provision during power disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of primary battery banks arranged in parallel, including at least one of the primary battery banks maintained in a long term storage state
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of battery condition sensors measure the condition of a corresponding primary battery bank of the plurality of primary battery banks
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Systems and methods of monitoring and controlling a back-up power supply are provided. The back-up power supply can include an uninterruptible power supply system (100) configured with a plurality (155) of primary battery banks (160a-d) maintained in long-term storage and a working battery maintained in an operable state. The back-up power supply system (145) can monitor the condition of a first working battery to determine if the condition is below a performance threshold or a capacity threshold. The uninterruptible power supply system (100) can transition a primary battery bank previously maintained in long-term storage to an operable state and designate the transitioned primary battery as a second working battery. The uninterruptible power supply system (100) can switch the source of power provided by the back-up power supply from the first working battery to the second working battery.